[ { "movie": "saw_VI", "reviews": [ "editor-turned-director kevin greutert shows confidence behind the camera -- still , one can only hope that jigsaw 's gruesome pecksniffian pedagogy gets a taste of its own blade soon .", "for the next installment , i think jigsaw should time travel into the past and mess with the ancestors of his enemies . that would be cool !", "sixth film in revenge series is just as bloody as the rest .", "the saw series long ago cannibalized its cleverest bloodbath gimmicks , but now it 's figured out a new way to torture us : by taking a barb-wire stab at political relevance .", "headache-inducing , and featuring one of the worst d-movie performances of the aughts from costas mandylor , the latest `` saw '' franchise addition is more of the same torture-punishment-rehab-porn audiences have come to expect .", "saw movies and halloween go together like ho and hum .", "when torture porn becomes as snooze-inducing as lecture hall , it 's time to call it a day .", "a clear improvement over its two most recent predecessors ...", "MOV is , pardon the pun , a cut above the rest but not , sadly , by much .", "if you have n't followed the series up until now , there 's not much point in trying to catch up .", "a welcome return to enjoyable horror fare for a series that seemed to have lost its way .", "it 's been three films since they killed off jigsaw , the putative psycho-killer of the saw series of slasher films . so at this point , they literally are beating a dead horse .", "` MOV ' proves to be the one to pull the series out of its tailspin . film no. 6 is not only good , it 's really good .", "would make a good co-feature with michael moore 's ` sicko , ' as self-righteous maniac jigsaw -- apparently a fan of the public option -- plays his bloody , lethal ` games ' with health insurance professionals who deny coverage to the needy .", "MOV 's story is now so ugly and bent out of shape , it 's impossible to follow - more fool you for trying .", "it 's strange that a few people have been saying that this entry is a step in the right direction for the franchise . the only right step this franchise could take would be to end .", "it 's funny , but the thing that the series seems to have lost track of amidst all the soap opera and moralizing is the idea that these are horror films .", "thrives on extreme , ghastly gore as its primary motivation , making all other concerns secondary ; in essence , it 's more an endurance test than it is a movie .", "do n't have a desire to see victims ripped limb-from-limb , cut in half and watch their insides spill out onto the floor ? avoid MOV at all costs .", "MOV is the sixth saw i 've seen , and maybe the sickest .", "they keep reviving dead characters to keep the poor excuse for a story going . when will it all end ? jigsaw is dead , everyone 's dead . please make it stop ! paul chambers , cnn .", "embora ainda n\u0103o tenha assumido o tom de auto-par\u00f3dia que eventualmente envolve toda franquia do g\u0119nero , a s\u00e9rie j\u00e1 come\u00e7ou h\u00e1 muito a provocar risos involunt\u00e1rios .", "for lionsgate , it remains a good time to be in the saw business .", "MOV does n't come close to reigniting the spark of the original , but at least it approaches coherence , which is more than can be said for the last several installments of the series .", "a vast improvement over the previous two installments of the series taking on the health insurance industry in the series ' first overtly political statement .", "revenge of the uninsured in this health insurance horror , and we 're not talking medical malpractice . while death panels and death penalties alike abound in this surgical slasher spree without benefit of anesthesia , and that goes for the audience too .", "after six installments , it 's not exactly cutting edge .", "who knew that the franchise 's creators would eventually find a plot twist that made sense ?", "at one point , i did roll my eyes and think that the movie might be going too far . but then i realized they had been going too far for years . that 's what makes them still edgy .", "adding a layer of social significance is n't the worst strategy for a franchise that keeps piling on the convoluted mythos , yet has n't changed its risible mix of mechanized death and tongue-clucking morality .", "parental content review", "... one of the best and most fascinating in the series .", "where saw 6 earns a few points over its predecessors is in its devotion to simple but effective gallows humor .", "new director kevin greutert does something just a little bit different , and more daring , with the level of tension and the payoffs .", "the never-ending saw horror franchise continues . sigh . fans and non-fans will get exactly what they expect , and not much more .", "would it kill these producers to take a few chances for the next adventure ? it 's easy to loathe a saw picture , but to be utterly bored by one seems an unpardonable offense .", "the tension missing from recent installments is back , thanks to an inventive narrative that manages to tie up the ever-evolving saga 's loose ends .", "a film so frighteningly familiar it could well be called saw it already .", "in what was originally slated to be the final chapter , the latest installment keeps the traps interesting but leaves the back story running thin .", "who can expect something worthy of good reviews after the sixth installment ? that said , i 'm assuming the creators of saw walked into the movie deciding , ` we 're going to make a stupid , gory movie and everyone will watch it because it 's halloween ! '", "the usual critiques apply : terrible acting , zero suspense , laughable logic and the promise of another one next year .", "michael moore would have a field day with this latest installment , where the writers tackle the health care system with jigsaw as an answer .", "a triumph -lrb- a very relative triumph -rrb- for two reasons : first , it is not so confusing as saw iv , and second , it is not so sleepy and wholly pointless as saw v.", "this script , by marcus dunstan and patrick melton , has a more lyrical bent , and a more satiric bite , than any of the other saw sequels .", "the best entry in the series since saw ii .", "intense , relentlessly horrifying , disgusting and often implausible , but surprisingly intriguing at times .", "the tawdry use of important real-life social issues in the service of what amounts to nothing more than another exercise in malignant sadism makes this picture even worse than earlier episodes .", "while the social commentary is as shallow as ever , the film 's overall quality is better than the last two installments . that is n't saying much , but it 's something .", "MOV plays like the last gasp for relevance of a heavy-metal series that has not only gone regurgitation-rusty but seems lacking much of a will to live .", "in the sixth installment the series gets political , pointing a finger at the health care system .", "these movies lack a whole lot of panache .", "... a worthy and faithful entry in a franchise which at this point seems expressly designed to document people dying in increasingly inventive ways .", "the series has done worse , but on the annual tradition fun scale saw still ranks somewhere between filing taxes and throwing out old , rotting pumpkins .", "`` saw '' movies gave up on being scary several episodes ago , but there 's no suspense or surprise either . watching its grim procession of carnage is like sticking with a favorite pro football team for the last 8 games after it 's already clear they 're doomed .", "in the end , MOV is faithful to the franchise and the twist/finale are 100 % satisfying . saw fans will walk out of the theater with their fists in the air with the feeling that they 've reclaimed their beloved franchise .", "no longer just gruesome but also morally bloodied , this franchise about games of death aimed at those who need to understand the value of life - grinds along , wringing out whatever cash is left in the original idea .", "MOV is able to stand on its own as a wild and brutal thrill ride .", "the nicest thing that you can say about it is that it is n't quite as contemptuous of its audience as the incredibly lazy and unnecessary `` saw v '' was .", "the latest installment of the movie franchise is as customer-service-oriented as ever .", "the good news : it is easily a step up from the worthless , dirge-worthy likes of saw iv and saw v . the not-so-good news , then , is that the film is still unnecessary and convoluted , the series having long since run out of steam and freshness .", "well , i guess there 's something more frightening than life-threatening , mutilating ` games ' you 're forced to play as you struggle to remain alive . and that , of course , is the state of health care in the united states .", "... this more straightforward sequel finally ties up the loose ends , without the gratuitous red-herrings or continuity distortions that have become tedious trademarks ." ], "summary": "it wo n't earn the franchise many new fans , but MOV is a surprising step up for what has become an intricately grisly annual tradition .", "id": "770797724" }, { "movie": "beyond_the_mat", "reviews": [ "this is the best documentary since hoop dreams", "the film is more interesting the more intently one looks at it .", "a center ring extravaganza of smackdown movie entertainment .", "sometimes , you find material for a good movie in the most unlikely place .", "for the first time in the history of our sport , a filmmaker has finally had the foresight to focus on the very contradictions that make professional wrestlers so damn interesting .", "a fascinating new documentary .", "a hilarious and heartbreaking documentary .", "surprisingly riveting .", "a very good film that both wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans will enjoy .", "barry blaustein takes a long , hard look at pro wrestling and , while not making me a newborn fan of the sport , he taught me the intensity and sacrifice of those who enter the ring .", "a gently and genuinely observed film whose subject is a garish , artificial display of mayhem .", "we tour the all-pro wrestling school in california and philadelphia 's fearsome extreme championships , but it 's the studies blaustein makes of several wrestlers that root the film .", "blaustein , foley and funk layeth the smack well and truly down .", "documentaries are almost always more interesting if the filmmakers fess up about their relationship to the subject , as unabashed pro-wrestling fan barry blaustein does in this naively made , compelling homage to the sport .", "wwf documentary is ok for older teens .", "am engrossing watch , but it 's far from the most fascinating and incisive look at its subject .", "soft , repetitive to a fault , and narrated by its maker in tones of wistful awe that seem totally inappropriate to its subject .", "a fascinating and often funny look at a world many of us have never imagined , let alone seen .", "MOV is crazily entertaining .", "to my own immense surprise , i find myself giving the thumbs-up to hollywood screenwriter-turned-director barry w. blaustein 's documentary about professional wrestling .", "it 's hard to explain why a movie about wrestlers is so compelling , but it 's probably the same thing that makes the wwf itself so popular .", "surprisingly candid , comprehensive and , most of all , emotional expos\u00e9 of the wrestling business .", "so tired and dated .", "i guarantee you will never watch smackdown without thinking about what is going on MOV .", "the film is sometimes riveting -- and sometimes hard to watch .", "MOV takes all the fun out of the insanity that is wrestling .", "the wrestlers are cannier than blaustein probably gives them credit for ; they seem to be offering up their backstage lives to him in ways that mimic the soppiest of melodramas , and he falls for it .", "it 's too close-up .", "blaustein suggests wrestling 's appeal -- as a kind of primal spectacle closer to parades and pageants than any accepted form of sport -- without wondering at all why he finds it compelling .", "a biased story of a billion-dollar industry that must have tons of skeletons in its closet . but it did n't even open the closet door .", "a surprisingly engrossing , behind-the-scenes look at some of wrestling 's current and former stars .", "MOV is frighteningly , grippingly real .", "it 's the most entertaining look at its world since pumping iron took on body-building .", "the real meat of the movie comes in the many intimate moments that blaustein 's camera catches .", "it has a hypnotic quality .", "fans of roberts or funk may be interested to see what these men are like when not performing , but others may find it simply boring . their stories are not especially compelling in the human-interest department ; they 're for fans only .", "it centres on the distinctive , disturbing , weird , unnerving universe that is american wrestling which primarily presents legitimised violence as entertainment .", "MOV does what the wrestling game , with its manufactured personas , does n't . it stays with the wrestlers until we start seeing them as people .", "it may be more than you ever wanted to know about the subject of professional wrestling .", "the rampant hucksterism of big-time wrestling is in a long american tradition , and MOV is a very smart first step in opening the subject up to clearer view .", "blaustein paints a complex picture of professional wrestling and shrewdly transforms the ridiculous into the sublime .", "MOV wants to blend thrills and pathos , getting at the many sides of what is , as mr. blau stein describes it , a carny act . the problem is that he does n't articulate any of his own thoughts beyond a few slight asides .", "turns out to be less interested in the cartoonish brutality of pro wrestling than it is with the lives of the people who make their living in the ring .", "the first part of the film is more than worth the price of admission .", "MOV is an eye-opening experience .", "the film manages to put a pin on pro wrestling 's harsh realities .", "MOV studies the forces that drive men to continually climb in the ring to hurt each other -- the action may be choreographed , blaustein emphasizes , but the blood is real .", "it grabs professional wrestling by the throat and rarely lets go .", "an unexpected little gem .", "blaustein 's documentary about championship wrestling is as voyeuristic , artificial and perversely compelling as the sport itself .", "hugely entertaining and genuinely informative .", "it 's a fascinating , if ultimately depressing , look at this violent , incorrigibly-low-brow sports entertainment .", "the documentary is quite easy to watch .", "unfortunately blaustein is n't an experienced enough film-maker to make much of such material .", "... an easygoing , straightforward film without too many surprises", "every bit as good as the best docos of the last five years .", "entertaining and twisted .", "blaustein and his film have at least put a human face on those monstrous countenances that snarl out from our television sets on saturday afternoons .", "MOV transcends its subject , pro wrestling , to become a wrenching , sobering , emotional glimpse at the lives of some men trapped by the aging process .", "this film 's grizzled exterior masks a sensitive , family-oriented personality .", "MOV thoroughly evaluates the non-sport from a fan 's point of view .", "this is a first-rate documentary , and one of the few which is worth going to the theater for .", "funny and touching documentary .", "friendly , soft-hitting documentary .", "two broken thumbs up .", "blaustein 's respect for his subjects and the sensitivity he applies makes this an involving and even uplifting humanisation of a grotesque form of entertainment ." ], "summary": "even if you are n't a fan , MOV provides a riveting , perceptive look into the world of professional wrestling by taking a closer look at the people beneath the personas .", "id": "17875" }, { "movie": "crouching_tiger_hidden_dragon", "reviews": [ "within five minutes of the opening you 'll wonder when was the last time you felt so alive , so excited in a cinema .", "it 's fantastic !", "the smartest and smartest-looking action movie of the year .", "it 's abundantly clear that lee , in conjunction with fight choreographer yuen wo-ping -lrb- famed for the matrix -rrb- , has brought to these standard tropes his own elevating , near-feline sensibilities .", "it 's a feeling akin to seeing peter pan fly for the first time or watching the first light-saber duel in star wars .", "ang lee 's crouching tiger , hidden dragon mixes in the mood for love 's unobtainable romance with dancer in the dark 's selfless-to-the-end philosophy .", "... my expectations were high , and i was n't disappointed .", "lo and behold . an action movie that is n't about ` seize the day ' or ` follow your heart ' opportunism .", "you 've never seen a martial arts film like this one .", "a haunting , tragic fairy tale for the ages .", "coolly elegant , slyly humorous and visually breathtaking ... if there 's such a thing as inspired silliness , this picture surely embodies it .", "crouching tiger , hidden dragon will make you fall in love with film all over again .", "defines the term ` something for everyone , ' and , what 's more , it accomplishes this rare feat in a way that will leave you breathless .", "rare is a film of such incontestable quality and effervescent potency that the viewer immediately wants to watch it again .", "crouching tiger is a fine introduction to the genre for newcomers , though specialists might find it thin in comparison to the real thing .", "whenever crouching tiger , hidden dragon resorts to flying fists or soaring sword battles , the force is definitely with it .", "packed with some of the best martial arts yet filmed .", "a sumptuous , sexy , sensational experience that richly deserves to be acclaimed as one of the top films of 2000 .", "bruce who ? once you enter this dragon , you 'll quickly realize there are some serious new masters in town .", "a magnificently-crafted hybrid of chinese historical epic , f/x-enhanced martial arts spectacular , mystical romantic tragedy and live-action anime .", "as soon as the action stops , the actors start to slowly , painfully slowly , drone on with some of the most lifeless dialog of the year .", "awesome , awesome battles , beautifully shot and an okay story .", "love , pathos , fear and humour are all brilliantly evoked -- for this is not simply a great martial arts movie , this is an ang lee film .", "once we get a taste of that action , we want buckets of it .", "with its gift for showing things that ca n't be described , crouching tiger 's blend of the magical , the mythical and the romantic fills a need in us we might not even realize we had .", "fun to watch because it does n't take itself so seriously , while maintaining high production values .", "a near-masterpiece , replete with marvelously fanciful images and a touching love story .", "the class act of action movies .", "the most exhilarating martial arts movie i have seen .", "crouching tiger , hidden dragon is a magical dream of a martial arts epic . it surpasses any you 've ever seen .", "lee has made more than an exotic yarn . he has liberated conventional moviemaking .", "once in a great while , a movie engages us so thoroughly that we slip the surly bonds of earth and experience a rare moment of transcendence . crouching tiger , hidden dragon is such a movie .", "one of the best adventure movies of the last decade , crouching tiger , hidden dragon is also gravely , eerily beautiful : poetic and moving in ways that we usually do n't associate with violent genre films .", "crouching tiger is like an animated calligraphic scroll and taoist painting . you can feel physically empowered , yet your spirit is seduced by something more subtle .", "lee 's supreme achievement , an elegant film that both physically and spiritually redefines its genre .", "may be the one kung-fu film that legitimizes the genre as bona fide cinema without selling out entirely .", "even nonfans of martial-arts movies will want to cheer the fight scenes , which are sheer visual poetry .", "simply blow away every martial arts flick ever made .", "crouching tiger , hidden dragon is what hong kong film fans have been waiting for : a martial-arts movie for adults .", "ang lee 's crouching tiger makes up for the disappointment of phantom menace .", "an astonishing movie , a melodrama of passion and loss that literally lifts you into the skies .", "the film has a stately and dignified feel that 's only enhanced by the solid performances .", "the screenplay delivers with several story lines intermingled , all evoking the full spectrum of human emotion .", "a good story , attractive and likable stars , and great action do make this one of the season 's best entertainment values .", "a feast for the eyes and ears that rarely slows down .", "even without the exhilarating action sequences , michelle yeoh 's powerful , stoic performance is a wonder to behold in itself .", "-lsb- an -rsb- incredibly rich story of courage , love , and identity along with some dynamite fight sequences .", "so good , it reminds you how the best films transport you to another world .", "ziyi is a force of nature .", "astonishing choreography and action .", "going into the film , i was prepared to be awed by the spectacular martial-arts sequences . but what caught me by surprise was how emotionally invested i became in the characters .", "a film of sublime beauty , poetic mystery and rousing spirit .", "forget all your preconceived notions of what martial-arts films used to be like . this is what all future martial-arts films should be like .", "it is poetry in motion , a dreamwork .", "one of those wonders of imagination and craft that confirm your wildest dreams about the magic of movies .", "by tapping into responses so primal they feel like magic , lee 's movie reminds you that the medium is never more powerful than when it makes myth feel fresh and new .", "the first fight scene , which brings all the principals together , will make you want to applaud . and each action sequence builds on what has come before , increasing the stakes with a dignified hilarity .", "the film never ceases to dazzle our eyes and arrest our attention .", "an epic work of accomplished skill and grace .", "you need a roadmap to find the hidden masterpiece .", "despite the high-wire acts above the roofs and trees , ang lee brings sense and sensibility to these energetic scenes .", "an action picture with a huge heart", "it 's the matrix spliced with david lean", "a ravishing fairy tale/epic , and the best movie of the year .", "this is an exciting , mystical , romantic surprise of a film that really puts the ` art ' in ` martial arts . '", "it 's pure indiana jones fun with an unexpected sense of consequence .", "it 's pulp fiction presented in a grand , knowingly humorous style distinguished by star power , a strong female slant and the latest in stunts and effects .", "it is truly one of a kind , and that is why it stands out .", "if you 're in the mood for a beautifully photographed melodrama punctuated by dazzling martial arts sequences , then get ready for some big fun .", "if you ca n't find something in this movie to set your heart aflutter , call the doctor .", "with his latest film , lee has created a lyrical fairy tale for adults , a sublime synthesis of martial arts action with dramatic sophistication .", "the film has so many different elements that there 's enough in it to appeal to almost everyone .", "there 's an ethereal dramatic effect here that transcends a primary function of imagination and storytelling .", "often imitated , never equaled , `` crouching tiger '' soars because it showcases culture as much as cutting-edge martial arts . unfinished business , unspoken passions and unwanted prejudices stand beside fists -lrb- and feet -rrb- of fury in a lyrical film .", "lee brought a distinct elegance to the wuxia genre of mythic , lyrical martial arts pictures ... a breathtaking visual and emotional experience for the viewer ... -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "the movie is good , sometimes very good , but i suspect it 's a masterpiece only for those who have n't seen all the earlier masterpieces that equal or surpass it .", "a film that works on many levels , be it action , drama , or romance , crouching tiger , hidden dragon is recommended viewing for anyone who likes their martial arts with some heart and soul .", "i 'm glad to join the ranks of fans who continue to be breath taken with this incredible epic .", "ang lee 's crowd-pleasing martial arts actioner is captivating and thrilling from beginning to end .", "amazing , magical martial arts fairy tale .", "high art meets high spirits in a rapturously romantic epic that really kicks butt .", "a truly stunning blend of classic chinese martial-arts moviemaking and modern psychodrama .", "what is pleasantly unexpected is how effortlessly ang lee 's low-key dramatics mesh with the kinetic sword battles .", "a nearly perfect film , and at this writing -lrb- december 17 -rrb- it looks to me like the best of the year .", "el tigre y el drag\u00f3n es simple y sencillamente una obra maestra y una de las razones de la existencia del bien llamado s\u00e9ptimo arte", "this one has it all : adventure , romance , spectacle , morality .", "the cast was superb .", "it 's an action movie that does n't try to blow you out of your seat ... , but rather it captures you in suspended awe for prolonged periods of time .", "successfully applies its fantastical elements to develop story , character , and a kind of poetic license that captures the beauty of its own spirit .", "both an exhilarating action movie and a sweeping romantic epic .", "within age-old contrivances emerge deeply affecting characters . poetry .", "success is destined for this movie because it has a mix of romance , fantasy , and action that will appeal to all audiences regardless of age , sex , or whether they watch many subtitled films .", "a film that takes you on a bareback horse-ride waltz through beauty .", "ang lee tries a little martial arts on for size with jaw-droppingly exhilarating results .", "the fight scenes are as enchantingly imagined as they are astonishingly executed .", "soaring and romantic , wild and serene , feminist and gutsy , crouching tiger , hidden dragon is one of the best movies of the year .", "just might be one of the best kung fu movies ever made .", "a finely wrought flight of fancy .", "splashes across the big screen like no other martial arts movie you 've ever seen .", "it is such an imaginative melange with such spectacular effects that it makes the matrix look rote by comparison .", "it 's wondrous the way this movie cooks on so many levels at once .", "chow reveals astonishing depths . but the revelation is yeoh .", "it 's rare to find a film that satisfies our craving for pop while giving us the transcendence of poetry .", "it 's a sugar high , fast , simple , polished and energetic .", "you may never see a more beautiful movie - and certainly no more majestic film has yet been made .", "you could search long and hard and not find a more magnificent dragon . it will catch you when you are n't expecting it and pounce on you like a tiger", "a captivating , thoroughly enjoyable , romantic romp .", "`` crouching tiger , hidden dragon '' is a mythical story with modern ideas . each image is beautifully crafted and memorable .", "sit down to watch crouching tiger , hidden dragon , and enter into ang lee 's enchanted cinema .", "the entire thing is a tapestry you can stare at for hours .", "despite scrupulous attention to expository detail , lee fails to dramatize the conflict within jen , or any of the characters .", "banish all thoughts of chow yun fat and michelle yeoh as shoot 'em up action heroes .", "the film is a composite of so many genres , techniques , and age-old conceits that it ca n't help but miss each and every one by a mile .", "crouching tiger , hidden dragon kicks all living ass .", "think back and try to recall the last time you saw a hero on the screen who stepped aside to serve others by making himself a zero .", "like being absorbed into the pages of every adventure story you loved as a child .", "beautiful and elegant ; marvelously shot and directed ; touching , humorous , and thrilling , crouching tiger , hidden dragon is the movie of the year .", "not since sandy duncan 's version of `` peter pan '' has such a cinematic masterpiece been caught on film .", "its breathtaking landscapes and tense physical confrontations feel like throwbacks to spaghetti -lrb- sergio leone -rrb- and bread and butter -lrb- john ford -rrb- westerns .", "our new century is n't very old yet , but the remaining 98 years will be hard pressed to find a more rapturous movie than ang lee 's sumptuous new triumph .", "quite simply , it blew me away .", "a firebrand of a movie , bold , dramatic , and haunting .", "os personagens da hist\u00f3ria acabam tornando-se mais not\u00e1veis do que suas pr\u00f3prias qualidades como lutadores .", "the mixture of poetry in motion combined with the hair raising thrill of the cliffhanger are what make crouching tiger , hidden dragon one of the best films of the year .", "the crossover hit that -lrb- quite rightly -rrb- started all those high-flying wire-fu action pictures . with the redoubtable chow yun-fat and michelle yeoh .", "a movie that casts a flickering spell from the very outset , not with colorful excess but with restraint .", "you have never seen a movie like crouching tiger , hidden dragon because there has never been a movie like it .", "calling crouching tiger , hidden dragon a religious experience may be overstating the case a bit , but ang lee 's rhapsodically romantic martial arts enthraller certainly redeems a slew of sins in this lackluster movie year .", "-lsb- if -rsb- you 've always turned up your nose at martial-arts films . you may find yourself converted .", "masterpiece .", "crouching tiger , hidden dragon is n't just one of the best movies of the year ; it 's one of the best movies , period .", "a first-rate chinese action film that can stand with the best .", "the film satisfies on both visceral and emotional levels .", "a terrific movie .", "a waking dream of truly operatic dimensions ." ], "summary": "the movie that catapulted ang lee into the ranks of upper echelon hollywood filmmakers , crouching tiger , hidden dragon features a deft mix of amazing martial arts battles , beautiful scenery , and tasteful drama .", "id": "10267" }, { "movie": "the_story_of_the_weeping_camel", "reviews": [ "gentle and amusing .", "there are few animals on this planet more photogenic than camels , with their big expressive eyes , comically lumbering gait and ungainly humps .", "it 's astonishing , really , just how resonant and universal the young camel 's struggle for its mother 's affection is , not to mention how easily viewers can ascribe human emotions to the camels ' behavior .", "mixing documentary and staged footage , -lsb- the -rsb- movie is irresistibly beguiling , in large part because of the simplicity of its story .", "part ethnographic study and part fable .", "just a little too slow moving for me .", "an unusual , captivating and crowd-pleasing semi-documentary .", "it has the cute quotient , but it does more than spur cries of ` awww . ' the film is a healthy dose of cultural enrichment .", "-lsb- t -rsb- he truly hypnotic aspect of this austerely beautiful film is the exoticness of its landscape , both geographical and cultural .", "it 's a beautiful blend of documentary footage , dramatic tension and traditional storytelling , highlighted with social commentary and plenty of camel folklore .", "a touching curiosity", "this wonderful mongolian film is a total delight from start to finish ; it speaks volumes about the ties that bind human beings and animals together .", "the title of this movie is n't a metaphor . the filmmakers have actually made a movie about a pale and needy newborn camel whose mother ignores it .", "beyond its rare visions of remote vistas , camel 's great charm lies in its seeming simplicity .", "it is a zen movie experience par excellence .", "it 's a sad , funny , sometimes brutal look at the way in which the animal world and human world occasionally intersect to their mutual benefit .", "the vivid fictional specifics , and the simple loveliness of the artless performances by nonactor mongolian nomads , attest to the filmmakers ' abundant artistry .", "a rhythmic ode to togetherness , non-cynical communication , and the power of mother 's milk .", "a film of quiet depth and lyrical beauty .", "it 's a tale of two coexisting species , camels and humans , and it 's surprisingly fascinating , funny and emotional .", "from an animal lover 's point of view .", "as unique as the title animal : unrushed as a donkey , shaggy as a llama , sturdy as a horse -- and , it turns out , with a sensitive soft spot for music . who 'd ` a thunk ?", "un relato extraordinario , revelador de la naturaleza humana -lrb- y animal -rrb- , a medio camino entre el registro documental y el realismo po\u00e9tico .", "this quirky docudrama speaks a more universal language : who does not feel for a child abandoned by his mother ?", "exudes a subtle spiritual power .", "a charmer", "as the film unspools at its slow , observational pace , the effect is almost therapeutic , like sinking into a warm bath .", "not a lot happens , but it 's different and watchable -lrb- in a ` day in the life of a nomad ... next on the discovery channel ' sort of way -rrb- .", "simple yet charming .", "beautiful and compassionate tale of nomadic peoples that ranks with the best of robert flaherty 's documentaries .", "the film works reasonably well as a travelogue , an interesting glimpse into a culture few outsiders have seen .", "the film 's success rests largely on the shoulders of this engaging clan who , unlike most reality television stars , pays no attention to the cameras .", "it 's hard to find anything negative to say about such a sweet picture without feeling like a horse 's *** .", "a beautiful little film that hovers somewhere between eye-popping documentary and warm-hearted fable .", "to read review visit www.emanuellevy.com", "like flaherty 's work , the film traverses a narrow line between dramatic staging and the observation of real life in a way that ... reveals a unique cultural identity .", "a quiet , generally absorbing tale that immerses its viewers in a community of camel herders and goat farmers that still puts great stock in ancient legends and rituals .", "maravilhosamente fotografado , este document\u00e1rio de formato at\u00edpico emociona gra\u00e7as \u0155 vida simples de seus protagonistas e ao drama de um pequeno camelo branco . surpreendente .", "it 's an awe-inspiring vacation that sends us back to our homes with a better sense of the world 's mysteries and magnificence .", "mystical documentary ; one of the year 's 10 best", "surprisingly moving stuff .", "lovers of the discovery channel should find this adorable .", "stately and slow , the human and animal protagonists win us over in this plainspoken , non-manipulative film .", "this is a delightful honestly fascinating piece of work . beleive it or not , the camel deserves an oscar .", "a fascinating docu-drama set in the gobi desert at a time when old folkways still hold sway over encroaching modernity .", "a graceful plaintiveness that positively reverberates with authenticity .", "could have made a really sweet short documentary , is , instead , a long , relatively uneventful film that tries viewers ' patience .", "the truths shown here about the shared human experience are as big as the story being told is small .", "the characters are charming , the colours of the carpets in their yurts colourful and the emphasis on family inescapable .", "... a little magical true-life fable , probably as strange to most of us as video games to dude and ugna .", "chances are , if you 're susceptible to this movie 's gentle charms , you 'll weep when the camel does .", "a simple and radiant piece of humanism .", "its slow , delicate pacing is hypnotic .", "like many animal-centric films try to be , this one is sweet and joyous and wonderful .", "this first-ever film in the mongolian language is a masterpiece , a simply told story of a two-humped bactrian camel and its calf and the family in whose keeping they thrive .", "you 'll make friends with ikchee and his extended clan from the off , wishing that you could spend just one night under the cover of their yurts .", "fascinating and beautiful film .", "the touching finale might insure that the camel wo n't be the only one doing the weeping .", "does for camels what `` bambi '' did for deer .", "an unusual film that is part ethnographic documentary and part narrative film .", "an astonishing , mesmerizing film about a vanishing way of life", "an excellent job of portraying the everyday life of the nomadic family . ... it 's a cut above anything on animal planet , and definitely worth seeing on the big screen .", "one hump or two ?", "this look at a culture very different from ours is refreshing .", "-lsb- the directors -rsb- , without anthropomorphizing their critters , evoke primal mother-and-child emotions that will make anyone shed a tear or two .", "a film of simple rigor and heartfelt emotion .", "while it is n't always easy to get used to the slower natural rhythms this film celebrates , its cumulative effect is undeniable .", "the most sincere and heartfelt camel movie in years , maybe ever .", "a peaceful , unforced film , and it inspires a feeling of relief and joy that 's hard to describe .", "... while the film has an appropriately calm pace , befitting the lives it depicts , there is also an elementally powerful narrative drive ...", "watching camel is like watching a movie about an endangered species , and i do n't mean the camels .", "it 's actually quite sweet and exotic and engrossing .", "a beautiful and delicate reminder of the myriad ways in which life is lived on this huge planet of ours .", "strange and beautiful tale .", "quietly moving .", "with its emphasis on harmony and its implied criticism of the decadence of consumerist society , this study of tradition is a rewarding experience .", "... plays out like a naturalistic fable in an austere , timeless land in which ancient traditions co-exist with modern technology .", "this movie is for everyone .", "a cinematic oasis , both refreshing and thoroughly life-affirming .", "a window on a changing world most of us will never see .", "who knew that nomads ' yurts were so cozy and colorful , or that camels could be so soulful ?", "like `` atanarjuat , '' gives an inside look at an exotic lifestyle ... davaa and falorni 's drama may be slower paced than kunuk 's murder story , but it is every bit as primal .", "byambasuren davaa and luigi falorni have created a `` narrative documentary , '' much in the spirit of the groundbreaking works of robert j. flaherty -lrb- `` nanook of the north '' 1922 -rrb-", "a modest pleasure - a quiet little oasis in the blockbuster desert .", "whether this is filmmaking or recording is always up for debate ; that it 's fascinating is n't .", "strangely moving film .", "like himalaya , weeping camel essentially lets native people tell their own unforgettable story .", "anyone who feels like they 're drowning in their own polluted , godless , reality-tv-choked , errand-ridden consumerist life will find a momentary escape from modernity in MOV .", "speaks of perfect simplicity and small pleasures .", "an entrancing story of how the neglected reconnect with the mother culture .", "i have n't been this moved by the ineffable wisdom conveyed in the eyes of beasts since robert bresson 's transcendent au hasard balthazar -lrb- 1966 -rrb- .", "movies were n't made for cats and dogs -- they were made to show camels . seriously , try sitting through a nanosecond of the new garfield after these monumentally hairy guys have drifted into your life .", "uneasily positioned between fictional drama and cultural documentary .", "transcends genre to become a deeply affecting allegory about the importance of patience and acceptance .", "a joyous movie .", "a simple tale of animal estrangement and reconciliation that in its own quiet way manages to be soothing , hypnotic , even magical .", "MOV is rigged toward a sentimental conclusion and overpopulated with cutesy touches , but there are many remarkable sights along the way ." ], "summary": "delightful and strangely moving .", "id": "10174" }, { "movie": "clueless", "reviews": [ "writer-director amy heckerling 's new film is totally adorable and often quite funny .", "as appealing as alicia silverstone is -lrb- and she possesses that ethereal ` star quality ' which is sadly lacking in many of today 's up-and-coming performers -rrb- , her presence ca n't quite elevate this breezy comedy to the level of a modern classic .", "MOV has a witty script with one great line after another and has an exquisitely charming performance by silverstone . what more can you ask for in a comedy ?", "an unquestionably dismal look at the wealthy teen 's life in the mid - '90s .", "what should have been a clever movie disguised as a shallow one , it is in essence a shallow movie disguised as a clever one .", "rarely do you find a film so aptly titled as this one .", "the movie is aimed at teenagers , but like all good comedies , it will appeal to anyone who has a sense of humor and an ear for the ironic .", "a candy-colored comedy and an able chaser for any heavy cinematic experiences that have dogged you lately .", "while cher and the other characters here may seem vacuous and spoiled , heckerling -- who wrote the script as well -- is a gentle satirist .", "parents are traditionally invisible and/or lame in teen flicks , but dan hedaya , as silverstone 's sharklike litigator dad , does a drop-dead robert shapiro , biting off some of the best lines in the movie .", "sly , witty comedy .", "quickly becoming a teen-angst classic .", "a very funny movie that elevates its genre .", "the fact that you instantly like these spoiled little rich kids is a testament to amy heckerling 's skills as a screenwriter .", "the movie 's simple yet spot-on characters and performances make the laughs timeless , no matter how firmly the film is set in 1995 .", "smug and self-loathing .", "... although the movie is n't quite the classic it 's been made out to be , it 's a mindlessly diverting way to kill 97 minutes .", "silverstone makes cher 's insularity appealingly innocent -lrb- even in the midst of crisis , she ca n't resist checking out the latest fashion lines -rrb- , and an attempted seduction scene is sweetly hopeless .", "totally girly-girly !", "if not classic and generation-defining , then pretty dang close .", "by the time you skip out of the theater , you 've had a great time but ca n't remember a single reason why .", "silverstone is a winner . and so is the movie , which also functions as a lunatic update of emma , the 1816 jane austen novel .", "while miss silverstone guides cher through the witty costume changes that serve as character development , she 's backed up by a solid supporting cast .", "the film is funny , even though it is difficult to relate to kids who live in a world that is so far apart from the norm . the movie does finally connect , i think , because of the love story that underlies the rest of the plot .", "who does n't like MOV ? it is n't a masterpiece , but it still feels indispensable .", "a gem .", "fresh , witty , funny and even touching , this is a movie you ca n't help but love .", "snappy and clever film about a privileged beverly hills teenager .", "-lsb- it -rsb- is n't particularly memorable film , but it is still able to entertain those who happen to watch it .", "this movie is so five minutes ago , but still fun !", "alicia silverstone displays a heretofore undiscovered comic flair , and adds substance to her well-meaning but light-headed protaganist .", "silverstone guilelessly glides through her role like a pam-sprayed charge card .", "MOV is a comedy , of course , though adults in the audience -lrb- who will be there only if they have wandered into the wrong auditorium -rrb- may cringe from time to time . but there are some amusing gags , and the charming cast is more than capable .", "a gag-inducing four loko misfire .", "` MOV ' is a sweet , comical , satiric , knowing film , and it 's anything but MOV .", "offers some of the best humor , entertainment , and social insight the teen comedy genre has to offer", "its goal is humble : to walk the line between bubblegum pop that indulges trends , and a halfhearted critique of shallowness . i do n't think this is what feminists mean by `` having it all '' ...", "a fresh , disarmingly bright and at times explosively funny comedy well worth a trip to the mall , even if it eventually runs out of gas .", "the summer 's most compelling movie about teenagers .", "there 's such a gaping discontinuity between her physical beauty and her vacant , gum-snapping personality that she 's like a walking advertisement for everything that 's right and wrong with america .", "the most surprising thing about MOV , given how enthusiastically it indicts its characters and their universe , is how much fun it is .", "MOV is a happy bubble , and alicia silverstone comes into her own as a confident young comedienne .", "though this drifts at times as storytelling , it 's mainly lightweight but personable fun ." ], "summary": "a funny and clever reshaping of emma , MOV offers a soft satire that pokes as much fun at teen films as it does at the beverly hills glitterati .", "id": "11124" }, { "movie": "1029830-witches", "reviews": [ "a minor but very enjoyable nicolas roeg fairy tale .", "some kids will love it , some may find disturbing .", "deliciously cruel to children , roeg remains true to dahl 's underlying sense of real horror .", "a wildly entertaining fairy tale .", "a skewed , dark adaptation of roald dahl 's story featuring one of anjelica huston 's most energetic performances .", "as in his best films , here mr. roeg is a master of capturing the slightly off kilter sense of an apparently normal world . his camera is unobtrusive , and then suddenly it tilts a bit to jolt .", "the wizardry of jim henson 's creature shop and a superbly over-the-top performance by angelica huston gives the MOV a good deal of charm and enjoyment .", "strange and scary enough to fascinate parents and offspring alike .", "a truly magical film from nicolas roeg that finally gets undermined by muppetry .", "quite the entertainer . it 's a little scary , but not too frightening for children .", "the MOV has an engrossing story populated with many amusing characters .", "there are moments of genuine charm and solid invention , but it ` s a film that does n't believe enough in itself .", "it 's not a film for small children . but for precocious first-graders with a warped sense of humor and an appetite for chills , thrills and spills , nothing could be better .", "filled with grotesque MOV and mouse stunts , this is a wild fantasy for both children and adults . harry potter was never like this .", "real darkness seethes beneath the `` once upon a time '' surface , mostly due to henson 's seemingly curious selection of the brilliant and audacious roeg to direct .", "based on a roald dahl book , nicholas roeg 's the MOV is a film surprisingly faithful to the creepiness of the original .", "roald dahl 's book about a little boy on a seaside holiday who discovers a MOV ' convention plotting to annihilate children is brilliantly brought to life in this fantasy adventure by director nicolas roeg .", "what a lot of fun is the MOV . a few days before labor day , it is safe to say that it ` s the most enjoyable movie of the summer .", "the scenes of magic and mayhem are peppered with sly surprises , and anjelica huston plays the wildest wicked witch since dorothy got back from oz .", "the MOV is a slow-to-get-going but ultimately entertaining yarn about a nasty coven conspiring to turn britain 's entire populace of single-digiters into mice .", "do n't miss anjelica huston 's deliciously vile transformation from beauty to beast . and do n't miss this film .", "the best thing about nicolas roeg 's film of dahl 's book the MOV is its dark vision .", "in this extended good time of a fairy tale , there 's something for everyone .", "a wickedly funny final bow for muppeteer jim henson .", "-lsb- huston -rsb- dominates the film whenever she 's onscreen , pulling out all the stops without ever going over the top . that 's no small task , considering her character .", "it is a nice fantasy and deserves some credit for not aiming specifically at a youth or teenage market . it is just a decent fantasy film that is there for whatever audience it finds ." ], "summary": "with a deliciously wicked performance from angelica huston and imaginative puppetry by jim henson 's creature shop , nicolas roeg 's dark and witty movie captures the spirit of roald dahl 's writing like few other adaptations .", "id": "10115" }, { "movie": "obvious_child", "reviews": [ "the film tiptoes around the issue as much as something like `` knocked up '' did - it just tiptoes around the other side .", "slate is adept with biting remarks and self-deprecation , and she balances donna somewhere between flightiness and innocence .", "MOV is so much more than just the abortion movie . it 's a strong character study of a modern woman in new york city .", "before long she has something to remember their night together though , and has to face the most terrible decision that can occur to a grown-up during an unplanned pregnancy : telling her mom .", "that she makes the audience empathize more than judge is testament to slate 's skill . obvious frontrunner for indie comedy of the year .", "a small , offbeat dramatic comedy that deftly -- and humorously -- explores touchy territory .", "a prime example of what `` indie '' means , mid-2014 .", "robespierre has realized a thought experiment on film : how would knocked up play from the perspective of seth rogen 's female equivalent ?", "as a character , donna stern proves to be a mirror reflection of the movie surrounding her : intelligent , spirited , honest and more than a little awkward .", "although its overt pro-choice stance is germane to the story , as opposed to political grandstanding , the film does little to earn the sympathy it craves .", "the humor is balanced with small dramatic beats that lend authentic emotion to the proceedings .", "even at a scant 83 minutes running time , the film has some big voids filled with wasted scenes ... a better use of the time would have helped give the movie a little more depth .", "... does n't run away from the subject of abortion like most movies -lrb- and some movie reviews -rrb- do . if you go into it looking for a hammer with which to batter writer-director gillian robespierre , well , she has left plenty lying around .", "MOV significantly lifts the romantic comedy genre from the predictable rut it has fallen into .", "a wonderfully offbeat film about , yes , an abortion .", "there are many reasons to love this film , not least because it 's gutsy and genuinely funny , but perhaps MOV 's most admirable quality is that its feminism is very real .", "fizzing with neurosis and nervous gags , jenny slate 's winning odd-couple romance with a gawky jake lacy carries the movie over the odd comic misfire .", "sharp , funny and feeling , this is n't just juno-meets-girls but a smart film that tackles real-life issues with rare frankness .", "you root for donna , because she 's got a redemptive measure of self-awareness , and because robespierre and slate offer such a warm and authentic portrait of a screw-up .", "actor and stand-up jenny slate shines in this romantic comedy which faces up to the realities of abortion .", "for many women who see it - and quite a few men too - it will instantly become a landmark moment in cultural history .", "it 's a small , modest film that does n't act like it 's groundbreaking . but it is .", "it seems less like a film about characters using humor to mask misery than a film not ready to deal with the misery it 's brought up .", "smart , irreverent , edgy romcom about complex choices .", "the beauty of MOV is that there 's nothing obvious about it .", "` MOV ' is a small-scale but winning comedy from writer-director gillian robespierre and leading lady jenny slate .", "jenny slate demonstrates the gift that sets apart the great actors from the good ones : the ability to move you to tears without saying a word .", "a fantastically frank and very funny comedy about the messy parts of life .", "watching all of these people listen , talk , behave , react , think , work stuff out ... that 's the genius of `` MOV , '' that 's the strength and beauty of its unique wavelength .", "quirky , funny and gutsy .", "`` MOV '' enters territory rarely trod by romantic comedies - it 's clear donna 's in no way ready to have a child - and does so with warmth and wit .", "a foul-mouthed comedy with an immature heroine has treated a thorny issue with remarkable candor .", "director gillian robespierre arranges this as slice-of-single-life comedy , and it works well ...", "slate is too pretty a face and robespierre is too limited a writer for MOV to rise above conventional romantic plotting or to make its low comedy meaningfully transgressive .", "MOV takes the same shape as its elfin lead actress ; it 's just a slip of a thing , and it slips easily into different guises , from coarsely funny to gloaming-gloomy .", "the movie takes a refreshingly honest look at the nuances and realities of unplanned pregnancy in a way few recent movies have .", "robespierre has conceived something you do n't see every day : a feminist rom-com that unapologetically allows its flawed protagonist to let it all hang out ... but -lsb- it 's -rsb- one of those pictures that 's just good enough that you dearly wish it were better .", "robespierre and company deserve high praise for tackling a story with such a difficult subject at its heart , with a combination of grace , humour and courage .", "-lsb- slate -rsb- shows surprising range as an actress . she 's captivating whether she 's telling cringe-worthy jokes on stage or weepily climbing into bed with her mother .", "a cross between a woody allen farce and a one-woman show by sarah silverman .", "the only agenda that MOV has is to be true and funny , and it succeeds impressively at both .", "a fresh-faced , faux-messy romantic comedy with a refreshingly economic take on the usual meet-cute / separation crisis / resolution arc .", "MOV might hail from the same grungy sorority as frances ha or lena dunham 's girls , but it has a bounce and vitality that is inimitably its own .", "it 's both funny and serious without trying too hard to be either , and by trying above all to be honest .", "a celebration of oversharing , abortion-related or not .", "life is awkward , emotions are unfiltered , it all unfolds with a raw , r-rated edge .", "the heart of the film lies in what it manages to say , without boldface or italics , about how hard it is for donna , like so many of her anxious cohort , to make genuine connections , to break free of narcissistic constraints and become a stand-up grown-up .", "a dark romantic comedy that has plenty of the first , a little of the second and none of third .", "MOV is a romcom with a sting in its tail . and slate is a dynamo , nailing every laugh while showing a true actor 's gift for nuance .", "a well-realized , straight-ahead rom-com , one with the potential to reinvigorate a genre that 's been flagging for decades .", "jenny slate 's engaging performance keeps us along for the ride .", "it zigs when you expect it to zag .", "had robespierre been consistently tough-minded , MOV might have been just as funny but could also have risen to the level of a really good movie rather than a pretty good one .", "as conventional as its bigger california cousins in so many ways that except for its raggedy look it 's virtually indistinguishable from them .", "edgy , female-centric romantic dramedy . for a sophisticated audience , it 's refreshingly revealing .", "MOV is such an anomaly , such a shaggy and brave black sheep , that it 's hard not to embrace -- especially when it 's got puffy red eyes and mucous all over its face chanting `` love sucks . ''", "`` MOV '' covers some tricky and touchy territory , but it does it with such wit and warmth that only the most diehard pro-life fanatic could take offense .", "sorry , partisans , but there 's nothing obvious about `` MOV . ''", "it is unlikely to change any hearts or minds in our perpetually and permanently polarized times , but the film has the courage of its convictions , which likely limits appeal to a like-minded audience .", "the MOV feels fresh for a number of reasons , not least its straight-on tackling of the abortion issue .", "slate 's jaw-dropping turn as the affable protagonist surely marks the arrival of a fierce new acting talent .", "it 's a small film but should provide a big launch for jenny slate . now i want to see her in a comedy with kathryn hahn .", "there 's something old-hollywood about slate 's dizzy-dame charm , and at the same time , something very modern about her unapologetic ownership of her own sexuality .", "it 's hard to warm up to a movie when you hate its central character and it 's also frustrating when a comedy about stand-up goes out of its way to be so unfunny .", "if you see disregard or irresponsibility when you watch MOV , you 're not looking hard enough .", "touching on a red-hot issue , `` MOV '' is agreeably gentle , and even wise .", "laughter may be the best medicine , but in `` MOV , '' it 's also a helluva cure for dealing with a serious topic .", "maturity -- what a concept ! that 's the humorous , self-lacerating notion at the core of gillian robespierre 's MOV .", "... MOV flits from belly laugh to belly laugh on the strength of its delightfully shocking dialogue and a freewheeling lead performance by jenny slate .", "slate fits the role so well that her persona already seems fully formed , like athena bursting from the skull of louis c.k.", "if nothing else , MOV proves that rom-com conventions require no apologies , at least when they 're invested with honesty and sharp humor . also , a few fart jokes never hurt .", "writer-director gillian robespierre and star jenny slate team up to create a fine portrait of a twenty-something comedian dealing with life as a struggling performer in new york city .", "this generous , hilarious character study suggests jenny slate has more still to offer .", "there 's a raunchy , female woody allen-from-the-1970s vibe to MOV that rings an overfamiliar bell . we 've seen much of this before , but it goes down easily enough this time .", "slate , who had a brief and unremarkable tenure on saturday night live , proves a winning companion ; it 's a hang-out movie , and she 's fun to hang out with .", "slate erases the boundary between a good comedic performance and a good dramatic one : her wit is most palpable when expressed verbally , but the most essential stuff , the growing wisdom , is conveyed without words .", "hats off to any film that tries -lrb- and succeeds -rrb- at presenting challenging , off-putting characters from whose palms i 'm reluctantly persuaded to eat .", "as we laugh and wince at her heroine 's behavior , robespierre gets the tone exactly right in MOV .", "credit writer-director gillian robespierre and her star , jenny slate , for doing something fresh and witty within the problematic romcom formula .", "somehow it all still works . MOV is like one of those kid 's paintings where the riot of irreconcilable elements is unified by the charm and madness of a skilled naivety .", "beneath the clinical , sarcastic wit , there is a depth to her treatment of the story that builds gradually into a poignant , mature understanding of her central characters and the world they inhabit .", "simply a bad rom-com .", "gillian robespierre 's debut feature is a provocative , amusing comedy -- provided you cotton to the main character .", "anyone curious about the state of women in film or just women in general must see gillian robespierre 's MOV .", "despite its controversial topic , it manages to be desperately romantic-maybe the biggest shock of all .", "by placing the abortion in the context of a much broader series of events , robespierre normalizes it .", "raunchy humor laced with gradually revealed vulnerability makes for a winning combination in MOV , a wildly funny and appealing female-centric comedy that launches very promising talent on both sides of the camera .", "obvious is the word .", "hats off to robespierre and slate . they 've managed to deliver a film with actual edge , which somehow retains the characteristics that any successful romantic comedy should have .", "an oddball comedy about a screwed-up 28-year old stand-up comic who tries to get her life back on track after learning that she is pregnant .", "whatever your foreknowledge of low-budget brooklyn dramedies , it 's impossible that gillian robespierre 's film wo n't lob you at least a few curveballs .", "it 's astonishingly , wonderfully refreshing .", "the movie is smart and it is very funny .", "-lsb- slate is -rsb- fittingly cast here , playing donna detached and irreverent in one scene , confessional and needy in the next .", "an independent film with characters you 'll care about as well as a rare silver screen attempt to at least begin to try to understand the nature of abortion .", "how wonderful that a film that is so unapologetically frank should simultaneously feel so warm and delightful .", "it 's bold , but it 's not a film that 's just trying to be bold ; it 's just trying to be real -- and it is .", "robespierre does a nice job of balancing the seriousness of this situation with the no-boundaries irreverence of donna 's comedy background .", "robespierre is reaching out to other women about the value of sharing our experiences in this weighty and hilarious comedy .", "MOV is bound to connect with lots of young women .", "robespierre 's direction of the many fine actors she assembled is assured , her sense of pacing nicely loose-limbed .", "it is an awkward , cynical film that clearly knows little about the romantic comedies its main character says she despises .", "whatever talent or care robespierre has goes into guiding the actors toward real gentleness , including slate , who spends the movie with big , untamed hair . her affect is brazenly ungroomed .", "MOV is well-made and wickedly bold , but i still found myself wishing for a little more subtle maturity on the part of its characters and creators .", "either the perfect vehicle for jenny slate , or evidence that jenny slate can turn anything into a profound , hilarious performance . i 'm willing to believe the latter .", "this film deserves to be seen as a major breakthrough for jenny slate who commands the kind of humor and honesty that stars possess .", "jenny slate shines in a romantic comedy that dares to consider the subject of abortion suitable for date-night crowds .", "a movie that feels risky and forgiving and , despite its traditional rom-com contours , refreshingly new .", "what it lacks is dramatic interest . there 's no zing in it .", "the heroine ca n't seem to come up with any material that does n't involve bodily functions ; she never goes near the subject of motherhood , which proves that the filmmakers are scared to death of their own story .", "moment to moment , you believe what 's happening in robespierre 's film , which is funny and rueful in roughly equal measure without being despairing in the slightest .", "it 's a well-written rom-com with rascally charm , a modest story of an awkward brooklyn girl making a go of life .", "the movie does n't present itself as some kind of secular equivalent of a moral lesson . it 's not callous or weepy or preachy - or self-consciously not those things . it 's a naturally told story .", "the humor gets dark but the future looks bright for robespierre and slate .", "i want to hug this movie .", "MOV is a genuine attempt to drag the moribund rom-com genre into more relatable and mature territory , and while it sometimes falls short of its aims , it 's an admirable step in the right direction .", "robespierre and slate deserve credit for nudging the abortion narrative away from scaremongering horror , and back towards , if not an entirely happy ending , then at least something a girl might get a joke or two out of .", "beautifully redresses how the realities of women 's lives are too often ignored on film ... and does so with startling raw power and humor .", "just reading about this film will make some people feel sick . i adored it .", "in MOV , stand-up comedian jenny slate plays stand-up comedian donna stern , a brooklyn hipster who puts absolutely no filters between her most intimate , embarrassing thoughts and her shtick on stage .", "MOV 's radicalism lies in its lack of radicalism : there is no grandstanding in the manner of if these walls could talk , no naughty trolling \u0155 la sarah silverman .", "robespierre 's admirably forthright romcom remains good-natured as it flies the flag for a woman 's right to choose ...", "writer-director robespierre 's low-budget comedy-drama is both caustic and heartfelt .", "i left ` MOV ' thinking not of donna , the story 's heroine , but of jenny slate , an intriguing screen presence who deserves better material .", "an inventive take on the rom-com genre , this genuinely hilarious film is even more engaging because its characters and premise are unexpectedly honest .", "`` MOV '' is being promoted as a groundbreaking topical comedy about abortion . but it 's less than that . and more . and , basically , not .", "it 's that sense of normalcy that makes the film such a subversive success in terms of addressing a political debate that ... it otherwise goes out of its way to avoid having .", "insightful , hilarious , and filthy as all get-out , MOV promises big things ahead for director gillian robespierre and star jenny slate .", "one of the first american films to take an unabashedly pro-choice , relatively drama-free look at one woman 's decision , it 's also an endearing and even poignant comedy .", "MOV plays as though gillian robespierre and jenny slate watched the `` knocked up '' debate from the sidelines , turned to one another , and blurted out , in unison , `` challenge accepted ! ''", "virtue and vulgarity fight to a draw via a film that should put the vivacious jenny slate and director gillian robespierre on everyone 's indie radar .", "a briskly feminine , staunchly independent , deliciously coarse effort , MOV plays like a lost track from exile in guyville .", "like woody allen 's early , new york city set comedies , only raunchier , more potty-mouthed and more like tv . slate is terrific .", "jenny slate ? here comes a great comedy star in a smart , conversational , bluntly funny , certainly subversive romcom .", "even if the easy shorthand of `` abortion comedy '' is understandable in a way , the labeling of MOV as such diminishes what this movie is really about", "despite a few too-cute moments , the movie is both smarter and more sympathetic than that glib shorthand .", "as a rom-com , it 's so safe and unchallenging that it wo n't stick in your brain long enough for the message to matter .", "a smart , candid , foul-mouthed and thoroughly charming subversion of sugary romantic fantasies and stereotypical representations of women on screen .", "a modern , human comedy that tackles a controversial subject with ease .", "beneath the film 's frequently sardonic front -lsb- ... -rsb- is a sobering maturity , one contextualized with quotidian poetry .", "a comedy alternately caustic and sweet .", "MOV succeeds as a concise comedy unafraid of quarter-life malaise , an affecting debut from an emerging talent , and a star vehicle for jenny slate .", "the sisterhood is here and seeing it at work , getting on with the business of living , is actually very moving .", "slate is truly something to behold .", "robespierre is at her most assured in her handling of donna 's stand-up act : this is a rare example of a film about a creative type in which the process of transforming life into art is shown plausibly and in some detail ." ], "summary": "tackling a sensitive subject with maturity , honesty , and wit , MOV serves as a deeply promising debut for writer-director gillian robespierre .", "id": "771371895" }, { "movie": "all_about_steve", "reviews": [ "MOV struggles mightily to find its loony essence . but bullock 's apple-cheeked larkishness is all flailing limbs and bug-eyed reaction shots -- there 's no there there .", "normally the core message of being true to yourself is a virtuous one , but when ` yourself ' is quite literally the most annoying person in the world , the opposite is true .", "one is tempted to feel bad for the usually likable bullock -- who looks fantastic here , we must note -- but she 's one of the film 's producers , so she ca n't be too ashamed of herself . i am embarrassed for her , however .", "it 's a celebration of brazen nonconformity centered on an insufferable flibbertigibbet who makes the worst case for nonconformity imaginable .", "i 'm not sure who kim barker is , or what her credentials are . but she has written two of my least favorite screenplays within the last two years .", "one might be tempted to call it perfectly dreadful if it did n't seem inappropriate to utter the word ` perfect ' anywhere within miles of it .", "... really all about sandra bullock .", "sandra bullock plays a stalker in unappealing romcom .", "it 's dreadful .", "sandra bullock give it that old college try but the movie still flops", "it fails at everything it attempts to do . there 's simply no point for it to exist .", "a talented director might have made bullock seem like a comic genius , but phil traill has no control over tone , leaving the audience unsure whether to laugh or cry .", "it gets into mcconaughey territory , worse than the ugly truth .", "movies do n't get much worse .", "an interminable series of gags based around the shrillest , most obvious characters imaginable .", "not without its good bits . even if you have to watch some supposedly nice guys be mean to get to them .", "this kind of premise is touchy , cause it 's that kind of humor that comes from awkwardness . it 's kind of sad and a little dark . it needs to be handled just the right way , and quite frankly director phil traill falls flat on his face .", "irritating and inexcusable , it 's a total waste of time and talent .", "although i laughed at a couple of slapstick gags , the rest of this comedy did n't seem very funny to me .", "a painfully bland , vapid , irritating and consistently preposterous comedy that 's low on laughs and satirical bite .", "mistaking cute and quirky for teeth-grindingly obnoxious , MOV is one of the most irritating moviegoing experiences of the year . shame on you , sandra bullock , you know better than this .", "stick with the premise . the idea behind MOV has some potential , but then it slides off into hokey-ville .", "MOV is painful , unfunny and easily one of the worst films of 2009 .", "it 's not MOV . and even if it was MOV , it still is n't a good story . why ? steve is n't interesting . neither is mary horowitz , the woman stalking steve .", "the film is n't merely unfunny and stupefyingly inane but a depressing waste of money , energy and time , yours included .", "a salute to stalkers not recommended for cops , celebrities or anyone else .", "the results are n't quite anchorman , but they 're worth a chuckle .", "an actress should never , ever , be asked to run beside a van in red disco boots for more than about half a block , and then only if her child is being kidnapped .", "MOV , an unfunny , annoying , badly written , badly acted comic fiasco , may be the worst movie in bullock 's career .", "it 's a sort of anti-romance romantic comedy , and though uneven , it 's a lot smarter than most films in the genre .", "maybe a sitcom laugh track would have helped . at least it would provide a hint of where we 're supposed to chuckle .", "a screwball comedy missing more than a few crucial screws .", "oops , sorry , we 're not supposed to think of mary as mentally ill , psychologically unbalanced , or any of those painful things , just full of gumption and sunny determination .", "here 's a scorching idea for the producers of the `` saw '' franchise : a `` sandra bullock slapstick comedy '' death trap .", "when mary tearfully confesses that she wears her red boots because they make her toes `` feel like ten friends on a camping trip , '' the viewer does n't know whether to explode in laughter or die from the osmosis of sandra bullock 's own humiliation .", "putting a marshmallow on top of a pile of cooked spinach , is still not a dessert . MOV is no comedy , and just might be the worst film of 2009 .", "but the main message ... is that movie studios think a lot of people will pay good money to see sandra bullock humiliate herself yet again in front of the camera .", "there 's something pathetic about mary", "MOV is offensive , absurd and pointless .", "with its commercial imperatives and subversive ambitions working at cross purposes , this puzzling movie does n't have a clue what it 's all about .", "this surreal creation is built around one of the most maddening and borderline unbearable characters ever conceived .", "let 's say you 're the kind of person who has a morbid curiosity for films that defy logic , the ones that blow your mind with their badness . then i can wholeheartedly recommend you see this one .", "just when it seems MOV could n't grow any more insufferable , it turns strangely sentimental .", "fasten your seat belts , it 's going to be a bumpy review .", "it 's so bad , you might feel a little sorry for bullock -- but do n't take pity on her . watching MOV will only make you feel worse .", "kooky ? hardly . cringing ? most assuredly .", "MOV is a messy assemblage of clumsy sight gags , winking reaction shots and disingenuous populist genuflection to the idea that there 's no such thing as normal . we all see a little bit of mary in ourselves , do n't we ? do n't we ?", "on paper , a crazy romcom starring sandra bullock and bradley cooper could only be a good thing . wrong .", "bullock , as both co-producer and star , makes sure MOV sparkles with easy laughs .", "a head-scratcher of a comedy starring the increasingly enigmatic sandra bullock .", "mary 's supposed to be a plucky free spirit , but mostly she 's a chatty bore who 's emotionally clueless .", "somewhere , like the pea in the bed of the princess , is an idea that could be interesting . unfortunately , it 's smothered in 20 mattresses of awful and 20 more of dumb .", "why would such talented actors as bullock , cooper , thomas haden church and ken jeong sign on for something so dreadful ?", "just the latest entry on a long list of movies that are n't even close to the great screwball comedy bullock is capable of making . may it be the last .", "we could care less about the characters in this dreadfully bad comedy .", "while bullock is often cast as the kook you want to hug , here she is a nut you want to run away from .", "if you ever wanted to know what kind of movie plays deaf children falling into a sinkhole for laughs , look no further .", "since bullock coproduced this masochistic venture , it seems she buys into the idea that fluffer-nut ditziness is what she does best . except it is n't .", "a head-banging excuse for a comedy .", "... features the singular most awful line of dialogue in a movie this year ...", "if bullock in her comfort zone is a thing of real , if modest pleasure , watching as she contorts herself into a role that 's all wrong for her is singularly excruciating .", "MOV is constructed as a romantic comedy , but mary 's tireless , stalker-like behavior suggests that this ought to be a horror film .", "a disappointingly disposable romantic comedy ...", "the film 's complete failure to engage on any level , much less comedic , lies entirely at the feet of bullock .", "MOV is survivable . you 'll never see such passion for a crossword anywhere else .", "one of the ropiest would-be screwball comedies conceived recently .", "mary is a memorable comic creation for all the wrong reasons : glibly written , offensively characterised and bizarrely dressed , she 's the classic screwball ditz taken to grotesque and at times unwatchable extremes .", "this deeply unfunny comedy misfires at every turn .", "it 's baffling that some of our favourite actors would sign up for this slightly creepy , desperately unfunny twaddle . do n't encourage them by watching it .", "whatever disturbed and previously untapped audience this is meant to find , it 's certainly novel .", "a film that looks as if it 's been through 1,001 test screenings , script drafts and reshoots , each unfunnier and more muddled than the last .", "the movie is trying to show the power of words and that there is no such thing as a `` normal '' person . it should garner a boatload of nominations for razzie awards that are given to the worst movies of the year .", "my biggest surprise is scanning the credits and not seeing the name wayans or prinze jr. anywhere .", "bullock sells her part of the film , and church throws in some good , hearty laughs , but ultimately , this is just an `` eh . ''", "this is easily the single worst film that sandra bullock has been involved with and bear in mind , i have seen `` speed 2 . ''", "with a protagonist that nobody could like , admire , or sympathize with , this is one of the worst movies i 've ever had to sit through .", "which of these characters is even recognizable enough in the sphere of human existence that we might be able to think , yes , i get him/her -lsb- ? -rsb-", "there 's not much to MOV but it 's a part bullock does well : the tomboy , the goofball , the cute but weird ugly duckling ...", "a total misfire from the first scene to the last .", "misfiring on every conceivable front , it 's that rarest of comedies -- one whose stabs at humor fall painfully flat , while eliciting unintentional giggles every time the film seeks to be serious or deliver a message ...", "not just dumb , it 's dopey , moronic , doltish , obtuse and thick .", "frantic , inane , moronic and obnoxious , MOV ranks among the very worst movies of the year . the decade , even .", "he 's the thing that lets mary -- and the movie -- off the crazy hook . it quickly devolves into one of those ` what 's normal anyway ? ' stories , and bullock 's dedication to the role is ultimately undermined .", "easily one of the worst movies of the year -lrb- if not the decade -rrb- , there is not one redeeming quality to MOV , an offensive film morally , socially , and to the institution of comedy .", "despite her downward-tilted head and her nattering ways , mary really does want to connect . watching her realize this is n't deep but it is sweet .", "this is easily one of the worst films i 've ever had to review .", "clueless .", "there 's nothing wrong with MOV that a rewrite could n't fix , as long as the rewrite involved a different writer , a different character and a different story .", "i was praying for the ghost of paul newman to save me .", "bullock , easing into her mid-40s with box-office mojo intact , remains the star attraction as the annoyingly endearing mary . you simply ca n't imagine another actor of her stature pulling it off .", "it seems incredible , but the grimly unfunny comedy MOV might just be the worst movie on sandra bullock 's r\u00e9sum\u00e9 .", "when you learn that sandra bullock produced as well as stars in MOV , you ca n't help wondering , `` what was she thinking ? ''", "in which sandra bullock flails through another non-com of an awfulness she seems unerringly inclined to repeat .", "a comedy so irritating and cheerless that you wonder if the cast were blackmailed into appearing .", "a witty satire on tv news ? no . an inspiring lesson about following your heart ? nope . the worst comedy you 'll see all year ? oh yes .", "make no mistake , this is one mess of a film and yet if you forgive it some of its bewildering failings there is still a weird charm to its madness .", "sandra bullock turns in an excruciatingly kooky performance in this ill-conceived stalker romance .", "this weirdly unfunny comedy is like clint eastwood 's play misty for me seen through the eyes of the stalker , and played unsuccessfully for laughs .", "romcom ? send-up ? romcom send-up ? no one seems to know , least of all director phil traill , whose failure to deliver a consistent tone - or , y' know , any laughs - leaves his capable cast hung out to dry .", "the film is such a misjudged farrago that it makes miss congeniality seem like a masterpiece .", "director phil traill and screenwriter kim barker should take some credit for attempting something original , but ultimately what they come up with is an ensemble cast of non-entities and the overriding feeling that they 're exploiting the lead character .", "a handful of wry tv news graphics provide welcome amusement , but bullock has never been worse and the rest of the cast are left to solve the puzzle of their own presence .", "amounts to one compelling character surrounded by a bunch of stuff that 's not so great .", "there 's no footing in reality . nothing about it feels authentic : not the blathering mary , not the lifeless secondary characters , not the bromide-happy dialogue or the plot that twists less often than it spasms .", "plopping a 45-year-old actress ... into a role clearly intended for , at best , a 23-year-old is a bizarre way to deal with the role shortage -lsb- for older women -rsb- .", "breath-takingly awful in every way .", "... this is , without a doubt , one of the biggest wastes of celluloid this year .", "a special sort of trainwreck that unfolds like some fever-dream mash-up of anchorman , mad love , heather graham 's committed and a tossed-off improv sketch . a terrible movie , meriting debate only insofar as whether personal preference r", "a romantic comedy so lunkheaded and ill-conceived that it makes your average , idiotic kate hudson-matthew mcconaughey outing look like the reincarnation of hepburn and grant .", "-lsb- an -rsb- unwatchable , unbearably unfunny farce in which sandra bullock hits the lowest point of her career ...", "parental content review", "i suspect that this is a film that speaks to those who believe every breath you take is a love song .", "the taint of desperation lies so heavily on the entire exercise .", "despite the cringe early on there is a validation about finding your emotional and intellectual match , not just the fantasy dreamboat .", "if terrible movies were car crashes , this 101-minute horror-show is a coachload of orphans slamming headlong into the hoover dam - and 2010 is unlikely to serve up anything worse .", "MOV wo n't appeal to everyone but it 's by no means the disaster its terrible reviews are making it out to be and is ultimately worth seeing for its attempt to do something different .", "as hollywood 's most box-office-friendly female star , surely it 's about time sandra bullock started challenging herself with something more worthy of her comic talents .", "from the outset the film swings from one lame gag to another and the usually spot-on bullock fails to find her groove .", "` i 'm going to eat you like a mountain lion , ' says the sex-starved bullock as she attacks cooper in his van , moments after meeting him , in one of several appalling scenes that represent director phil traill 's idea of cute .", "were you thinking `` deaf kids '' , `` sinkhole '' ? no ? i defy you to write a dumber screenplay .", "sandra bullock bulldozes the line between a socially awkward character and an annoying human being in a monstrous turkey that can genuinely make a claim to being the worst film of the year", "her most irritating and unfunniest film to date .", "four stages of acceptance of 2-star movie : 1 -rrb- embarrassed for lead character . 2 -rrb- embarrassed for actor playing lead character . 3 -rrb- admiration for movie 's all-out , gawky commitment to awkward comedy . 4 -rrb- annoyance with usual rom-com schmaltz-injections .", "-lsb- a -rsb- refreshingly quirky comedy .", "if it did n't come from a major studio , i would think the film is a satire of romantic comedies , or at least some kind of avant-garde experiment in testing the limits of audience identification", "packaged as a romantic comedy but devoid of comedy or romance , this baffling train wreck stars sandra bullock as a tediously kooky constructor of crossword puzzles for a sacramento newspaper .", "... hopelessly harebrained ...", "a good idea lurks in the latest sandra bullock comedy but it quickly falls into a deep hole .", "one of the leading candidates for worst film of 2009 .", "a sad excuse for a film which meshes too many ideas without sticking to one , leaving sandra bullock once again flailing in a ridiculous role .", "disaster is an eight letter word that aptly describes this grossly misjudged , overplayed , unfunny comedy about a hyper crossword constructor who stalks her blind date . filled with low points worth of eye-rolling ...", "an unmitigated disaster .", "in the final 30 or so minutes it turns deadly serious , which is about the only time this mess gets any laughs .", "easily the worst movie of the week , month , year , and bullock 's entire career . it is to comedy what leprosy once was to the island of molokai : a plague best contemplated from many miles away .", "the only laughs elicited by the film are those of incredulity ." ], "summary": "MOV is an oddly creepy , sour film , featuring a heroine so desperate and peculiar that audiences may be more likely to pity than root for her .", "id": "770680913" }, { "movie": "premonition", "reviews": [ "how many times can the nightmare that is sandra bullock keep recurring ?", "interesting premise but by the weaker third act the audience is left wodnering if they care about any of it .", "devolve into a film that only feigns the pretensions of popular entertainment but instead wants to delve into all sorts of family issues .", "the level of apparent disinterest from everyone involved is astounding .", "a gripping psychological thriller that will have you guessing from start to finish .", "i had a strange sense before i walked into the theatre that this was n't going to be all that good ... and that 's exactly how it happened .", "unfortunately in the end this movie did not live up to the trailer shown .", "it may be a mediocre thriller , but it 's a nice drama about rekindling the spark in a dying marriage . if you do n't buy that , consider it a 110-minute fashion show , with more clothing changes than project runway .", "just a rehashed ` twilight zone ' plot stretched over 90 minutes while sandra bullock stumbles around working on her ` baffled ' face .", "the screenplay by bill kelly is a lot like the title character in mr. townsend 's famous rock opera , which is to say it does n't know what day it is .", "save your money and time . if it were n't for the special effects blowing up the budget , this would have been just perfect as a lifetime movie .", "the trailer provides ` MOV ' with a dose of its own prophetic recipe . having seen it there 's no need to see the film .", "someone should have figured out what this movie was really about before they even started .", "... a confusing mess , a puzzle that ca n't be solved .", "an intriguing , if not entirely original premise to be sure , but MOV never quite builds up the momentum that seems so inherent to its narrative .", "if only bullock could have foreseen how bad MOV would turn out to be , she would have spared herself -lrb- and us -rrb- a lot of agony .", "MOV is enjoyable enough for the first 70 minutes or so but it 's completely ruined by a terrible final act that fails to exploit the film 's premise and leaves the audience feeling cheated .", "instead of cranking up the suspense , the film turns into mush .", "MOV barely remembers to create suspense .", "had it been easier to comprehend at the beginning , there 's no telling how bad MOV might have been .", "i had a feeling this movie was n't going to be any good , and as it turns out i was right ... both confusingly opaque and frustratingly simple-minded .", "bullock 's affable performance starts strong then muscles up as a faint but lifesaving strain of humor creeps into the material .", "sandra bullock 's latest time-shifter goes nowhere , slow .", "after the setup , the movie starts to lose momentum fast , like a birthday balloon poked with a sharp object .", "pacing stutters as bullock reorganizes her tangled web and dreams of miss congeniality 3 .", "although aspects of MOV tantalize , other elements frustrate , and that makes for an uneasy final result .", "in an attempt to be unconventional and surreal , the film has no arc , and everyone talks in shorthand . but ms. bullock gives MOV a truthful center .", "ohmigod - ya feel that ? that rumbling in your ribs , that hiccup in your heart , that frigidness in your frontal lobe . it 's a MOV that the act of buying a ticket to `` MOV '' will result in tragedy .", "movies like memento , told backward , are so six years ago . MOV complicates it all by throwing the whole calendar week out of order .", "i receive premonitions too : low opening gross ... rotten tomatoes rating below 10 percent favorable ... a short ride to the video store .", "someone connected with the psychological thriller MOV should have been clairvoyant enough to realize that when you do n't have a good finale , it does n't pay to substitute two bad endings .", "stronger style and atmosphere would have greatly benefited a pic that seems to abandon its own supernatural aspects to sheer plot mechanism .", "is sandra bullock losing it ? just when you thought her taste in film projects and acting skills were improving , along comes this senseless , incoherent thriller .", "second-rate ` sixth sense ' -- devoid of scares and originality .", "damn if the movie does n't work hard , through not working hard at all , at setting some sort of record for dreary ridiculousness .", "blithely unfettered by internal logic , exhibiting the pacing of a banana slug , and boasting a heroine who makes betty crocker seem like a radical feminist , MOV is exactly the reason that the razzie awards exist .", "according to premointion , being an atheist means you get superpowers , which means some pretty great things are just around the corner for me .", "a thrill-less psychological thriller .", "the most irritating thing about this film is its overall lack of clear direction . bullock is always running around in a sort of a fog , dashing from scene to scene , but with no sense of purpose .", "she 's confused . we 're confused . so is the movie .", "movies obsessed with keeping us guessing can miss out on providing reasons to keep us caring .", "pay real money to see this feeble fiasco only if you 're in the mood for groundhog day without the laughs .", "-lsb- a -rsb- gimmicky and nearly suspense-free fantasy/thriller .", "MOV is both dreary and absurd , suffering from a lack of intrinsic logic and terrible pacing , a one-two punch that kills off any chance of entertainment value .", "MOV maintains a chilly grip on the viewer , almost in spite of the spotty storytelling .", "considering that nothing adds up in the end , it is difficult to understand why a star of sandra bullock 's caliber would agree to get involved .", "if you 've seen the ads , you 've seen the movie .", "MOV is a dour groundhog day for desperate housewives .", "the script and direction are so humorless that the film becomes unintentionally funny , and , perhaps inevitably , the story falls apart once we know what 's really going on .", "may i suggest that it 's time to declare a moratorium on movies about time ?", "can you suffocate by constantly stifling yawns ? if so , MOV should be labeled a public health threat .", "fans of horror , thrillers , and the films of sandra bullock will find MOV puzzling since it fails to honor any of them .", "`` seven days to live '' is an ok country song , packed with faith , family and fighting for what 's important . oh , wait , that 's what `` MOV '' should have been , instead of a preposterous thriller that wastes sandra bullock 's time , and ours .", "this faceless frightfest begs the only one genuinely true psychological question at large : what prompted bullock to be drawn to this mindless , moping mystical material ?", "if sandra bullock is concerned about being in too many time-travel movies , well % u2026maybe it 's too late .", "a messy movie but one that at least cares enough about its central character .", "if the director seems to show sandra no mercy as she 's instructed to run around breathlessly for two hours in circles through the past , present and future in no particular order , imagine the even greater toll this movie takes on the exasperated audience .", "by the time the requisite , and somewhat silly twist end comes around , we as an audience no longer care .", "a time-twisting drama that ties every detail together in a satisfying conclusion . sandra bullock gives one of her best performances to date .", "sem conseguir se definir como suspense , fic\u0437\u0433o cient\u043dfica ou drama , o longa finalmente revela seu v\u0431cuo criativo ao entregar-se a uma prega\u0437\u0433o pseudo-espiritual tola e superficial .", "could have been a darn snappy thriller , but the listless relationship at the story 's core , plus ham-handed handling of the essential flashback / flash forward scenes doom it .", "offers its moments of requisite thriller twists that will appeal to fans of that genre .", "i think the actress smiles a total of once in 100 minutes on screen . granted , it 's radiant when she does , but that 's not enough to save the film .", "at times intriguing , often confusing and ultimately frustrating , MOV jumbles the past and present as sandra bullock 's young wife and mother tries to change fate .", "not exactly a thriller , never quite a chiller , hardly suspenseful , it is , at best , a sandra bullock vehicle made of vanishing vapors .", "though smarter than your average , inexplicable supernatural happening , and despite ticking every box on the fears-of-women exploitation checklist , MOV almost never grabs or shakes .", "i have a MOV you wo n't give a damn . i sure as hell did n't .", "MOV is a thriller almost completely without thrills , with a puzzler that raises questions it never bothers to answer .", "MOV is a thriller with a major gimmick , a few moments of suspense and a profoundly unsatisfying ending . as such , it plays much like a c-grade cable thriller .", "the psychological thriller MOV is neither as beguiling as you might hope nor as moronic as you might fear , floating comfortably in that gray , maybe-we-can-get-it-from-netflix territory .", "MOV is an odd little thing , with a protagonist in a protracted fugue state and a plot that does n't know whether its coming or going .", "bring on those razzie nominations .", "at least all this uncertainty is leading up to a spectacular twist ending -- oh , wait . no , it 's not .", "our sympathies gradually shift from feeling sorry for the character and her dilemma to feeling sorry for this appealing actress , swimming against the current in murky waters .", "perhaps sensing the chaos , bullock acts as if she 's standing just outside herself , not quite vested in the role , her mind seemingly elsewhere .", "this film wants to be a twisty thriller but ends up something of a misogynistic mess which leaves its leading lady stranded .", "dark bullock deja-vu thriller wo n't interest kids .", "the film does n't have any meaning . not just because it 's bad . because at the very end , it 's very obvious that there was n't any point to anything .", "one can still hear ebeneezer scrooge lament , `` why show me this if i am past all hope ? ''", "largely ridiculous but terribly serious .", "like a lot of mediocre movies it 's not about much more than the immediate emotional response it 's trying to generate . the filmmakers realize this and make an effort to shoe horn some themes in ... it just makes an already muddled movie even more muddled .", "thank god the local priest puts everything in perspective with a string of family-values clich\u0439s .", "sloppy filmmaking as a whole .", "this feeble attempt at a mind-bending thriller has a vaguely interesting premise , but its potential is soon lost thanks to dreary execution .", "a kinda supernatural , kinda psychological thriller that establishes a perplexing situation and never gets around to figuring it out .", "the convoluted setup does n't produce a payoff worthy of the attention this film demands .", "MOV works hard at wearing out its welcome , with numerous scenes that do n't seem to add up and too many characters who feel underwritten .", "could it have been worse ? yes , it could have been 120 minutes .", "when we get to the top of the roller coaster , the film stalls and slows down .", "somber but soulful , MOV has a strong dramatic performance by sandra bullock and a gimmicky plot that does n't grate until the end .", "the script 's vague , silly `` explanation '' for linda 's experiences -- nature abhors a spiritual vacuum , so weird stuff happens to the faithless -- is the icing on the irritation cake .", "it never pays to think too much about movies constructed to make you think .", "MOV , for all its far-fetched nature , never lets go of its momentum and holds the audience every inch of the way .", "MOV could have been memento on estrogen . instead , it 's too poorly paced and ultimately too antifeminist to air on lifetime .", "with her tetchy screen persona , sandra bullock is well served by brainteasers like the lake house and this passable thriller about a woman who seems to be bouncing between two alternate realities .", "MOV is probably two-thirds of a good movie , and sometimes that 's enough . but i have a , well , MOV it may not be , especially when it comes to those all-important opening-weekend grosses .", "the scene in front of the funeral home where bullock goes over the edge is inappropriately hilarious .", "-lsb- a -rsb- hackneyed supernatural thriller that plays like a cross between a lifetime network spinoff of final destination and the infamous bobby-in-the-shower episode of dallas .", "this seals it : sandra bullock ca n't tell time .", "the movie does deserve credit for sticking to an ending no one at the studio could have wanted . we would , however , like to premonish that the conclusion is equally unlikely to satisfy the audience .", "as MOV slowly creeps toward a ridiculous faith-based climax or two , you may feel compelled to take a nap yourself . when you awake , it may all seem like a bad dream -- but why is your wallet missing $ 11 ? scary .", "hitchcock would have had a wonderful time with this .", "the sloppy , absent-minded MOV is a step back in time and a giant leap backward for sandra bullock .", "the script could have used some analysis itself . after proceeding for an hour in its fairly obvious supernatural path , suddenly the movie decides to get religious .", "confusing , convoluted and yet gripping and emotional almost in spite of itself MOV is the first movie sandra bullock has successfully ` carried ' in years .", "MOV is just an incredible mess from start to finish , filled with so many logical inconsistencies , it 's practically impossible for the audience to sustain the necessary suspension of disbelief for long .", "if you 're into smartly made movies , avoid MOV at all costs .", "unfortunately , not even sandra bullock 's ability to make us almost forget the ridiculous plot forced upon her can save ` MOV . '", "the acting is perfectly fine , and everyone , especially the two kids , manages to rise above the sub-par script , but unfortunately , not that much .", "since all those high falutin ' bloggers are too busy handicapping the oscars , here 's a scoop from the other end of stick : this one 's a lock for the ivar theater next february .", "i like that they use crows , because the stink of this carrion has flushed out a few guilty jackdaws .", "as MOV zigzags toward its solution it loses its head completely , packing a risible final reel with left-field religious disquisitions and heartfelt warnings against infidelity .", "yes , in the end MOV slips through our fingers , but by gum , it 's interesting , and one of the most abstract mainstream releases i 've seen in a long time .", "one of the film 's weak links is the casting of sandra bullock . ... for a woman who has supposedly lost her husband , she displays very little emotion .", "MOV has its merits , as a film about the need to love one 's spouse today , for you never know what tomorrow will bring .", "the problem here is not so much that there 's no explanation for what 's happening to her as that the filmmakers have n't figured out what to do about it .", "bill kelly 's script adds a graceful touch of the spiritual , but it ca n't overcome the holes in story logic during linda 's groundhog day of a week .", "MOV falls apart because the script turns stupefyingly boneheaded during the most crucial scene .", "as wednesday morphs into tuesday , flips over to friday and moseys back to monday , the audience suffers moderate confusion and mild annoyance at bullock 's failure to address her condition in any meaningful way .", "so full of logic flaws , continuity errors ... it 's amazing the screenwriter or director could n't foresee the train wreck of a film it becomes", "here 's a MOV for you : this ill-conceived thriller is n't going to do anything for sandra bullock 's career .", "tries diligently to blow your mind and leaves you shaking your head instead . ... what happens when a promising screenplay degenerates into total incoherence ? to quote the magic 8 ball , ` outlook not so good . '", "... feels like it was concocted in some sort of hormonal haze , say maybe in the seventh month of a pregnancy .", "bullock has overcome dozens of similar turkeys in her career . for example , it would be nice to be able to forget ` speed 2 : cruise control . ' yapo , however , will have to cure cancer , aids and leprosy before viewers will forgive him for this movie .", "time traveling to the future is n't the same thing as a `` MOV . '' but maybe calling it `` nonsense '' would have been just a little too honest .", "you 'll feel both cheated and nonplussed at the conclusion after sitting through an hour and a half watching sandra bullock slowly morph into gladys kravitz .", "MOV is the kind of movie where you can keep a running count of the films it 's ripping off -- but you may need more than two hands .", "... your gimme-a-break meter will probably be red-lined long before director mennan yapo drags you over the shaggy-dog finish line .", "julian mcmahon is sandy 's husband , and he really needs to do something about those eyebrows . they do n't even cover his eyes % u2013 they 're more like eye-postrophes than brows .", "bullock may be easing away from her kooky miss congeniality persona and into more substantial material at just the right time in her career .", "an hour of boring confusion followed by thirty minutes of a laughable ending", "breathtakingly stupid movie .", "linda 's routine looks pretty much like updated donna reed : no wonder she wants out .", "sandra bullock morphs from the shopping mall rom-com queen to the sixth sense psycho but ca n't pull it off in this solo performance of woman 's intuition gone bad .", "in MOV , sandra bullock plays a woman going through a horrifying experience . she keeps waking up in this movie .", "MOV is so bad , there 's even a scene mirroring the time when the old nighttime soap dallas jumped the shark with bobby ewing in the shower !", "one reality bullock unfortunately ca n't change is the ineluctable trudge toward the appallingly boneheaded ending .", "its biggest failing - and the ultimate one for a lightweight entertainment such as this - is that it 's a deadly bore from start to finish . even more annoying is its blind-alley structure resulting in an unsatisfying mind game for the audience .", "the picture ca n't decide between cheap scares or deep thoughts , so it goes for both .", "answers most of its mysteries , even if the resolutions are disappointingly vague", "`` i do n't know what to fight for , '' a tortured bullock tells her local priest . my suggestion would be better scripts . a couple more like this one and i can see `` speed 3 '' on the horizon !", "it may be the first time you ever find yourself as confused as a contestant on are you smarter than a 5th grader .", "a lethargic thriller that appears to just give up several times over , even foregoing the twist ending it seems destined for .", "screenwriter bill kelly has some wild ideas for this mental time bomb , but he has problems organizing the thrills and the chills in the correct order for maximum unease .", "you know those ` in a world where ... ' movie trailers ? well , MOV 's would start out : ` in a world where no one has ever seen groundhog day ... '", "this is a much dumber movie than the lake house . in fact , the script is an ungainly mess and ultimately a shaggy-dog story .", "ageless beauty sandra bullock gives her typical automated performance in a superficial cross between the recent `` deja vu '' and bullock 's own excruciating movie `` the lake house . ''", "MOV is a shoo-in for my list of the year 's worst films , assuming that i can even remember what it is nine months from now .", "so there you have it : go to church , keep your husband 's gaze averted from stray blondes , try not to think about the future , and all shall be well .", "surprisingly slow and relentlessly absurd ...", "it 's a pointless race against time .", "this first american film by german director mennan yapo drags by like a friday afternoon at work . several of them . over and over .", "MOV 's way of dressing its marital crisis material in twilight zone garb grabs attention but looks flimsy upon further inspection .", "i just returned from the immediate future , like two minutes from now , and i have a strong feeling i 'm about to give this movie a big thumbs down .", "MOV is annoying , mind-numbing , unoriginal , and it 's certainly not entertaining .", "comparisons to other time-bending pictures -lrb- `` memento '' -rrb- are easy , but what are missing are suspense , cleverness and common sense , despite a supernatural premise . instead we have family drama that bounces between terror and mysticism , to zero effect on eith", "i had a MOV this might be a forgettable mediocrity , but i was wrong . it 's actually a laughable turd ." ], "summary": "overdosing on flashbacks , and more portentous than profound , the overly obtuse MOV weakly echoes such twisty classics as memento , the sixth sense , and groundhog day .", "id": "371353718" }, { "movie": "10010694-season_of_the_witch", "reviews": [ "it takes place during the 14th century , but everyone speaks in contemporary language , which might have been acceptable if the dialogue were clever or intelligent or funny or , you know , good .", "great song . bad movie .", "stop me if you 've heard this one . a priest , an altar boy , two crusaders , and a con artist walk toward an abbey with a suspected witch in tow .", "the first reveal of nicolas cage sporting a blond wig with ringlets that makes him look like a shirley temple drag queen impersonator after a post-medieval-party-themed blackout is the sort of fright probably not intended by its makers .", "MOV is n't quite jonah hex or little fockers bad , but it 's one helluva shoddy way to start off the year in movies and yet another crummy entry in nicolas cage 's woeful post-oscar filmography .", "not only bad in predictable ways , it 's obscenely lazy .", "a cheerfully terrible january time-waster .", "this is how ` monty python and the holy grail ' would have turned out if it had been funny unintentionally instead of intentionally .", "a 14th-century road movie with 21st-century cuss words .", "a cgi freakout at the finale ca n't save this mundane medieval thriller about witches , devils and disillusioned knights .", "MOV is a fine example of a film that would 've been great fun if only its creators had a sense of humor about the wild brew of absurdity they had percolating .", "think of it as a modern iranian adultery trial as imagined in 14th century europe by a terminally silly dreamer .", "it 's part fairy tale-gone-wrong , part recycled legend , part panto horror . think the wolfman , or van helsing , only worse .", "it 's entertaining in a cheerfully ridiculous way , though cage fans will be disappointed that he does not really lose his rag , despite some serious provocation from the lord of darkness .", "the stench of plague is all around , unless that 's an aroma emanating from the script .", "a mediocre knights-and-witchcraft b-movie that 's somewhat cheesy , somewhat intriguing , and ultimately just not all that involving .", "directed by the perennially hollow dominic sena from a script by bragi schut , `` MOV '' is all seams . it never balances out its competing desires ...", "welcome to the january dead zone .", "while ` witch ' might not be the worst thing i see this year , it 's apparently been riddled with its own case of the black plague since day one . every inch of the movie is infected with bad decisions that spread throughout each and every frame .", "not nearly funny or weird enough to see with friends after a few drinks , and despite impressive locations does n't have enough visual appeal to simply watch on mute .", "lacking any sort of energy and the weak premise at its core means there 's very little anyone or anything could have been done to salvage it .", "a nicolas cage movie where nicolas cage does n't lose his shit . avoid .", "avoid it -- wait for it -- like the black plague .", "it 's a bit cheesy but there is action and tension and strong graphic effects - and even a deadpan moment", "just how big was that irs bill , anyway ?", "anti-oscar-movie people , this one is for you .", "it 's amazing how little entertainment value there is in watching nicolas cage and ron perlman play world-weary crusaders in a movie called MOV . come on ! it 's ghost rider and hellboy !", "for long , long stretches , -lsb- it 's -rsb- too leaden and dour to be any fun at all .", "director dominic sena sets a quick pace ; the dull moments are brightened by the unexpectedly likable team of cage and perlman .", "guns are fun in movies , but bashing about with broadswords speaks to the 12-year-old in all of us .", "god 's teeth !", "cage is effective as a falling down drunk in las vegas or a treasure hunter navigating goofy road trips but not as a disillusioned champion of the church going one-on-one with a demon . steven seagal would have been more believable .", "poor plot twists and cgi-heavy action further muddle what might have been an intriguing story of fanaticism and superstition .", "from script to editing , this witch does n't float .", "nicolas cage = modern day bela lugosi in declining years", "spellbinding it 's not .", "witch 's spell only partially effective", "director dominic sena is more like a less amusing uwe boll than ingmar bergman .", "dominic sena directs all this stuff and nonsense with a paucity of fun unbecoming a loopy tale of medieval witches starring nicolas cage and ron perlman .", "begins with a bang -lrb- a hanged witch rises from a watery grave to dispatch her tormenter -rrb- but ends with a thud -lrb- a bungled exorcism releases a silly-looking computer-animated demon -rrb- .", "this painfully earnest and overblown medieval swords-and-sorcery road movie is unlikely to warm the cockles of any but the most die-hard fans of cage 's stentorian growl and arch overacting .", "cage 's disappointingly subdued performance stands as the proverbial straw that broke the camel 's back ...", "although i will likely be disemboweled from my toes to my nose -lrb- metaphorically speaking only , i hope -rrb- for this proclamation , i did n't think MOV was all that bad ! *", "after a while , the movie tires of the witch business and trots out a plot twist that permits the effects department to spend money .", "not the stinker that everyone says it is , but you do have to ignore its flaws in order to be entertained .", "the filmmakers try to use special effects to cover up the weaknesses of the story , but even on that point they fail pretty badly .", "cage merely stands around looking glum , letting his hair extensions do the acting for him .", "i may be in the minority of critics to think so , but MOV is an enjoyable medieval thriller that 's well-made in spite of some moments of silliness .", "have low expectations for this movie and you might just be surprised .", "it 's an uwe boll kind of film that 's been directed with a certain degree of competency by previous cage collaborator dominic sena .", "another forgettable trifle from cage .", "makes the last airbender look like avatar .", "the only time i was even modestly entertained was when the 10-year-old boy sitting behind me -lrb- obviously taken out of school to see the film by his model parents -rrb- started belching unrelentingly at the screen .", "while certainly no witchfinder general , it does n't deserve to be burned at the stake .", "did they really say `` i 've saved your ass '' in medieval europe ?", "MOV suffers from a general laziness .", "it 's centurion deux without the second-coming-of-carpenter pretense , though you still wish the trashiness were more distinctive .", "a cursed abomination ... as a priest observes , ` we 're going to need more holy water ! '", "how many mediocre movies can nicolas cage make and still have a career ? i guess we will wait and see .", "this is the puffy-faced nic cage . the one who fights for christ and little debbies and not necessarily in that order .", "` MOV ' entertains , but do n't get me wrong , it 's a bad movie .", "-lsb- video -rsb- this movie sucks so awfully that you 'd think it was a vicious prank .", "it will probably be the worst reviewed movie of the year , it may break up couples mid-date night , and fraternities are sure to use it in tandem with contraband beverage four loko for hell week hazing . but come on , it 's not that bad .", "authenticity takes a back seat . swordfights , wolf-punching and zombie monks clamber into the front seat and smash a hole through the windscreen .", "you 've seen more convincing medieval performances from guys at ye olde pancake house after a larp scrimmage . with all the dead birds and fish , this might seem like a timely piece of apocalyptic fiction . but such pestilence is annual par for nicolas cage .", "we need a serious suspension of disbelief to accept these two aging actors as faultless warriors in tip-top shape .", "disregards characters , emotions and even dramatic tension in favour of an endless parade of ` cool shit ' to impress its perceived audience of 13 year olds .", "it 's the seventh seal meets get him to the greek meets lord of the rings as if filtered through uwe boll 's hack-tastic brain .", "even an actor like nicolas cage can not elevate such a disappointingly anachronistic and incoherent religious epos .", "you 'll want to spend lots of time checking out those costumes , because , perlman and lee aside , there 's not much to watch in the acting department .", "if it 's january , it must be time for another nicolas cage film", "despite some terrific locations in hungary and the austrian alps , this ho-hum 14th-century history lesson remains routine and unconvincing right up to its all-hell-breaks-loose cgi-heavy finale .", "you 've probably never heard of first time screenwriter bragi f schut . and , after wading through this 14th century swords-and-witches hokum you 'll probably never want to see his name again .", "dull : the last thing a freakin ' period-piece action-adventure occult thriller should be .", "more like a troubled nap than a compelling flick", "i could n't shake the feeling that it might have been conceived and filmed as a comedy , then edited so that it plays like a thriller .", "because this is the first release of 2011 , it would too be easy to crown `` MOV '' the worst film of the year , but i 'm sure it will live up to that title for weeks to come .", "another movie is turned into a turkey .", "even the most dedicated of nicolas cage 's fans will find little to enjoy about the historical-fantasy-action romp MOV .", "as the stakes rise , time for buddy-comedy drops ; the jolts are too minor to register , the action mostly unimpressive .", "cage alternates between leaden line readings and thunderous outbursts , making his accomplished costars ulrich thomsen and stephen campbell moore look even better . but the movie 's worst aspect is the cgi , which packs no scares whatsoever .", "just wait for the viral video highlights , coming soon to a computer screen near you .", "the film is not altogether dreadful , although it 's far from good . and that 's not good . classic stinkeroos are rarer than masterpieces , and we all need a laugh now and then , even if the laughs are inadvertent .", "it 's not quite nutty enough to be a guilty pleasure .", "rather than elevating this wanna-be hammer horror flick , cage somehow lowers its quality .", "a mishmash of horror and history genres that 's not as bad as its trailers but ultimately is dragged down by , of all things , its star .", "audiences considering `` MOV '' should heed the timeless advice of its ancestor `` holy grail '' -- run away !", "good production values almost rescue this overwrought medieval tale .", "off the top of my head , i 'm guessing that `` MOV '' claims a place in the top five all-time bizarre and pointless homages to art cinema .", "this is n't a documentary about christine o'donnell 's recent senate campaign in delaware . that would be a lot more entertaining ... it may remind you of the movies of uwe boll .", "it 'll come as little surprise to anyone who follows cage 's career that he 's picked yet another dud . yes , after knowing , bangkok dangerous , g-force and next , the follically-challenged actor has done it again .", "is `` felson '' not a moniker more appropriate to a sitcom second banana than a fierce warrior ?", "the screenplay is like a transcription of a dungeons and dragons session ... the ` performances ' are like clueless imitations of monty python by actors who do n't understand comedy .", "MOV is as bloodless as a starved vampire . instead of a review , it deserves a stake in the heart .", "disappointing , sluggishly directed medieval thriller with poor special effects , a plot that manages to be both dull and nonsensical and not even a bonkers performance from cage to liven things up .", "not a good film by any stretch of the imagination , but far from cage 's worst .", "worst . d&d session . ever .", "p.t. barnum and h.l. mencken remain inarguably correct in their assessment of the public 's gullibility and appetite .", "it 's the crucible , except with real magic creatures , copious cage bon mots , and the incomparably ridiculous sight of perlman head-butting beelzebub .", "does to the medieval era what cage 's wicker man did to anthony shaffer .", "cage plods through the story with a stiffly restrained , exaggeratedly earnest performance that makes him look like the most awkward amateur in the local society for creative anachronism troupe .", "if you can sit through an uwe boll movie , and be genuinely entertained ; then run , do n't walk , to see MOV .", "did either cage or sena even bother reading bragi f. schut 's patchwork script , before adjusting the wig , flicking on the camera and cashing the pay cheques ?", "there are almost no laughs to be had in MOV . that 's unfortunate , because the only chance that this overproduced yet still shoddy piece of early-january multiplex fodder had of being entertaining was as an unintentional comedy classic .", "really , at its worst , the whole thing 's a little bit like `` monty python and the holy grail '' - minus the jokes .", "a middle-of-the-road bore , with only occasional flashes of the fun that could have been had the whole way through .", "ever since bergman 's `` the virgin spring '' was remade as `` last house on the left , '' his work has suggested a rich mine for homage .", "the scariest thing about MOV is the movie itself , an abomination of bad filmmaking and terrible acting .", "cage 's old pal dominic sena is a decade removed from their `` gone in 60 seconds '' directing glory , and he gets nothing out of this script that is n't pure hokum .", "it 's got videogame-from-hell f/x , plus jousting , plus cage in tangled long hair he seems to have mistakenly put in the washing machine .", "unchallenged and over-wigged , cage is merely biding his time with this serving of horror hooey , obviously more interested in hearing the sweet sound of `` cut ! '' than trying to make a tepid screenplay shuffle .", "it is a hopeless mish-mash that feels like they were making it up as they went along . it 's also dull .", "MOV begins in a crusade taking place after the crusades , in a 14th century for dummies about as immersive and real as the ohio state renaissance festival .", "it 's creaky , predictable and frequently idiotic . but for a tipsy saturday night , this should tick all the right boxes ." ], "summary": "slow , cheap-looking , and dull , MOV fails even as unintentional comedy .", "id": "770816170" }, { "movie": "proof", "reviews": [ "paltrow gives a coiled , impressively internal performance .", "somewhere in the translation from stage to screen , david auburn 's powerful pulitzer prize-winning play was transformed into a goopy gwyneth paltrow movie .", "it 's deep , to be sure , but also light , something that takes a deft touch to pull off successfully . more than anything , it 's good to see paltrow getting her swerve on again .", "MOV plays cleverly with the arcane mysteries of game theory , and if it 's only a game , happily , it 's one worthy of exhibition . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "a respectable but mild , drab little film .", "paltrow is pretty commanding , even if madden pushes things toward airlessness by keeping the camera so tight . the anguish on that lovely , haggard face -- you 're right there with her , yearning for the moment you both can finally breathe .", "miscast yet marvelous , paltrow and the rest of the cast hold you to the movie , even when you intuitively sense something is lacking .", "like the best play-to-movie adaptations , it leaves us feeling that we 've had a powerful and enriching theatrical experience .", "i liked it better on the stage , though the performances -lrb- especially paltrow 's -rrb- are exceptional .", "the material is formulaic , however cerebral .", "an elegant adaptation to the screen , with the play 's qualities largely intact and great performances from paltrow and hope davis , as her sister . jake gyllenhaal and anthony hopkins complete a dream cast .", "MOV is something of a puzzle , an all-star drama that has the feel of a sunday afternoon film . think curiosity , not must see .", "as a story about personal and family dysfunction , and about coming to terms with life 's uncertainties , MOV is n't bad .", "a subtle , slow-burning mystery that does justice to its themes of identity , sanity and sacrifice .", "madden stages the action with a minimum of imagination and gets a career-worst performance out of davis in a key role , but the material still sputters to life on the strength of the writing and paltrow 's commitment to the part .", "full review in greek", "timid staging faithful adaptation = no cinema", "offers a convincing demonstration of the theorem that good writing and sensitive performances can equal an engaging and nuanced piece of cinema .", "MOV is a smart film , but it tries too hard . it wears its heart on its sleeve , and the pathos becomes a bit much because there is little to balance it out .", "a limp , and utterly pointless melodrama that 's never as intelligent as it thinks .", "if you know nothing about differential equations or prime number theories , well you 're probably not alone , but it wo n't affect your ability to appreciate this movie .", "you get the feeling -lrb- paltrow -rrb- craves emotionally traumatic scenes in which snot can drip from her character 's nose .", "crackling good work , emotionally and intellectually interesting and grandly entertaining , saved from pomposity a good deal of the time by its sense of humor .", "MOV now joins 1984 's amadeus , 1985 's made-for-television version of death of a salesman and 1988 's dangerous liaisons on the list of the best modern movie adaptations of the past 25 years .", "emotions are built around acts of betrayal never truly felt by the viewer , or that register as phony or overblown .", "the play , with all of its key surprises and biting exchanges intact , is up there on the screen . but given the depth and fascinating pull of auburn 's writing , that 's a good thing .", "somehow the formula fails . almost everyone involved in this production seems to be off their game .", "MOV that you can drain most of the juice out of a play and still have an enjoyable night at the movies .", "another movie that toys with ideas but forgets to establish a credible atmosphere .", "flattened onto the screen ... everybody always seems to be saying exactly the wrong thing to poor gwyneth , which gives her the right to be insufferable .", "an extraordinary thriller about matters of scholarship and the heart , about the true authorship of a mathematical MOV and the passions that coil around it .", "the story 's genial unpretentiousness has been darkened and weighed down , and what 's left is less than prime .", "the story 's emotional stakes are such a grab bag that it 's difficult to feel much urgency about the outcome .", "blessed with crisp dialogue , bright wit and a strong lead performance .", "intelligent middlebrow entertainment with a few juicy roles to feed talented actors .", "the film version is a powerful adaptation with fiery performances , plenty to decipher and enough yelling to give anyone 's brain an ache .", "` MOV ' is brilliant enough as a play that even if you only capture some of the genius on film , as john madden has done , you 're still left with a pretty good movie .", "paltrow is left alone , much like catherine , suffering and longing for someone - anyone - to come up to her level . no one ever does .", "catherine is an infinitely less convincing version of arcadia 's girl genius ; the MOV is just a macguffin ; it runs out of plot and has not one idea in its head .", "a thoughtful , intelligent film about brilliant but troubled people ... works on both an intellectual and an emotional level .", "the trouble with MOV is that , however efficiently it completes its task , you have to ask whether the job was worth starting .", "just as he kept shakespeare in love years ago from leaping into greatness with his banal direction , madden similarly keeps things stately and sleepy here .", "the emotional heft of MOV is considerable , even with some problems inadequately worked out .", "the sparks go out in john madden 's film version , with a script by auburn and rebecca miller and starring a wan gwyneth paltrow .", "paltrow gives a moving , realistic account of the emotions peculiar to caregivers ; a heavy , thought-provoking , involving film that left me exhausted but invigorated .", "-lsb- paltrow is -rsb- great in this .", "an elegant , intelligent drama of a breed increasingly rare in mainstream american movies .", "it explores issues of love , trust and family wonderfully through the inner life and ironic wit of paltrow 's character .", "despite paltrow 's mediocrity and madden 's middlebrow tone , MOV still manages to deliver a cereberal yet emotional tale about genius and madness in academe and personal life", "for a prime audience , it splendidly dramatizes an esoteric and brainy subject without testing your knowledge of math theorems . `` MOV '' proves it can be done .", "for patient viewers , it does offer a carefully considered and ultimately inspiring examination of how the need for order and logic is less important than a willingness to embrace chaos .", "it 's a quiet kind of triumph . i know no one saw it but i hope more people will .", "paltrow stars as a woman who may or may not be around the twist . having named her real-life child after a piece of fruit , that 's what i call inspired casting .", "... the story reveals a lot less substance than there appears to be .", "sadly , the impact of the clever parallelogram of emotional and philosophical concerns in auburn and rebecca miller 's screenplay is deadened by the director 's overly literal -- mechanical -- cinematic interpretation .", "a masterpiece before it reached the screen and maybe the highest praise that can be offered in celebration of this film version is that it remains one .", "intense and compelling , MOV is an absorbing film that shows the intricacies of the human mind are as complex as a mathematical equation .", "smart , well-acted , and wonderfully directed .", "sure , the play won the pulitzer prize , but that does n't mean it makes a great film , in my opinion . maybe it just works better on the stage .", "we are invited to believe that hopkins , paltrow and gyllenhaal all have , in their various ways , alpha-brains . they look to me like they could n't recite the three-times-table without smoke coming out of their ears .", "gwyneth paltrow gives the greatest peformance of her career .", "engaging in a way that math rarely is .", "for adults who can appreciate the intellectual qualities as well as the emotional power .", "MOV is a stirring motion picture that challenges our views on a great many things about life , some of which we take for granted .", "the graceful discipline of math theory sits in stark contrast to the ugly realities of dementia , a collective contrast crackling with melodramatic vigor .", "strong performances distract from an often convoluted story .", "MOV ca n't conjure a single legitimate thread , or an emotion to back it up .", "judging by how it provides its cast with showy moments amidst the sweet little oblique nothings , i 'm guessing that MOV is mostly about winning awards .", "somewhere between a beautiful mind and wonderboys , we get MOV a very good film that among other things explores the link between youth and genius .", "so few movies even attempt to engage viewers in a conversation this deep that i 'm ready to celebrate paltrow and forgive many of the film 's other flaws .", "astonishingly intelligent , richly compelling drama , exploring the thin line between insanity and genius .", "in MOV , -lsb- paltrow -rsb- seems to be drawing upon a fund of real pain and it does wonders for the film .", "MOV , the movie , is alive and sulking .", "gwyneth paltrow plays the daughter of a famous dead mathematician in john maddens terribly serious film adaptation of the much-admired broadway play .", "it 's hard to quarrel with the way MOV depicts mathematical genius as an unknowable abstraction . otherwise , we might need advanced degrees to watch it .", "the delights are in the details , and in the way the convoluted story unfolds by bits and pieces .", "MOV is a winning drama that oscillates with confidence and emotional tension .", "hopkins , his hair and beard gone white , unravels with gorgeous precision .", "john madden 's competent , monotonous film version , not exactly stagebound but hardly freewheeling , only underscores its mechanical nature .", "paltrow gives the performance of the year , and perhaps of her career .", "-lrb- john -rrb- madden and -lrb- gwyneth -rrb- paltrow are , once again , simpatico as collaborators .", "surrounded by thespians who 've been knighted and married to rock stars , davis steals the show as the self-absorbed , well-meaning but annoying big sis .", "madden does a competent job transferring the film from stage to screen .", "the argument MOV makes in its cool , sophisticated way is that sometimes it is difficult to clarify the line between insane individual and insane genius .", "intelligent and well-realized but lacking much of an emotional charge .", "... `` tasteful '' is probably the operative word for the entire thing . it 's hard to fault anybody 's work here . if there is a problem , it is an insubstantiality in the source material ...", "a decent film that ... remains married to its words and bound to its limited sets .", "-lsb- a -rsb- n infantile fantasy ... of not just being daddy 's favorite but being chosen , by some mysterious power , to inherit his gift .", "paltrow 's inward performance is of a piece with her stunning work as sylvia plath in the biopic sylvia .", "jake gyllenhaal brings a certain geeky sweetness and enthusiasm to his role as hal . there 's also genuine chemistry between him and gwyneth , even if she seems a little too old for him .", "aided immeasurably by paltrow 's ace performance , it 's the poignantly-felt human drama and delicate relationships in MOV that make the film a worthwhile experience .", "-lsb- paltrow 's -rsb- is a performance that redeems everything else about this film , and allows for the hope that there will be many more to come in this gifted actress ' career .", "a cozy , middlebrow production putting an acting spotlight on paltrow , surrounded by an unchallenged hopkins and jake gyllenhaal as a liberating love-interest spirit .", "MOV is a very emotional and engaging movie almost all the way through , but it loses it at the end .", ". . has n't shaken the feel of its floorboards , -lsb- but auburn 's -rsb- characters still come alive with complex relationships that hang in the balance of every exchange of his words .", "you leave the theater appreciative of the movie 's dramatic yield , but not truly swept up in reverie . the way most of us feel about middle and high school math , i guess .", "presents a knot of questions , twisted up inside a knot of delicate performances and a fragmented narrative .", "hits the mark as an exploration of a woman who gives away her gold to others and must find a way to acknowledge her own genius .", "its themes of trust , the depth of filial responsibility and concerns about genetic inheritances are explored with depth and intelligence .", "something went terribly wrong here and one of the fine theatrical experiences of recent years turns into celluloid dross .", "some plays are better left as plays . as my MOV , i present MOV , which is as tedious on the big screen as it probably was gripping in the intimacy of a theater .", "MOV offers evidence -- if not MOV -- that there 's still intelligent life in the movies .", "here 's an interesting , sometimes frustrating , film about who really wrote a mathematical MOV and how it affects those involved in the mystery .", "despite a stage-bound script , this story of family politics and mathematical genius is intriguing and fairly involving", "... -lrb- MOV -rrb- pushes the story beyond a mere romantic entanglement ... into one of finding -lrb- one 's -rrb- direction and the confidence to pursue it ...", "were it not for paltrow 's rafter-rattling rages and the occasional engaging moments between catherine and hal ... the film could easily serve as cinematic sominex .", "paltrow overcomes her ingenue actress image and does a good job with a role of a deeply troubled and perhaps brilliant woman , the daughter of a schizophrenic mathematician who was one of the great lights of modern mathematics .", "as with many film adaptations of stage successes , david auburn 's pulitzer prize-winning play about mathematics and madness , MOV , loses something in its translation to celluloid .", "a melodrama is a melodrama , even if the people in it occasionally announce something like , ` i figured out how to get a lower bound for h. '", "among the startling revelations : math is precise but life is sloppy .", "MOV proves you can watch a flick about depressed , schizophrenic people concocting complicated math equations and still enjoy it . i swear !", "the freedom film affords has allowed auburn and co-writer rebecca miller -lrb- the ballad of jack and rose -rrb- to open up the material and , remarkably , deepen it , adding a layer of pathos to catherine 's angst .", "those who did n't see the theatrical production -lrb- myself among them -rrb- might be left wondering if the material looked this phony on stage .", "what theater critics unanimously described as brilliant on stage is oddly flat and unemotional on screen ; instead of being pulled into the piece by the throat , one tends to admire certain aspects of the screenplay from a considerable emotional distance .", "MOV is like its own page of badly done math homework . it shows all work , all right . but it feels cribbed from an answer sheet . and it never proves a thing .", "while scrupulously intelligent , literate , and sardonically funny , john madden 's reportedly faithful adaptation of david auburn 's broadway hit never quite breaks free enough of its theatrical origins to feel like a bona fide film .", "too much of this adaptation of david auburn 's pulitzer prize-winning play feels static , staged and largely unbelievable .", "MOV will put a lot of viewers right back where they left off in 12th-grade calculus : asleep .", "when it counts , MOV wins points for subtlety and keeping its answers closer to the chest .", "although she tends to get actressy in her work , paltrow 's catherine is a believable portrait of loss and grief .", "-lsb- an -rsb- emotionally rich and honest drama that makes for a quality big-screen experience for demanding grown-ups daring to go back into theatres once the summer 's silly heat has died down .", "you could n't find a role more comfortable for paltrow , who is at her best , ranging effortlessly from seething anger to trembling tenderness .", "it 's not just that -lsb- paltrow -rsb- has trouble playing the part of a math genius ; she seems to have trouble at times playing the part of a human being .", "although it probably worked a lot better on the stage ... MOV is an intriguing story .", "paltrow played catherine on stage in london and is at her best here since she last performed under madden 's direction in shakespeare in love .", "few movies regard the psyche with such sober discernment .", "unconvincing MOV deflates the mathematical experience through a morose script and a pacing that is melancholic .", "less than the sum of its parts .", "many of the very attributes that made david auburn 's MOV an award-winning stage play hamper it as a film .", "despite a great cast and an interesting premise , MOV feels more like an outline for a movie than the real thing .", "the result , like so many stout travellers from stage to screen , is respectable . stolidly , bloodlessly , yawningly respectable .", "paltrow and davis give remarkable performances ... -lsb- but -rsb- hopkins , playing a man dealing with his mental decline , is overly imperious , too much lion and not enough winter .", "... academic subject matter given an emotional treatment .", "madden has assembled some powerhouse talent , and particularly in the second half of the film , he cuts between present and past with a frenzy that ratchets up the suspense of this romantic whodunit .", "what was perfectly calibrated and compelling on stage seems mechanical and perfunctory on film .", "one wonders how transcendent the film might have been in the hands of a more versatile actress than paltrow .", "resolutely uncinematic , auburn 's tale of a maybe mathematics prodigy feels thin and underpopulated . some plays are better left on the stage .", "'m going to make a prediction and you can hold me to it : gwyneth paltrow is going to get an oscar nomination . no ifs ands or buts . she 's going to get one , and she deserves it .", "director john madden 's emotionally rich , intellectually exciting MOV is a throwback to a time when pulitzer prize-winning plays routinely were made into movies .", "once you get past that golden swag and curtain of hair , paltrow 's performance is devastating , cutting to the pith and marrow of parent-child relations ." ], "summary": "gwyneth paltrow and anthony hopkins give exceptional performances in a film that intelligently tackles the territory between madness and genius .", "id": "7585" }, { "movie": "rocky_iv", "reviews": [ "proves once again that all the world loves an underdog .", "-lrb- no quote available . -rrb-", "boxers are noted for their hubris , but stallone , perhaps still punch-drunk from the early success , would have been better advised to have quit rather than suffer the body blows of this nonsense .", "a far cry from the delights -lrb- both large and small -rrb- of its illustrious original .", "the crazed flag-waving would be a lot easier to take if it were n't so clearly a commercial calculation meant to salvage what is otherwise a crass , careless , shamelessly padded film .", "... suffers from a vibe of superfluousness ...", "film reduced to the barest of three acts .", "the film 's only major disappointment is a lack of screen-time for a pre-foofy foofy brigitte nielsen", "predictable and corny . when the soviet fans as well as the soviet government officials stand up and cheer rocky at the end , you ca n't help but roll your eyes in disbelief .", "fourth in series has lost most of punch", "his vacuous post-bout speech indicates why boxers with 75 professional bouts are rarely called upon as public speakers .", "there are simply too many ludicrous elements to ignore : paulie 's robot ; brigitte nielsen , even less expressive than the robot ; about a thousand music-video-styled montages ; lundgren 's delivery of drago 's deadly dialogue ; etc. .", "the new film 's narrative is stripped down to essentials , which gives it an emblematic quality .", "though it 's impossible not to get caught up in our hero 's russian training programme , or to root for his climactic victory , the mawkish montages accompanied by blaring music are no substitute for plot shading .", "this is grim and witless storytelling , and what makes it so depressing is that it has n't improved by so much as a chemical trace since the days of the first rocky .", "the outcome of the film is predetermined by the formulaic scripts of rocky ii and rocky iii . stallone boxed himself into a corner with this one .", "padded with clips from earlier rocky pictures , adding nothing to his mythic , let alone human dimensions , it lacks even the primitive suspense and crude capacity to release underdog emotions that permitted its predecessors to conquer one 's better judgment .", "-lsb- stallone -rsb- creates credible villains worthy of his heroic character .", "sylvester stallone is really sloughing it off shamelessly in MOV , but it 's still impossible not to root for old rocky balboa to get up off the canvas and whup that bully one more time .", "ridiculous jingoistic nonsense .", "even the hint of political power that rocky garners by the end of this latest battle is made to seem like more of the same empty glory .", "cold war metaphors delivered with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer dampens the storytelling .", "a camp classic , funny for all the wrong reasons .", "i know it 's awful , but i ca n't look away !", "more action , and less plot let 's makes rocky 's latest bout entertaining , but far from groundbreaking .", "should have stopped at three . four , no more .", "fist-pumping , heart-jumping , chest-thumping fun .", "if you ask me , it 's mostly about 1985 , a time when you could fill 90 minutes with nothing but machismo , excitement and montage .", "while this derivative and shallow sequel might weaken the credibility of the series , there 's no denying the satisfaction of watching a fight of such seemingly impossible odds .", "even sylvester stallone seems to be getting tired of the series ; as the writer and director , as well as the star , he puts himself through the same old paces ." ], "summary": "MOV inflates the action to absurd heights , but it ultimately rings hollow thanks to a story that hits the same basic beats as the first three entries in the franchise .", "id": "11576" }, { "movie": "cast_away", "reviews": [ "one-man show", "tom hanks ' powerful , brutal and mature story .", "as melancholy as it is affirming , `` MOV '' tells a darkly comic , occasionally punishing parable about what happens when humans lose sight of humility in life 's grand scheme - an interesting thematic twin to tom hanks ' own `` joe vs. the volcano . ''", "remains one of the more vividly transporting films i 've come into contact with . it 's heartbreaking , darkly comedic , bravely observational , and ultimately , pure emotional poetry .", "a gripping survival drama and one of my favorites of 2000 .", "the beginning and ending of the film are a bit underdeveloped , but that 's just quibbling .", "zemeckis ' tranquil control never wavers .", "i wish that all of the film 's 144 minutes were spent alone with hanks .", "this is mr. zemeckis ' most confident directing to date . if he only had as much faith in his audience .", "thoroughly entertaining and skillfully rendered .", "an exquisite film that gratifies our senses and our emotions .", "zemeckis is a capable director , so despite the misguided concept , the movie is anything but inept .", "movies that are supposed to be about the ` journeys of the heart ' very rarely have real heart . MOV is a major exception .", "a gripping tale of a man against the elements .", "a brave film , and a surprisingly absorbing and finally affecting one , partly because it 's about that least american of trinities -- silence , solitariness , and the spiritual deepening impossible to achieve without both .", "a blockbuster with the soul of an art film , MOV is an enormously gratifying surprise ending to a generally disappointing year at the movies .", "in terms of story and pacing , the whole of MOV is a lot less then the sum of its parts .", "as a fedex troubleshooter who survives a plane crash , hanks performs a bravura solo spin .", "director robert zemeckis and screenwriter william broyles jr. do a great job of keeping the cut-and-dried formula from , well , getting too cut and dried .", "although MOV is very much hanks 's extreme everyman solo , his inanimate man friday deserves recognition as one of the year 's best supporting actors .", "MOV is a sad movie of the sort that hollywood almost never makes : not three-hankie sad , not ` go have yourself a good cry ' sad , but the kind of thing that , if you let it in deep enough , can send a shudder to your very soul .", "tom hanks does a superb job of carrying MOV all by himself for about two-thirds of its running time , but is n't much helped by additional characters in the opening and closing sequences .", "a moving and artful odyssey , a reminder that no matter how much we try to beat the clock , time will grind ever forward .", "touching .", "MOV is , in many ways , a bold , adventurous bid for oscardom . unfortunately , what it delivers for audiences , as opposed to oscar voters , is a little questionable .", "dig deep and you 'll find a film that 's even richer than what its handsome surface seems to reveal .", "this second section is a masterpiece of filmmaking and a tour de force of acting .", "daring and accomplished .", "the producers of survivor only wish they could come up with a story as compelling and ultimately human as MOV .", "beautifully crafted .", "an eloquently told story that leaves around it enough space , and enough time , so that we can fill in the ironies on our own .", "completely engaging .", "MOV has a marshmallow middle that feels empty at the core .", "another impeccable piece of craftsmanship from zemeckis .", "tom hanks is in nearly every frame of MOV -- for more than an hour of the film , he 's literally the only human being on the screen -- and yet you never grow tired of watching him .", "if you 've seen the trailer or the commercials , you know the story , but that does n't mean you 've seen the movie .", "MOV is not a great movie , but it showcases a great performance as rich in subtlety as it is in depth .", "hanks and his collaborators deserve all the praise and awards that surely will come their way .", "in the end MOV is good enough that you 'll forgive -lsb- zemeckis -rsb- for making contact , forrest gump and what lies beneath .", "this is no holiday , and certainly no game show . the movie has depth .", "while MOV works as a simple saga of survival , the film plays on deeper levels too .", "hanks ' physical transformation also sets MOV apart , but what 's most compelling is the way it gives the audience credit for being able to put the pieces together .", "MOV amounts to little more than an unprecedented showcase for its star .", "the scenes of hanks ' complete isolation on the island , where barely a sound is heard for minutes at a time , are the best thing about MOV .", "MOV is worth your while long before you reach the anti-climactic ending .", "while hanks ' performance is masterful in this tale of survival , the movie runs out of steam , and direction , at the end .", "quite entertaining , and well worth seeing , if only for hanks ' sensational performance .", "thoroughly absorbing .", "tom hanks stands three coconuts above the cbs whiners and gives an astounding performance as a modern-day robinson crusoe .", "has no shortage of compelling moments .", "MOV has the smooth , steady , luxury-car elegance of an outing shaped by people at the top of their craft .", "something we 've long suspected turns out to be true : you really could put tom hanks on a desert island , film it , and wind up with an entertaining movie .", "an interesting and courageous experiment ... -lsb- but -rsb- risk-taking in itself does not guarantee a great film", "... fascinating , moving , full of meaning and well worth investing 143 minutes of your life .", "come to this film with an open mind , and enjoy its compelling mood , its exotic , deadly danger-in-beauty-of-nature setting and tom hanks ' riveting performance .", "picture any other actor in this virtually one-man show and ask yourself if you 'd be interested in spending two hours alone with him on an island .", "this is a good film ; if it had stuck to its guns , it could have become a cinema classic .", "i felt like the real ending had been MOV .", "this is one of those love it or hate its ... i completely loved it . even its unorthodox ending ... i find hanks mesmerizingly talented .", "hanks ' sympathetic performance and broyles 's detailed script are above average and not a bad way to spend a few hours during the holidays .", "... an odd and unbalanced undertaking that pays distinctive attention to the appropriate elements but then draws back at all the wrong moments ...", "MOV is a significant achievement of this , or any other , year .", "it just so happens that `` MOV '' is one of the best films of the year .", "hanks deserves a lot of credit for tackling this role , not only for the physical hardships he endured . yes , it 's best actor nomination -lrb- and possibly a third win -rrb- time for america 's favorite thespian again .", "it 's not just a movie -- it 's an experience .", "a gung ho fedex systems engineer stranded on a deserted island cultivates the spiritual practice of hope and learns to respect the mysteries of the present moment .", "zemeckis tells his story ... with a control magnificent in what is n't shown as much as in what is .", "the major fault of the film lies in the capricious ending ...", "may ultimately underachieve , but the soul that hanks brings to the role -- and the film -- must not be underrated .", "this is a better story than the platitude that it seems to build up to in the final scene . but it was not all the film it could have been if zemeckis would have realized where his best material lay .", "a cinematic triumph , a motion picture so rich with honest emotions and ideas that it comes as a relative surprise that this is a big-budget , star vehicle .", "hanks delivers one of the best performances of the year . he did this despite great difficulties , among them : zemeckis and his collaborator , broyles .", "hanks conducts a master class in acting by showing a man losing his sense of himself in fractional gradations .", "the bottom line is that MOV is reaching for so many cosmic truths that it never achieves the emotional kick that any survival story must have .", "... a good title , good acting , good effects , plentiful bonus features , three mediocre stories , and a volleyball . and they say 2000 was a bad year for films !", "a film that soars above the standard big-budget hollywood fare .", "for much of the time , hanks is on screen by himself , his only dialogue addressed to an inanimate ball . a lesser performer would have made it an unendurable ordeal .", "tom hanks does an exceptional job as the only real character in the film", "all problems aside , `` MOV '' delivers some amazing moments of cinematic beauty .", "it is testament to the acting prowess and undeniable humanity exuded by tom hanks that he can carry long stretches of the film literally by himself", "es un filme sobrecogedor y motivante que dejar\u00e1 una honda huella emocional en quien tenga la oportunidad de experimentarlo", "the filmmakers risk your impatience to take us inside almost every detail of the marooned man 's life , and the risk pays off .", "you will not be bored for a second .", "is nothing less than the best movie of the year .", "an unforgettable film .", "what a better cinematic palette we would have if stars wielded their clout like this more often . ''", "MOV 's finest moments consist of hanks alone with his surroundings .", "worth the trip .", "under the direction of forest gump director robert zemeckis , hanks performance is marvelous .", "hanks and zemeckis begin with an intriguing premise ... and , by the film 's end , smother that premise under a tidal wave of sentimentality and schmaltz .", "the script is insightful and unafraid to tackle very serious issues head on . and the performances are brilliant .", "if i did n't know any better i 'd say that this film was written in order for tom hanks to win yet another academy award . yikes ! he may pull it off .", "if the stuff on the island is very , very good , let us at least admit that everything else could have been a lot worse . i mean , ron howard could have directed it , right ?", "one more project like this -lrb- or gump -rrb- and this could be the best actor/director team since deniro and scorsese .", "MOV is n't the first to recognize our modern need for primal tales , but it is among the most accomplished . it plugs straight into our unplugged fantasies .", "there 's something inherently compelling about the situation , even if the movie screwed up on the specifics .", "two hours of good movie were only moderately spoiled by thirty minutes of nora ephron-style dreck .", "thank god there 's no friday .", "i found MOV very transporting , all the more so the second time around .", "one thing is bound to come out of MOV -- a deserved best actor nomination for hanks .", "a film brimming over-the-top with realism and features one of our most treasured -lrb- and likable -rrb- actors , tom hanks , in an incredible , virtually silent performance as a survivor .", "for a critic quite prepared to dismiss the movie as robinson blew so , this comes as the season 's most delightful surprise .", "the choppy narrative makes chuck 's ordeal seem more brief than it is . as shown , it 's merely the world 's worst layover .", "a handsomely made , instructive but finally tedious blow-by-blow training film on island survival that it throws the entire venture out of balance , capsizing the enterprise and making it difficult to keep any kind of message afloat .", "hanks turns in an oscar-worthy performance yet again .", "a tour de force , a courageous and surprisingly un-self-indulgent exercise in pared-down acting that makes hanks , yet again , a likely oscar contender .", "MOV is an adventure movie of extraordinary simplicity and power .", "pulls the audience in with sure-footed storytelling and a commendable performance by hanks in a very demanding role .", "a model of restrained storytelling that 's studded with a series of pure emotional peaks .", "the usually flashy and fun-loving zemeckis opts for an almost documentary-style approach here , with cunning use of silence , darkness and the sound of pounding rain to convey chuck 's disorientation and desperation .", "a technical marvel with indelible scenes that linger long after the movie has ended .", "hanks fans may very well love this movie , but it does not fulfill its promise .", "an awesome movie .", "in addition to hanks ' superb acting , amazing cinematography by don burgess helps lift this movie above the ordinary .", "MOV remains daring and quite unique even though it could have been even more , and hanks ' performance is really something to be seen .", "hanks 's everyman quality has never been more aptly utilized : he 's the perfect stand-in for all of us who never made it to eagle scout .", "the challenge to the character is matched by the challenge to the actor ; for most of the movie mr. hanks is the only human being we see or hear . he tackles the job with stunning confidence in a performance stripped of gimmicks and driven by need .", "chuck has flashes of ingenuity that filled me with the thrill of discovery and invention , and stretches of failure that i felt just as acutely .", "h\u00e1 um filme bel\u00edssimo escondido em n\u00e1ufrago . infelizmente , ele est\u00e1 enterrado no meio de duas extremidades que deixam muito a desejar .", "zemeckis does an excellent job of finding visual means to express chuck 's isolation and thought process .", "takes admirable risks while avoiding pitfalls .", "a heavy-handed hymn to the human spirit , and a pretty joyless one at that .", "it was the tail of the tale , the last 25 minutes , that left me marooned .", "has all the hallmarks of a great motion picture : well-developed characters , solid drama , non-traditional adventure , and an intelligent script .", "unusual and remarkable .", "tom hanks does an incredible performance in this role , as you would guess .", "can a movie that spends about 80 % of its runtime alone on an island with one man actually not be boring ? you bet .", "hanks has little besides his body at his disposal , and the actor still creates one of the most poignant and tragic characters ever committed to celluloid .", "zemeckis pulls off his best directorial effort yet , and that 's quite a statement considering the films he already has under his belt .", "an enjoyable , moving drama in which you 'll believe a man can love a volleyball . highly recommended .", "hanks made more faces and walked around with his mouth open more than i might have liked , but he has a way of revealing his thoughts without words that kept me intrigued .", "while his philosophical ventures seem stuck in the shallow end of the pool , zemeckis takes an important step forward as a filmmaker .", "this is n't a first time a long-awaited movie has turned out to be a crushing disappointment and it wo n't be the last , but the loss is made even more wrenching when one considers how little it would have taken to make MOV a great movie .", "though hanks comes across as blandly as ever , at least his solid performance shows he 's up to carrying half a movie on his own , and zemeckis ' direction is at first as busily efficient as the protagonist .", "it 's really kind of ironic . the old chuck 's life is ruled by the clock . once he 's learned better , we do n't get enough time with him because the author 's decided it was time to go . oh , well .", "if all of MOV were as gripping as its long midsection , it would be overwhelming ; still , even with its flaws , it marks another milestone performance for tom hanks as well as for robert zemeckis .", "MOV says what you -lrb- yes , you -rrb- would end up doing if you were on a deserted island .", "it 's a risky venture , and a fascinating , straightforward glimpse into the soul of a man .", "when i prayed to the film divinities that i wanted less tom hanks at the movies , i did n't just mean that i wanted him to be thinner .", "as thought-provoking as star-driven blockbuster fare gets .", "add in chuck 's deteriorating hold on sanity -- evinced by the inspired conceit of his relationship with a volleyball on which he 's drawn a face -- and you have a long middle section of bravura filmmaking .", "this is something you 've got to see even with the flaws .", "on those rare occasions when hollywood tries , it can still produce great films .", "it 's easy now to take hanks ' acting for granted , but his work here is astonishing , among the best in his illustrious career . if MOV disappoints , it 's only because the presumption of excellence is so strong .", "at its best , MOV , like titanic , awes us with its sheer oceanic sweep and its cosmic apprehension of human insignificance .", "first-rate .", "zemeckis does a sturdy , absorbing job with the island and ocean scenes .", "as they did in forrest gump , zemeckis and hanks go big theme hunting . this time their prey eludes them .", "even those who perceived gump as nothing but a smug affirmation of mealymouthed platitudes , and thus hated it , may well be surprised at the subtleties and emotional depth that MOV eventually reaches ." ], "summary": "flawed but fascinating , MOV offers an intelligent script , some of robert zemeckis ' most mature directing , and a showcase performance from tom hanks .", "id": "12777" }, { "movie": "bread_and_tulips", "reviews": [ "strands its beatific heroine far too early in the going .", "this frothy , charming parfait of a motion picture will endear itself to many of those who seek it out .", "this wonderful italian comedy pays tribute to the deep yearnings we all have for a life of adventure , romance , and intimacy .", "soldini 's movie gets away with more than it should on warmth alone -- most of it emanating from licia maglietta .", "a feel-good movie well-suited for those who do n't require roll-in-the-aisle comedies .", "completely by-the-book in its light feel-good ways .", "a delightful feature that is as charming as its title and as beautiful as its venetian setting .", "seeing MOV may not be as good as having an actual holiday in italy , but it 's close .", "a charming comedy with enough surprises to counter its lightness .", "fun and romantic , with beautiful scenery and characters whose lives we 'd like to live if we had the nerve ... or if our passports were n't missing .", "though there 's no denying that MOV is just a feel-good movie , it is a delightfully executed , simple , and unassuming film ...", "a slight tale , charmingly told .", "a feel-good helping of cinematic tiramisu -- it 's sweet and spongy , but rather clammy and artificial .", "charms the viewer as it communicates a noble message about the need to remove oneself from the meaninglessness of daily life in order to appreciate its full worth .", "an endearing romantic daydream , but misses the bus where matters of reality are concerned .", "like a pleasant , gentle book that , once finished , makes you think , ` gee , i could have spent that time reading something better . '", "it 's all very sweet , but the film goes in too many directions .", "an airy , scrumptious valentine of a romantic fable .", "the heart knows what it wants in MOV , and so do the filmmakers . every eccentric character , plot-twist and contrivance is a means to that end .", "as for star licia maglietta , the appeal of the film is nearly all in her presence .", "every one of the characters is caught up in the real world of missed opportunities and broken souvenirs .", "as summer ends , this delightfully frothy italian romantic comedy is a beguiling getaway for mature audiences .", "sweet but uneven", "a sweet-spirited , extremely well-cast little comedy .", "i found it rather comparable to a typical television sitcom , which is n't exactly a glowing recommendation .", "though lightweight , it 's irresistible .", "pretty much the standard indie formula : an oppressed housewife miraculously discovers herself as an independent woman .", "if you ca n't get away for that romantic summertime italian vacation , do n't worry , just take this sweet comedic trip .", "a scenic , gentle diversion .", "characters ' eccentricities feel contrived and the wackiness seems forced .", "a well-crafted crowd-pleaser .", "we traipse into this magical world as tourists , but mr. soldini , with graceful good humor , invites us to pretend that we 're natives .", "a charming little film , filled with eccentric characters and ingratiating performances .", "it casts a pleasant , amusing and touching spell .", "i found something soft in its attempts at whimsical humor .", "unfulfilling and relentlessly saccharine .", "maglietta gives a wonderful performance as a vibrant woman emerging from a cocoon of suburban malaise .", "as a charmer the movie is not a klutz . some mild excesses of whimsy are to be forgiven , even savored , like nibbling a few extra olives on your plate of antipasti .", "offers a delightful fairy-tale solution for those feeling trapped in a pre-assigned role , a momentary escape into the imagination .", "an unsurprising and leaden effort that does n't even show off the beauty of this wondrous setting .", "we 've seen this film way too many times in countless permutations , and its lack of originality is injured by the general poorness of the direction .", "it 's a feel-good movie to see with a friend on a rainy afternoon when you both need a little getaway .", "soldini ... exploits the premise for schmaltz and easy laughs .", "maglietta is the secret of this film 's romantic charm , because we like her so much .", "see venice and sigh .", "it 's maglietta 's loveliness of spirit that grounds this strange movie .", "a slow-going but very , very sweet movie .", "although maglietta 's appealing as rosalba , cowriter and director silvio scoldini 's movie is a little too shopworn and pokey to be more than a respectable european diversion .", "a well-intentioned , warm movie that becomes increasingly saccharine and silly .", "i ca n't recall ever having seen this actress -lsb- maglietta -rsb- , but here she commands the screen .", "um filme charmoso e cativante .", "the last 20 minutes of the film include some of the most romantic filmmaking in a long time .", "a feel-good film with a schmaltzy love offering of tulips and bread .", "... the words that come to mind are `` sweet '' and `` charming . ''", "it is a very positive film in many ways . it argues that just about anybody can be redeemed .", "leisurely paced and very easy to watch .", "it 's almost as if solidini ... figured that all he had to do was put a crowd of eccentric characters together and magic would occur .", "sweet , delicately comic and a complete delight ." ], "summary": "MOV is a sweet-natured comedy offering gentle , escapist entertainment .", "id": "10490" }, { "movie": "phoenix_2015", "reviews": [ "`` MOV '' takes its time and leaves us guessing until the final electrifying scene .", "a thoroughly entertaining movie that probes our most painful history and provides a scalpel of a plot .", "you may not buy all the story twists , but perhaps the script is not meant to be taken literally .", "-lsb- i -rsb- t 's engrossing enough to keep the doubts about the story itself at bay .", "beautiful and mysteriously powerful from beginning to end .", "`` MOV '' is an intoxicating witches ' brew , equal parts melodrama and moral parable , that audaciously mixes diverse elements to compelling , disturbing effect .", "the cinematic equivalent of a page-turner , no more and no less .", "... not only a cinephile 's treasure trove , a throwback to the film 's of the forties touched with a modern sensibility , but a canny psychological portrait of a defeated country .", "richly compelling -- despite its unlikely story -- neo-noir drama of unusual emotional and psychological complexity . another best-of-the-year contender .", "sometimes implausible and always engrossing , `` MOV '' takes us to postwar berlin , a shell of a city where concentration camp survivor nelly is a shell of herself .", "the three performances , especially the sadly tender one by hoss , keep us connected .", "petzold 's filmmaking is atmospheric and suspenseful .", "`` MOV '' is the best excuse yet to dive into the filmography of this important director .", "MOV is an extremely well-made picture , with fine lead performances by hoss and zehrfeld , who acted together in petzold 's fascinating barbara .", "-lrb- t -rrb- he cinematography and production design are outstanding , realistically capturing what germany was like immediately after the end of wwii ... this is not a film for everybody , but the acting and photography are worth the sit , despite the lack of pace .", "MOV is a death-defying melodrama of rare emotional obsession . it carefully pushes its conceit to the very limits , practically begging for the truth , or better yet , reconciliation .", "it works , due to a combination of petzold 's spartan restraint and a lovely performance by actress nina hoss .", "zehrfeld is note perfect as the gruff , single-minded johnny , oblivious -- or at least in denial -- about the true identity of his new roommate .", "this wholly absorbing , even mystical , holocaust tale has the most shattering concluding scene you 're likely to see this year .", "the movie is n't a thriller , but it still generates a strange sort of emotional suspense - an incredibly intense drama that makes you hold your breath .", "christian petzold never luxuriates in all this film history , but rather channels the artifice and affect it embodies into new insights .", "the film 's intimacy brings this societal critique right into our bedroom , exposing all the ways that marriages are their own form of subtle betrayals and self-preservation .", "so beautifully made that it comes close to perfect .", "combines naturalism and the quasi-fantastical into an assured , confident dirge .", "`` MOV `` is as much a portrait of a woman longing to find herself again as a portrait of an entire nation longing for a way to re-build .", "a preposterous narrative convulsion is played with such conviction and sincerity that all reservations are swept to the wind .", "petzold builds the film to a stunningly executed finale that serves as a potent metaphor for the way the performance required by denial ca n't hope to suppress the truth from revealing itself .", "if it does n't quite reach the level of barbara , MOV still perpetuates one of the best contemporary director-actor collaborations , one that carries on the existential quandaries of the german new wave in more accessible form .", "the warped narrative functions as an allegory for the stories that people and nations recount to themselves in order to go on surviving .", "hoss is perfect in a challenging role , a woman trying to recover bits of the person she once was , but having to do so in service to a greedy scheme that robs her of the very identity she is trying to recover .", "the film , which seems to be designed to address the mainstream and art-house spectator , is thoroughly dramatic but also thought-provokingly allegorical .", "petzold 's best film , and an early contender for one of the year 's finest .", "MOV 's premise is so questionable it 's downright unbelievable .", "german director christian petzold 's examination of berlin , through nelly 's eyes , just after the war , is somber , as is nelly 's story .", "there 's no point in explaining where all of this goes . but petzold is in command of it .", "-lsb- nina hoss ' is -rsb- the kind of performance that makes you appreciate the turmoil of emotions that can be conveyed in a look .", "nina hoss is stunning in a beautifully realized variation on a theme of hitchcock 's vertigo with a holocaust twist .", "riffs on a classic theme in significant ways that resonate beyond its melodramatic trappings . one of the best and most haunting films of 2015 .", "provocative , profoundly moving and the acting is virtuosic .", "there is intrigue . there is suspense . guilt -- a man 's guilt , a nation 's -- hangs heavy in the air .", "a simple but powerful parable of rebirth involving love , loss , betrayal , guilt and greed in a post-war germany where the enormities of the holocaust are still immediate and unresolved .", "it is touching , wonderful , filmmaking .", "petzold grows more and more into the role of a master of the cumulative power of elegant drama ... but also of the smashing payoff . MOV rises above influence , transforming itself into melodramatic heaven on its own magnificent flight .", "a thrilling , seductive game of deception fit for film noir , where lies seek to unearth truths that would rather stay buried . throughout it all , petzold concocts images that will sear their way into your memory .", "a gripping study of treachery , identity and survival .", "bleak , yet somehow brimming with hope , MOV feels like a one-off . catch it while you can .", "like its heroine , `` MOV '' speaks low but with bitter clarity .", "if it fails to consistently transcend its narrative troubles MOV does , on occasion , take flight .", "the jazzy approach takes time to settle into a groove , but the longer its themes commingle , the more MOV harmonizes into something unforgettable .", "mr. petzold has made a suave and suspenseful entertainment that does n't seem entirely sure that it wants to be - or is able to be - more .", "a profound commentary on the lasting effects of the nazi era on the german people .", "all of this plays out in a way that is restrained and understated to a fault , but hoss is quietly devastating and there are one or two affecting moments .", "a taut , atmospheric , engrossing and slow-burning noir thriller with a radiant performance by nina hoss .", "MOV is full of ambiguity and intelligence .", "vintage setting for the moral ambiguities of film noir , while creating a new showcase for petzold 's frequent muse nina hoss to create an indelible character .", "is n't stylish escapism , but a psychological drama that touches on betrayal in the aftermath of incalculable tragedy , finding petzold in command of mood and reveals , while hoss delivers exemplary work in the lead role .", "the intensely thoughtful director of yella , jerichow , and barbara has returned with his favorite actress , nina hoss , for another of their immaculately realized dramas of psychological suspense and social culpability .", "-lsb- a -rsb- gloomy , implausible noir , set in the ruins of divided postwar berlin .", "a noir-ish and complex emotional thriller .", "the plot is just implausible enough to keep the film from greatness , but director christian petzold -lrb- barbara -rrb- stirs up a powder-keg metaphor about rebuilding after war .", "german director christian petzold has come up with a splendid work of mourning and melodrama in `` MOV . ''", "we buy the premise because of the film 's dreamy quality : MOV 's berlin is a rubble-strewn labyrinth and its inhabitants walking ghosts haunted by the recent past .", "this is an amazing piece of work that transcends historical document to become art . using the filmic language of noir , petzold crafts a story of a culture caught in the aftermath of horror .", "one of the best new movies i 've seen this year .", "an ingeniously plotted and rather heartbreaking movie ...", "if the film at times feels more interesting in theory-for what it evokes , cinematic and otherwise-then all is forgotten once MOV arrives at its destination ...", "true to genre and to the history it peels back , MOV boldly offers us a war without heroes , only ghosts of broken people moving through a broken world , searching in vain for their former selves .", "borrows tension , look and conventions from postwar film noir , and the hitchcockian doubles , reversals and atmosphere of suspicion unbalance expectations of which character -lrb- if either -rrb- is cat or mouse .", "both performances are terrific in support of a screenplay rich in period detail and thematic texture , leading to a haunting final twist .", "beneath the playful genre trappings lurks something much darker - an investigation of guilty memory and wishful forgetfulness in the wake of unspeakable national horror .", "... the movie ends with one of the most memorable and spellbinding final scenes in recent cinema history .", "se estabelece como algo mais do que um melodrama , um noir , um estudo de personagem ou um romance .", "even if the pacing of petzhold 's low-key and at-times lull-prone story occasionally gets away from him , there 's no denying the power in his tale .", "`` MOV '' is a film that starts slow , gathers momentum and hits you with the force of an express train at the end .", "a deftly executed , suspenseful drama from germany .", "MOV mines a hitchcockian vein , but it is hoss ' sensitive performance and petzold 's intelligently paced direction that makes this film shine .", "MOV has a plot that hangs on the edge of believability but injects enough tension at the right moments to keep the film from tripping over itself .", "hitchcock 's vertigo has been invoked repeatedly as a comparison for christian petzold 's mesmerizing drama , but while he 's adapting a french novel that has already been turned into a film once before , absolutely nothing here feels second-hand .", "petzold slowly sketches out a world struck dumb by self-imposed amnesia , and MOV ends at a wallop of a destination , but it 's not an especially compelling journey .", "christian petzold 's MOV is a darkly melodramatic tale told in a very unmelodramatic fashion .", "the mistaken-identity trope has been used to comedic , dramatic and even horrific effect , but perhaps never in the deep noir tones of MOV , the latest from german writer/director christian petzold .", "a flawed human canvas candidly divides the characters into people facing brutal moral realities they can not transcend . while some go along to get along or succumb to identification with the oppressor , or immense heartbreak relieved by self-obliteration .", "a haunting , morbidly romantic melodrama with obvious links to vertigo , but from a reverse angle .", "the sheer magnitude of what nelly has experienced is evident and deeply felt in nina hoss ' every sad glance and hesitant gesture ." ], "summary": "tense , complex , and drenched in atmosphere , MOV is a well-acted , smartly crafted war drama that finds writer-director christian petzold working at peak power .", "id": "771387864" }, { "movie": "breathless", "reviews": [ "modern movies begin here , with jean-luc godard 's MOV in 1960 . no debut film since citizen kane in 1942 has been as influential .", "godard 's attention to nuance and detail makes this influential classic a must-see for any film lover .", "decades later , this seminal work of the french new wave is still one of godard 's freshest , most innovative , and most accessible films with a stunning performance by jean paul belmondo channeling bogart .", "even if some of MOV remains inaccessibly arty and obtuse , it 's nonetheless a film of watershed importance .", "who does n't like MOV ? it 's some kind of free-wheeling comic experiment in cool , and it works the whole way .", "a stunning classic .", "this film , a first pic by a film critic , shows the immediate influence of yank actioners and socio-psycho thrillers but has its own personal style .", "shot on a shoestring and none the worse for it , jean-luc godard 's gritty and engaging first feature had an almost revolutionary impact when first released in 1960 .", "beautiful .", "regardless of how one feels about jean-luc godard 's later , less accessible works , it would be hard to find a more audacious debut feature .", "if you 've never seen MOV , see it now -- but do n't expect an easy ride . if you have n't seen it for ages , see it again and be surprised at the fresh reactions it provokes .", "almost every frame looks smoky and luscious enough to be a nation to which lovers and young dreamers might hope one day to emigrate . it 's a film that will never wither , always inspire .", "influential . innovative . incredible .", "there is simply no other film which demonstrates so perfectly what it feels like to be young and in love .", "it 's especially impressive how completely jean seberg owns MOV considering what she 's up against .", "MOV has the proportions wrong . too much rambling , too little point .", "this movie liberated the cinema -- the stories you could tell and the ways you could tell them -- as clearly and cleanly as picasso freed painting and the sex pistols rebooted rock .", "even 50 years later , it 's easy feel how vivid a game-changer MOV must have been when it arrived .", "it 's like a bullet from the future of movies .", "MOV feels like it was -lsb- made -rsb- tomorrow .", "the camera lavishes black-and-white love on paris , strolling up the champs-elys\u00e9es , edging across caf\u00e9 terraces , sweeping over the rooftop skyline , mozart mixing with cool jazz riffs in the night air .", "it 's energy over substance .", "MOV makes alienation look like it was a lot more fun in 1960 than in the ponderous gravitas or ante-upping brutality of indie film today .", "if you miss out on this print , you are truly missing out on another life .", "it actually seems more daring now than ever before and all the more vital as a result .", "one of the most famous and influential movies ever made .", "even in an early work that blushes with the narcissistic pleasure of obsessive cinephilia , godard knew enough to look on the dark side .", "a half-century has softened the impact , but ` MOV ' still holds its own .", "though rarely discussed as either a love story or a political film , MOV maintains fascination because it is equally both .", "the actors do n't inhabit characters so much as occupy a middle ground where play-acting and fan ardor replace the embodiment of set emotions and personality traits .", "say this , in sum , for MOV : it is certainly no clich\u00e9 , in any area or sense of the word . it is more a chunk of raw drama , graphically and artfully torn with appropriately ragged edges out of the tough underbelly of modern metropolitan life .", "it stands apart from all that came before and has revolutionized all that followed .", "it 's as innovative as it is entertaining . it 's clever , hilarious , amazing ... you just ca n't miss this !", "MOV became a kind of existential hipster classic , a cool flick as well as great cinema .", "a stunning success", "it works great on a theoretical level , but it does n't really make for an exciting or all that interesting viewing experience .", "a revolution swept french cinema into the 1960s , and this film seized the public by its throat .", "fast and loose , with a buzzing sense of the potential of the cinema undercut by the beginnings of godard 's intellectual rigour .", "the film that launched the french new wave , MOV remains an outstanding testament to the great ideals of fun filmmaking that infused the movement .", "with MOV -lsb- godard -rsb- is attempting to break down the rules of the form he loves so much , in order to let us know that it is all on the table now , from subject matter to form .", "a unique hybrid , both the realization of years of critical writings by godard and ... also a film made by an unabashed cinephile .", "-lsb- video essay -rsb- goddard arrived at a kinesthetic technique of jagged cutting during the editing process as a way to speed up the action - to prune out the boring stuff .", "it retains its brilliance both as entertainment and as a groundbreaking work of art .", "MOV jumps to its own rhythm and pokes holes in its idols even as it worships them .", "vivre dangereusement jusqu?au bout .", "together , like their countermelodies , michel and patricia form a zero-sum game-nothing matters . but with michel 's death , she is left behind to ponder the consequences of their indifference .", "as his career progressed , godard 's films became more mature and accomplished , but rarely , if ever , did they pack such an immediate , visceral punch .", "on its fiftieth birthday MOV remains fresh and exciting , although its revolutionary approach has long since been absorbed into the mainstream , and the years do show on it a bit ." ], "summary": "MOV rewrote the rules of cinema -- and more than 50 years after its arrival , jean-luc godard 's paradigm-shifting classic remains every bit as vital .", "id": "17078" }, { "movie": "youngheart", "reviews": [ "regardless of your age , you 'll leave young at heart with a big smile on your face . this musical is sheer joy and infectiously happy . it 's one of this year 's best films .", "an extraordinary documentary about a senior citizen chorus that reveals singing as a spiritual practice that opens our hearts , provides fresh energy , and connects us with others .", "to observe a fluctuating group of about two dozen singers whose average age is 80 perform in the documentary young@heart is to be uplifted , if slightly unsettled .", "young@heart 's worst enemy is its director , stephen walker , whose incessant pushing and prodding strives to manipulate in ways both needless and trite .", "anybody who thinks the rolling stones are old should check out the charming documentary young@heart , which features a group of rock performers whose average age is around 80 .", "sure to be a hit not just with the aarp crowd , we 'll surely see a lot of the film 's ready-to-be excerpted videos .", "the film 's appeal is at once sentimental and perverse : it 's not every day that you get to see a 92-year-old woman soloing on ` should i stay or should i go . '", "though the group members are hilarious and their stories effortlessly touching , the clumsy filmmaking and manipulative editing muddle what should have been a simple human story .", "how can we be uplifted by a james brown classic when the singer in fact does n't feel good but actually has a painful-looking spine condition ?", "what makes young @ heart work well is the way director-narrator stephen walker focuses on how great music transcends age and generational shifts .", "moments of high comedy and deep tragedy make this more than the average rehearsal and concert film .", "sure , these ` zesty ' , ` lively ' old folks are enjoying themselves . the question is why on earth we should be expected to watch .", "a lovely little film .", "that might be because the film has already been shown on the bbc - a fact that , along with the unprepossessing production values , rather begs the question of why bother with a cinematic release at all ?", "if this film were any more heartwarming , your chest would melt .", "judicious trimming would have improved the movie , but johnny cash-voiced fred knittle 's opening night rendition of coldplay 's `` fix you '' , dedicated to the recently departed members , is guaranteed to leave not a dry eye in the house .", "they more than justify a film which , despite its faults , makes the winter of life less terrifying than it 's made out to be .", "a worse film might be dismissed as sobsploitation . but stephen walker 's documentary - a labour of love inspired by walker 's first sight of the group in a london west end show - touches the mind as well as the heart .", "it will make you feel wonderful , and if you 're like me , whose emotional barometer responds in the positive with tears , take plenty of tissues .", "heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure , young at heart is a good antidote for cynicism .", "the result is a feel good documentary that has us laughing and crying with our new friends .", "... such a hilarious , moving and uplifting piece of work the only thing left to do after seeing it is to start campaigning the academy of motion picture arts and sciences 's documentary arm to change their rules ...", "we get to know these folks , their love for life and performing -- and yes , we even start to see them as more than a mere novelty act .", "the best film i 've seen so far this year and easily one of my favorite documentaries ever .", "this charming offbeat docu about a chorus of young-spirited senior citizens is not a great film but it 's touching and poignant , contesting cultural stereotypes about old age , love , and creativity ; worth seeing , preferably with old members of your clan .", "a choir full of -lrb- very -rrb- old people get down with the rock music . sweet , funny , touching stuff .", "this entertaining and often moving documentary should help even the youngest of viewer get in touch with their own mortality and make it clear that life does n't have to end at 60 .", "an irresistibly joyous , tearful and , most importantly , musical doc about a band of senior pop singers .", "nothing prepared me for the unexpected resonance of this life-affirming , death-defying group portrait . their advanced years have the effect of rejuvenating the lyrics and meaning of every number .", "charming , exuberant and poignant documentary ... you 'll probabvly come out of it with a spring in your step .", "-lsb- director -rsb- walker has found a delicate , thoughtful , respectful , witty way to convey both the dignity of the individual men and women singing , as well as the ineffable power of determining to live fully until there 's no breath left .", "full of passion and honesty -- two emotions that are rarely found in life , let alone cinema", "it shows that no one has more reason to stick it to the man with rock music than people who are most defiantly not going gently into that good night .", "at the base of its premise as a documentary , young@heart seems like a ca n't - miss proposition . but what really emerges is an essence and poignancy that goes beyond the black and white of just singing the rock songs .", "it sounds dubious and cutesy , but within minutes it reveals itself as the real thing and doubt gives way to unbridled enthusiasm .", "documentarian stephen walker 's brisk , ironic style of narration and frank inclusion of himself in the observations contribute mightily to the enterprise , which is also aided by his honesty .", "i love this film !", "here is revealed the true and unimpeachable gift of age and it is not just a revelation in this context , it is also way cool .", "despite the director , the film is damned wonderful", "you wo n't believe the world of young@heart , but you 'll have a hard time resisting it .", "the young@heart chorus has all the characters -- and character -- that any documentarian could ask for .", "not only is it enjoyable , young@heart is a heartening and poignant affirmation of the transformative power of music .", "young @ heart would have been a wonderful newspaper feature . unfortunately , it 's a nonfiction film -- and merely a middling one .", "one of the most delightful movies to come along this year .", "music can move you , no matter what style , no matter who performs . that 's the most poignant lesson of young@heart .", "makes you want to go out and join a chorus -- whatever your age may be .", "the ` are n't these geezers adorable ? ' approach ends up diminishing his subjects rather than honoring them .", "it 's certainly a film that 's cruel to disagree with , but for all the goodwill and positivity it brings , there 's a hollow , gimmicky quality left behind that does n't sit well when the picture starts to take matters seriously .", "what makes young@heart such an ingratiating experience goes far deeper than the novelty of seeing old people singing hard rock tunes .", "in many ways , this serious side of young@heart is what ultimately makes the film memorable .", "no beautiful people here , just a beautiful story .", "an undeniably sweet mix of disarming honesty , inspired gumption and brutal reality , young@heart somehow manages to avoid the maudlin while enhancing the obvious with its portrait of a chorus of senior citizens who sing contemporary rock songs .", "inspirational , funny , sad and very satisfying .", "a chorus -lrb- average age 80 -rrb- prepares for a springtime tour , putting their signature spin on classics -- classics like the clash 's `` should i stay or should i go . ''", "the members of the young at heart chorus might not offer the serpentine strutting or bacchanalian back story of the rolling stones , but their vivacity , dedication and courage would give any rock idol pause .", "while there is a significant cute factor built into that conceit , the strength of young @ heart is it takes the music seriously .", "the group is a testament to the healing capabilities of music . the choir itself deserves four stars ; if the film had delivered the same grit and poignancy , it would have too .", "the project reeks of commercial calculation , which is just tolerable until walker , in search of a story arc , follows two chorus members with serious illnesses into the hospital .", "a film that proves that age is only a state of mind , stardom is only a social security check away and wine and cheese are n't the only things that get better with time .", "young@heart eschews the clich\u00e9s about old people for something that we can all relate to : our own mortality .", "funny and achingly sad .", "truth is , any heart that 's open can connect with this vital , amusing , good rocking and very inspiring story .", "in young@heart , the prison is old age , and every song 's a jailbreak .", "the doc may indeed be too cute for some , but walker knows when to step back and let life , with all its harshness and disappointments , into the picture .", "it 's an emotional tapestry , sure to both delight audiences and move them to tears .", "one of the most remarkable scenes you will ever see in a documentary is the chorus of elderly men and women -- average age of 80 -- singing bob dylan 's ` forever young ' before convicts in a massachusetts penitentiary .", "the film 's emotional peak comes at the end when the chorus performs for prison inmates who must be , on average , well under half the age of the singers . it 's a liberating experience , for both sides .", "despite the flaws of the filmmaking , the characters who populate the young@heart chorus shine through , inspiring young and old alike .", "develops into a poignant reflection on community , mortality and how we all need to stop and smell the roses . recommended .", "it 's a pity that director stephen walker , who also narrates , imposes so much of himself on the material , asking at times the most insensitive questions .", "as an interviewer walker is habitually condescending and sometimes downright inane ...", "funny , touching and life-affirming .", "this film shows the triumph of the human spirit and the strength of will .", "ya got ta love these guys ! how could you not love these guys ?", "if it ... verges on being just slightly patronising at times , that 's a quarrel with the filmmakers , not its participants .", "despite the director 's smarmy narration and interviews , the bemused equanimity of these folks who 've seen it all could inspire each of us to what `` we can can '' do as we age .", "the devil may have all the best tunes , but it 's the elderly who nail them . charming , heartwarming and totally kick-ass , you 'll never look at your grandparents in the same way .", "the wonderful members of the choir , truly young at heart , overcome the occasional clumsiness of the filmmaker and you come away from this film feeling genuinely uplifted .", "the soothing , all encompassing power of music and song - its ability to unify , offer pleasure , fulfill the artistic bent , communicate , and much more - is vividly demonstrated in the documentary young@heart .", "-lsb- y -rsb- ou can not come away from this charming and inspiring documentary ... and not vow to never , ever give up on life , or on anything you really want to do , no matter what great age you manage to achieve .", "it works as both a concert film and as a case study in people who literally live for music .", "the chorus members in young@heart do n't trash hotel rooms or bed groupies . but they also are n't going gently into that good night .", "it 's like the 50-year reunion of high school musical .", "evolves into an unforgettably inspirational film filled with joy and disarming honesty .", "if you 're looking to see a documentary this season about old people singing , the rolling stones ' `` shine a light '' is not your only option .", "a rare feelgood film that actually made me feel good .", "a more genuinely sweet and uplifting documentary i have not seen in quite a while .", "whether you know it yet or not , this will be one of your favorite movies of the year .", "an uplifting account of elderly people we should all emulate !", "their `` specialness '' is the hook by which the film extols their representativeness .", "young@heart is a classic . may we all live to be so youthful in spirit and soul .", "its subjects are so compelling that young @ heart becomes a blisteringly funny and deeply moving meditation on music and mortality .", "young@heart is nothing less than an ode to joy .", "`` young@heart '' plays like a 100-minute version of one of those `` on the lighter side '' news feature segments that end a local newscast .", "a tribute to this nation 's elderly , an ode to the power of the arts , and a salute to david bowie , bruce springsteen , jimi hendrix and the other musicians whose songs have found new rhyme and reason thanks to these geriatric rockers .", "the group 's enthusiasm , natural talent and undeniable chutzpah effort-lessly translates to the screen in stephen walker 's winning new documentary .", "... joyous and brimming with life ...", "there 's something really enjoyable about seeing a group of 70-something , 80-something and 90-something amateurs performing with the energy of people who are half -- or even a quarter -- of their age ." ], "summary": "full of endearing characters , this doc about a choir of `` seniors behaving badly '' is uplifting and delightful .", "id": "770681101" }, { "movie": "from_up_on_poppy_hill", "reviews": [ "the film maintains an optimistic tone without succumbing to nostalgia , and as always with studio ghibli , the company miyazaki cofounded in the 80s , the hand-drawn animation is gorgeous .", "the film has charm but overall is a little slight .", "inspiring , romantic coming-of-age tale about '60s teens .", "it 's a gem of classical 2d imagery that stands out in a world turned upside down by the digital revolution .", "the jury 's still out on whether goro miyazaki can sustain his father 's legacy as storyteller , though with its beautiful visuals and songs , poppy hill finds a deserving , if modest , place among its studio ghibli peers .", "those gorgeous , hand-drawn images bring lightness and grace to a story that might seem drab and pedestrian in the real world .", "soft , warm animation and resonant reflections on death , moving on and growing up ca n't fully overcome slighter plot points and erratic music choices .", "the artistry is peaceful and comforting to the eyes but not especially stirring . given the pictorial extremes that studio ghibli has gone to in the past , `` up on poppy hill '' is weak tea .", "`` MOV '' is frankly stunning , as beautiful a hand-drawn animated feature as you are likely to see .", "the charming and nostalgic `` MOV '' is as lushly illustrated and vividly realized as memory itself .", "a sweet but rather bland coming-of-age story .", "a departure for studio ghibli - an emotionally nuanced , nostalgic look at the past that is grounded in everyday reality but retains the humor and delight that are part of the studio 's trademark .", "there 's definitely enough here to provide a quick fix for older studio ghibli fans , though children will probably be bored .", "ghibli 's latest is its most local and historical , like a gorgeous-looking manuscript plucked from a town 's archives . a school-film about personal space and preserving place in a japan on the cusp of a new era . but it 'll lack spark for any non-ghibli fan .", "the film refuses to apologize for honor , decency , politeness and modesty ; it celebrates stoicism , not self-indulgence ; it assumes that these finer qualities are the norm , not the exception .", "from the studio that brought us classics like spirited away and howl 's moving castle , this animated drama feels unusually low-key and realistic .", "goro 's expressive artistry is fleet , fluent and tenderly affecting . with a worthy story , he might breathe the old man 's rarefied air yet .", "the sincerity and sentiment of this film are there to be basked in . yet audiences outside japan may find the subject too serious and yet too slight ; there 's a reason why films about potential incest are n't often as cute as this .", "not on a par with ghibli 's greatest work like totoro or spirited away but not without charms of its own . a solid second effort from miyazaki junior .", "winsome , winning entry from studio ghibli , with a nostalgia-suffused , unstressed ambiance that packs a potent if subtle appeal .", "it 's the sort of movie that can prompt daydreams about inhabiting its world of flowers and hills , passing ships and harbor lights , where there 's no internet and romance happens face to face .", "not the most enthralling studio ghibli animated feature , but the restrained story of a boy , a girl , and their beloved high school campus , circa 1963 in yokohama , nevertheless creeps up on us emotionally in the best ghibli fashion .", "is there a japanese word that combines `` pretty , '' `` demure '' and `` boring '' ?", "this is a gentle film , hand-drawn with irresistible colors , that exudes nostalgia in a lovely way .", "although simpler and less mysterious than the great hayao miyazaki movies , the gently melancholic MOV is still a must see at a time when family entertainment is too often synonymous with blandness .", "-lsb- a -rsb- study of how the tolls of war reverberate through generations .", "poppy hill is more a short story than a feature , almost unbelievably optimistic , but it offers a surprising , innocent window on an era usually associated with nuclear anxieties , cultural neuroses , and juvenile delinquents .", "it 's a minor work . there 's no argument around that . still , it 's got a good heart , and likable characters .", "as in so many studio ghibli films , the tension is between renovation and cherishing of tradition.the movie is staged during a beautifully chosen moment of transition-the months right before the tokyo olympiad .", "like his old man , the younger miyazaki favors limited character animation and luscious water colors . unfortunately , he lacks his father 's storytelling skills .", "rest assured , the younger miyazaki has clearly earned his stars , as poppy hill offers just the same intimate , ultimately life-affirming kind of storytelling we 've come to expect from the family name .", "it 's a lively , touching story , full of sadness and optimism , drawn with an unaffected simplicity .", "even with no wood sprites , witches or spells , there 's plenty of magic in this coming-of-age charmer .", "the magic is found in the everyday details of domestic life .", "it 's really hard to go wrong with a studio ghibli film , and MOV is no exception . it may not be their very best work , but it 's still good work , full of charm and fun .", "a lovely japanese hand-drawn animated film with a female heroine .", "MOV may be able to boast about its outstanding music and smooth animation , but it 's far too flat to leave much of an impression .", "the story will undoubtedly appear slow moving and uneventful to those used to the pizzazz of pixar , but allow the richly detailed hand-drawn animation to work its charms and the film 's mood of gentle nostalgia proves surprisingly moving .", "there are no real villains in this story . all the people are basically good and they try to do the right thing . the artwork is beautiful and the film also has considerable emotional power .", "if this ghibli creation is smaller in scale than many of the company 's films , it certainly does n't lack for heart or soul . i was swept away in it .", "a rather mediocre film ... and yet , even with all of its faults , i still find myself oddly swept up in its familial drama .", "some third-act revelations may really test the scales of plausibility , but poppy hill ultimately is not about its story as much as the emotional states it probes .", "MOV is at once old-fashioned and innovative , an exquisite evocation of yokohama in 1963 that dares to treat teenagers with both gravity and grace .", "although they 've dabbled in earthbound matters before , studio ghibli serves up a refreshing reminder of their singular animation gifts , offering a spare but endearing effort that 's absolutely enchanting .", "a gently lyrical diversion for ghibli die-hards ... a gentle snooze for others .", "goro miyazaki has made a sweetly old-fashioned anime with fine painterly compositions .", "the animation is pretty and clean , reminiscent of other studio ghibli films like `` whisper of the heart , '' but never achieves wondrous artistry .", "the film 's perfectly fine , but it 's not a patch on `` spirited away , '' `` my neighbor totoro , '' `` princess mononoke , '' and other studio ghibli classics .", "shows a different side of the japanese animation house , one that finds equal wonder in comparatively mundane affairs .", "miyazaki , yes , but goro and not hayao", "gorgeously animated , with rich color scapes and detailed mise-en-sc\u010dne , goro miyazaki 's sophomore outing incorporates lovely , introspective imagery of , say , a cloud passing in front of the moon or smokestacks shot at a steep angle .", "MOV , studio ghibli 's latest , is decidedly earthbound in comparison to those transportive earlier films , though it 's not without its charms .", "`` poppy hill '' proves to be more than just a visual feast . its seemingly slight storyline has a warm emotional resonance , tapping into both the uncertainty of a japan caught between past and future .", "what limits MOV is its seeming whitewashing of some tough subjects , including the unseen consequences of war and the role of women in post-war japan .", "goro miyazaki has a style that 's both more painterly and more cinematic than the cartoonish norm , while his father 's screenplay is a classic coming-of-age story that seems suited for a live-action remake .", "a wonderfully gorgeous and nostalgic film whose story does n't live up to its look .", "in the wisdom of this artfully rendered film , umi and shun - and the viewer - come to learn that the past and the future should go hand in hand , that the best way to move forward is to reflect , and respect , what came before .", "it 's strange to see so much focus on the details of the backgrounds , which are exquisitely rendered , when there is so little attention to the expressiveness of the characters .", "the story of a girl grappling with first love , the absence of her parents and the anxieties of an on-rushing future in 1963 yokohama has all the earmarks of a miyazaki classic .", "it ... arrives with the vast reserves of patience , optimism and artistry we 've come to expect from this studio .", "beautifully precise architectural sketches , endearingly warm nostalgia , gentle teen romance and genuine intrigue .", "MOV finds goro miyazaki sitting much more comfortably in the director 's chair , but fans of studio ghibli 's fantasy epics may find this fanciful delight to be lacking the familiar magic .", "an interesting way of tackling everything from understanding parentage to the atomic bomb which devastated nagasaki .", "joyously warm and gentle ... though perhaps too gentle to be entirely satisfying .", "you do n't watch a studio ghibli film so much as sink into it like a hot spring , with groans of delight .", "not up there with the ghibli masterworks of yore , but still a bounty of ideas and emotions .", "the incest-scare subplot never trips up the movie 's charm . and there 's a haunting reverberance , very hayao miyazaki , to the war memories that empower the parental back-stories .", "your kids may well fall in love with it , if you help them find it .", "the film shows the younger miyazaki going off in a new , slightly older-skewing direction while still firmly working in the gentle hand-drawn style with which the old man has been dazzling filmgoers for decades .", "the gorgeous score and subtle visual craft save this entry in the ghibli canon from mediocrity . but given what the studio is capable of , it 's not everything fans will be hoping for .", "MOV 's protagonists emerge as unexpectedly facetless , especially from a studio with such a vibrant and morally complex back catalogue .", "lovely , sentimental , but a conventional nostalgic melodrama that had no compelling reason to be filmed as anime", "the story arc is somewhat facile , and its lesson about preserving history instead of demolishing it to make way for new , shiny things is too obvious .", "sunny days , blue skies , and rippling blue waters lined with greenery ... plain nice , and there 's nothing wrong with that .", "both genuinely emotional and blithely engaging .", "while this story might 've been just as engaging in live action , miyazaki 's animation does clear away the extraneous detail , re-creating the world of 50 years ago and instilling it with the poignancy of a family snapshot .", "a film about many things-so many that the magic of studio ghibli 's past has been displaced by exposition and earnest discussion .", "based on the jolly , jazzy score that keeps MOV lively , the latest from studio ghibli appears to have missed its calling as a broadway musical .", "the screenplay deftly balances the characters ' intimate concerns with the nation 's historic growing pains , resulting in a story that 's as engrossing as the visuals are breathtaking .", "a full awareness that it 's kind of a cheap melodrama -lrb- one of the characters even says so -rrb- does n't change the fact that it is but the young miyazaki 's visual palette is notably beautiful and the voice work is strong throughout .", "its visual magic lies in painterly compositions of foliage , clouds , architecture and water , and its emotional impact comes from the way everyday life is washed in the colors of memory .", "likely to appeal to young audiences - especially teenagers - and possibly even to jaded adults , who may look back on their own first yearnings of puppy love with nostalgia and affection .", "with its modest story and lack of cute magical furballs , MOV is a tad too uneventful and prosaic to match the best of studio ghibli but it 's lovely all the same .", "the studio 's stunning textures and vibrant details still give poppy hill that ethereal quality sure to mollify nostalgic ghibli fans , but its strengths are fastidiously undone by a predictable and underwhelming plot ." ], "summary": "gentle and nostalgic , MOV is one of studio ghibli 's sweeter efforts -- and if it does n't push the boundaries of the genre , it remains as engagingly lovely as ghibli fans have come to expect .", "id": "771253145" }, { "movie": "case_39", "reviews": [ "ferland 's fine performance aside , MOV is bafflingly stupid and poorly executed sub-horror fodder .", "an aggressively inept demon-seed chiller starring a bunch of grown-ups who should 've known better .", "pandorum director alvart summons some scares here : ferland is persuasively weird and hornets are utilised to skin-crawling effect . most of his ideas are second-hand , though .", "miscast , poorly-directed , and just-plain boring , MOV never clicks into place .", "it 's as lame as can be , and despite sitting on the shelf for four years , it 's not even bad enough to be unintentionally funny .", "if i 'm to understand the movie as it is presented , demons do not enjoy passive aggression , it only enrages them further , and to avoid a demon , it 's best if you 're neither a nice nor smart person , because then the demon has nothing to work with .", "on the strength of MOV , zellweger could easily play den mother to a brood of hillbilly psychos in a film by rob zombie . that would be horror worthy of the name .", "this is one of the least scary , dumbest movies i 've seen in a long time .", "... the scares go top-notch thanks to a creepy performance by young jodelle ferland .", "MOV is basically a poor man 's orphan - which was n't that good anyway .", "this ramshackle movie features a preposterous plot , dodgy direction and clunky editing , and yet it 's great fun to watch the actors squirm with fear .", "quite scary at times , intriguing ideas and a good cast , including ian mcshane and adrian lester , are used badly .", "daft , throwaway tosh that does n't even qualify as a guilty pleasure .", "it is universally terrible in virtually every department , save for the creepy charisma displayed by young ferland .", "this is a nasty and morally repulsive film .", "MOV is slow , painful and one suspects for both cooper and renee zellweger full of regrets .", "one of those movies that 's bad enough to make it worth seeing .", "this overly familiar , wholly unoriginal would-be psychological thriller provokes few reactions outside of boredom and -- in , sadly , too few moments -- derisive laughter .", "the devil made them do it , but that does n't mean you have to see it .", "this supernaturally tinged tale only goes skin-deep and is proud of it , wasting little time in establishing narrative basics and getting to the good stuff .", "not as bad as i was expecting .", "by the time the killings start , it 's clear that ray wright 's screenplay is more interested in following formula than in breaking new ground .", "from a bevy of cheesy jolt scares -lrb- alarm clock ! barking dog ! -rrb- to the embarrassing sight of zellweger and ian mcshane treating this orphan-style b-movie silliness with grave seriousness , the film proves to be one hokey-horror riot .", "about as scary as a shadow puppet , MOV is more fun as a modern procreation parable , and a total kick as ren\u00e9e zellweger 's attempt to enter jodie foster territory .", "o que houve com ren\u00e9e zellweger ?", "the only redeeming feature of this clunky demonic horror film is the assured turn from professional scary child ferland .", "MOV has been forlornly gathering cobwebs in the proverbial filing cabinet for over a year . understandably so - it 's terrible . we 'd be embarrassed too .", "it would have been better for all concerned if this ` case ' had remained closed .", "takes a potent subtext about the terrors of unprepared parenthood and wastes it in a rote creepy kid flick that displays both iffy internal logic and a trifling execution", "if you liked last year 's orphan , then MOV has your name written all over it - it 's not quite as slick or as scary as orphan but it 's enjoyably over-the-top and delivers the requisite trashy thrills .", "directed by christian alvart -lrb- pandorum -rrb- with a less than giddy hand , MOV is truly terrible . but at least it scores a few ` so bad it 's good ' points .", "a deftly made horror thriller with plenty of scares , MOV may be predictable and somewhat heavy handed , but it ticks all the boxes for the genre .", "while the viewer will remain one step ahead of the story at all times , director christian alvart manages to keep the emotionally charged events moving at a fair clip to gloss over the mounting credibility factors .", "manages to be both very silly and highly forgettable . only for those who collect killer-children films .", "hilariously inept , absent even a drop of everyday logic , and mistakes rowdy thespian reaction for suspense ... ca n't seem to make any sense of itself , to a point where the whole endeavor just gives up .", "`` MOV '' is n't quite as good as `` orphan , '' but it 's plenty creepy for a run-of-the-mill suspense film . zellweger , cooper , and mcshane more than pull their weight to make the movie enjoyable .", "this ludicrous outing from helmer christian alvart and scribe ray wright takes its psycho-satanic babble much too seriously , and should elicit more laughs than frights .", "this is horror hokum of the cheesiest kind . rent ` orphan ' instead .", "director alvart knows how to shoot chilly and unwelcoming , bleaching his movie with a grey-blue finish .", "strictly by-the-numbers supernatural horror ... that does n't solely rely on its taboo subject matter for all the shocks , boasting moments of genuine suspense .", "i 'm sure it will do decent business among the undemanding weekend-horror crowd and zellweger fans when it eventually sees the light of day . nobody else need apply .", "stale reheat of the creepy kid genre . no point investigating . case closed .", "only the procession of unintentional laughs and an unflinchingly confident turn by youngster jodelle ferland as lilith emerge as reasons not to bury your head in a bucket of popcorn and rue the regrettable moment a certain vault was unlocked .", "shlocky and ridiculous it may be , but this horror-thriller really is gleefully gruesome and undeniably entertaining : smart work from german director christian alvert .", "directed by christian -lrb- pandorum -rrb- alvart with a crazy bevy of random overhead shots , it wins 2010 's first genuine place in the so-bad-it 's - good honours list .", "as far as major studio supernatural thrillers are concerned , this one is pretty darn good , a well-crafted , aesthetically artful suspenser .", "paramount has little faith in this supernatural fright film ... and with good reason", "unremarkable except for its subversive subtext .", "MOV is too bland , with scares that are so polite they almost take their shoes off to avoid dirtying the hallway carpet of your mind .", "it 's all been done before , of course , and MOV is let down by too many of those jolting boo ! moments , ropey special effects - check out a badly-animated hornet attack - plus a plot even casual horror fans can predict .", "with some parents hurting their kids in real life because they believe they are possessed , the whole tone of this absurd movie is inappropriate .", "it does n't help that zellweger has become so hard to like , horribly smug and pious when things are going right , abjectly hysterical when she sees the error of her ways .", "-lsb- plays -rsb- like one more piece of multiplex in-box clutter , ready for the circular file in our moviegoing consciousness .", "just how old is this picture ? let 's just say that when filming began , david o. selznick was still combing the country for the perfect scarlett o'hara .", "that pounding you hear is the sound of nails going into renee zellwegger 's career coffin", "what do you do with a crummy horror movie that has been sitting on the shelf for a couple , or maybe three , years ?", "... before the movie is half over , the usual cliches take over ...", "its time to put the nail in the otherworldly evil child genre until someone comes up with something original . the only thing supernatural about MOV is its ungodly presence on this planet .", "what do you do with a crummy horror movie that has been sitting on the shelf for a couple , or maybe three , years ?", "as demonic children movies go , it?s really not bad -- and the acting makes it seem a little better than that .", "neither so awful as to be enjoyable nor eerily artful enough to be anything other than a snoozy also-ran .", "what starts out as slight and fairly obvious turns into a frequently colorful horror tale .", "... we get a couple of moments of genuine suspense combined with a whole lot of cheap thrills .", "it 's a bummer when the audience is smarter than the protagonist .", "a mess of a horror movie that spent several years sitting on a shelf and should have remained there .", "in the meantime , director christian alvart went on to make the effectively moody `` pandorum , '' but this movie is a dud .", "the end of zellweger as we 've known her .", "while it 's able to pull you in at some points with its eerie mood , it needed a lot more originality and better scares than the cheap kind of just having things pop up out of nowhere .", "a soulless amalgamation of several horror classics , and marks another dud in the career of renee zellweger .", "despite its initial premise showing promise , MOV turns out to be boring , predictable and nothing new .", "about as fun as watching paint dry and as tense as a game of bingo ...", "not only is MOV deplorable and morally off-center , the film is dull to boot .", "-lsb- a -rsb- dumb thriller .", "... a decent little horror flick ..." ], "summary": "director christian alvert has a certain stylish flair , but it 's wasted on MOV 's frightless , unoriginal plot .", "id": "770680570" }, { "movie": "bridge_to_terabithia", "reviews": [ "MOV is the most moving , intelligent drama with children for a decade .", "a movie that shows kids the value of imagination and gets them talking with their parents is good , even if it 's tough .", "an understated , touching and largely faithful version of katherine paterson 's pre-teen novel .", "i ended up being slightly disappointed by it .", "MOV is a brave film but a disturbing one , and even though it is inspired by real-life events , it feels like a cheat .", "thanks to its subtle touches and strong character development , MOV is not only entertaining for the family but for anyone who wants to leave reality behind for a little while .", "MOV 's scope is surprisingly broad for a family film : it deals with identity , family , the nature of courage , the difficulty of being an outsider and even god . but its main thrust is friendship .", "the characters , especially those of the two ten-year-old protagonists , ring true and when , just past the midway point , tragedy strikes it 's quite devastating .", "this screen adaptation of katherine paterson 's now-classic novel for young readers tells its story with agreeable simplicity in between computer-generated monsters .", "MOV is not only faithful to the novel but also stands to become a beloved family movie .", "the kids are good ; the effects are appalling .", "narnia fans might find some enjoyment in this children 's fantasy adventure .", "it 's shamelessly manipulative , but also deeply moving .", "an engaging portrait of childhood , this well-meaning family film rises above its flaws , and delivers a surprisingly hefty emotional punch .", "the invented world is stolid , the logic of its relationship with reality muddled ; but what really kills the film is the way it wears its uplift on its sleeve .", "worth a look .", "probably the best family film you 'll see all year .", "smart , sprightly and sensitive , this is like a junior-edition heavenly creatures , complete with ace chemistry and tragic twist .", "a thoroughly pleasing family film with fine performances and honest , affecting real situations mixed with joyful adventure .", "an affecting inquest into the nature of courage , mortality , grief and the healing power of faith .", "far from a computer generated escapist fantasy , this film is an unpretentious and touching tale of preteen companionship and loss .", "this is easily the best family feature of the early year .", "effortless performances from the two young stars ultimately make this movie worthwhile , regardless of the age of the kids watching .", "while a mostly sturdy adaptation of a much-loved book , it is n't quite as secure a structure as it might have been .", "the imaginary world dreamed up by two youngsters in katherine paterson 's coming-of-age classic has been realized imperfectly , but with intelligence and sensitivity nonetheless , in MOV .", "a tenderly executed adventure-fantasy .", "a good story , filled with positive and realistic messages , it is a fine family film that deserves a wide audience . take your kids to it . you 'll all enjoy it .", "a sensitive and moving teen drama about dealing with bullying , loneliness and grief .", "despite an odd choice to inject computer animated wonder , MOV is ... a loving tribute to the best and the worst moments of adolescence ...", "it 's not often that a kiddie-flick will elicit genuine emotion in the audience", "you ca n't tell a book by its cover , and you ca n't tell a movie by its trailer .", "this is a film that is by turns wonderful and heart-breaking . do not expect a big special-effects fantasy . fantasy and its power is just one theme among several well-presented themes .", "MOV is a beautifully written and acted film with a big heart , but also with the uncompromising reality of death . it is impossible not to be charmed and moved by this film .", "it has crossover as more than kids ' fare because it 's smart about childhood .", "understands that a kids movie that 's `` for adults too '' means `` mature , complex themes , '' not `` fart jokes and sexual innuendo . ''", "it 's for bright , inquisitive children -lrb- and attendant adults -rrb- who subscribe to the theory that imagination is one of the most wonderful tools available .", "a ` family ' film that is more convincing , honest and intense than most ` adult ' movies .", "... follows two young friends who create a fantasy world in a forest as a way to escape from the bullies of real life , and it 's mostly a joy to be able to escape with them .", "a top-drawer screen adaptation of a newbery award-winning novel about two children who become friends and use their imaginations to transform their everyday world .", "the third act goes necessarily dark , maybe a little too much so for the youngest of viewers , but the sense of loss that it conveys ensures that terabithia is that much more compelling .", "the trailers make it look like a third-rate narnia knockoff , but there are no talking lions , magic kingdoms , or mystical prophecies in this movie .", "while the filmmakers have beefed up fantasy elements from the book , this is a very human story .", "honors the pesky hormones , the inevitable bullies and the sweet and scary reality that comes with being a pre-teen .", "moving and well acted , the film is a throwback to the days , back in the '60s , when disney -lrb- one of the film 's producers -rrb- made ambitious live-action family films .", "-lsb- uses -rsb- talented kid and adult actors and a remarkable attention to detail to perfectly capture the delicate , minute rites of passage that define growing up .", "in MOV , the two middle schoolers who stumble onto a whole new world do n't seem all that wowed . and the movie ... never decides if it 's a fantasy or coming-of-age story .", "it 's an appropriate thing this film is about the strength of imagination because you 'll be needing yours if you plan on surviving until the final credits", "-lsb- director gabor -rsb- csupo does n't condescend to his audience ; the complications of grade-school life are extremely serious business to the people experiencing them .", "-lsb- director csupo -rsb- succeeds in keeping his main characters well-rooted in their daily lives , and his restraint in creating terabithia is commendable . with no gratuitous rainbows , elves or unicorns , it somehow is believable .", "this is a horrible little movie , stupid and clunky and obnoxious through and through .", "while it 's admirable that MOV is n't sugar-coated , more often than not it plays as miserabilism for kids .", "it 's rendered in a very touching and authentic and beautiful way .", "it redeems itself by being good-natured and sincere , and by touching the viewer 's heart without manhandling it .", "as much as anything , bridge is about how powerfully friendship can transform children .", "the visual effects in ` MOV ' are underwhelming and prevent a magical cinematic experience .", "haphazardly adapted from katherine paterson 's popular 1977 coming-of-age children 's book , `` MOV '' is a problematic movie held together by its charming child actors .", "a gem of a movie that is coming out at a time when we are usually saddled with hollywood 's dregs .", "extraordinarily close to the book by katherine paterson in many ways , the film may even surpass it by showing how a shocking instance of grief can draw a family together .", "there are trolls and magical creatures , but they are the parsley on the plate . the film is a real human story about love and imagination and loss , infinitely superior to most of hollywood 's machine-stamped fantasies for children .", "the most heartwarming , enchanting family film since stand by me , october sky and e.t. : the extra-terrestrial . it 's the first ` must-see ' movie of 2007 .", "MOV is a film most children should see , but it 's so dully aestheticized they may not care to .", "one of the most grounded , realistic kid films to come along in a while . it 's comical , cute and adventurous , but it also shares true-to-life emotional issues that many preteens face .", "in a story that supposedly sings the praises of the power of imagination , you 'd think csupo and his writers could dream up a better ending than the downbeat one that paterson so tactlessly tacks on", "the beloved children 's book has not just survived but thrived in its adaptation to the screen , its delicate combination of coming-of-age angst , tragedy and fantasy handled with assurance and taste by first-time live-action director gabor csupo .", "enchanting , transcendent and profoundly moving , MOV is a masterpiece .", "elaborately mounted , expensively produced and filmed with style and empathy , it 's an adaptation of paterson 's newbery medal-winning book that manages to expand the original vision , yet preserve much of its intense emotion .", "emotional but not mushy , smart but not precocious , MOV is based on the idea that children feel things just as deeply -- and , often , have ideas just as interesting -- as adults .", "this is csupo 's feature directorial debut , but as creator , producer , and writer of rugrats and the wild thornberrys , among several other series , he 's had a long career in animation , and he handles the cgi setpieces masterfully .", "most pleasantly , the movie does n't overdo its special effects . weta digital bring jess and leslie 's imaginations to life slowly and in to-scale fashion .", "MOV is much less than it 's being advertised as , which makes it much more of a good thing .", "MOV is a real anachronism in today 's family-movie landscape , if for no other reason than it simply and accurately portrays the interior life of adolescents .", "csupo ushers in an exciting and emotional action-adventure product that enchants and motivates the active imagination ... terabithia radiates with engaging enthusiasm .", "as humane a hollywood film as we 're likely to see all year .", "it will break your heart , mend it , and then make it cheer .", "what a wonderful , sorrowful film .", "the beauty of MOV was always about the friendship , and that aspect remains the focal point of the film as well .", "one of the best family films in years .", "oh , devastating , devastating and lovely and bittersweet and entirely wonderful , this enchantingly old-fashioned movie ...", "sometimes feels like a rudderless movie meandering along without a plot , but you can enjoy the ride , and feel the emotional wallop waiting for you at the end .", "like the original novel , MOV does not shy away from tackling heavy issues and by doing so treats it young target audience with the integrity that they deserve .", "stays true to paterson 's subdued , melancholy coming-of-age masterwork .", "visually , the terabithian world is impressively wrought and holds some surprises . under director gabor csupo , the technical side never overshadows the live action or the character-driven story .", "strangely the part of the film that takes place in the real world in more interesting than the segment in the imaginary .", "you take your kids to night at the museum or charlotte 's web , and you 've employed a temporary babysitter . roll them over to MOV and you 'll feed their minds with a rich tapestry of emotional investment .", "cheap and ordinary . this is n't art , it 's product .", "a wonderfully heart-wrenching love story for tweens , teens , and even adults who fondly remember when a friendship could be ignited by a gesture as simple as offering a stick of juicy fruit .", "one problem with terabithia is that the director , gabor csupo , puts too much stock in the abilities of computer graphics to make things real .", "a family film that recognizes that there are some interesting , intelligent fifth graders out there who are n't obsessed with fart jokes or potty humor .", "the story is a pleasant enough diversion with a positive message about seeing the troubled person behind the bully and the importance of keeping an open mind .", "-lsb- actors -rsb- robb and hutcherson are the keys to the film 's success : she has a refreshingly offbeat charm , and he smoothly handles emotional material that would be too daunting to many more experienced actors .", "for all that MOV does to encourage children to exercise their imaginations and pursue the arts , the movie 's producers give only glimpses of the wonderful creatures and magical kingdom dreamed up by two children .", "there 's a lot to recommend bridge for a young crowd . hutcherson and robb have excellent chemistry , jesse 's palpable hunger for his father 's approval is quietly poignant , and a third-act tragedy deepens and sweetens everything .", "MOV is no wizard of oz . it 's more like pan 's labyrinth lite -- and there 's nothing wrong with that .", "despite its small scale , bridge offers a lot of things you wo n't see in most children 's movies , including honest dialogue , actions that have consequences and some truly moving moments .", "the adroitly calibrated life lessons include a chill gulp of death , and terabithia proves to be soulful , even healing . what most delivers is the efficiently just-right cast , the charmed bonding of kid stars robb and hutcherson .", "refreshingly , MOV finds most of its strength in its very human , live-action sequences , and less so in its limited special-effects fantasies .", "any film celebrating the power of imagination is always welcome . due to its rather pedestrian execution , however , the MOV ultimately comes up short .", "pleasing magical coming-of-age kidpic .", "una pel\u00edcula entretenida y emotiva sobre la idea de la p\u00e9rdida , el dolor , la culpa , y sobre todo de la imaginaci\u00f3n como v\u00e1lvula de escape . no es el t\u00edpico pasatiempo inocente que promete ; es mucho m\u00e1s interesante que eso .", "the screenplay retains the gritty emotion of its source but gets ponderous in the iconic third act .", "pretty much a religious sermon attempting to jab at impressionable viewers about god , heaven , and spirituality .", "the special effects suggest a narnia-like romp , but the movie has a darker , more sorrowful landscape to explore and it does so brilliantly , with true nuance and heartfelt sincerity .", "it 's an emotionally rich testament to the life-changing power of friendship .", "radiates with youthful imagination and the joys of using it to abandon the everyday .", "sort of awful , but it goes places most conventional children 's entertainments fail to go", "the fantasy scenes ... do not resonate with the mythic power of those in pan 's labyrinth , but this is as moving a coming of age story as one could want .", "the film , though , takes us to a world in which imagination comes to life , with lavish cgi special effects giving the magic of terabithia a palpable presence it never had in the book , even in jess and leslie 's imaginations .", "terabithia has buckets of gentle sincerity . since there are n't any dumb jokes or hip visuals , it 's easy to get caught up in the simple messages : be good to your sister , do n't be a bully , use your imagination in a pinch .", "a fanciful , emotional and entertaining movie .", "-lsb- director gabor -rsb- csupo understands that what 's really important to this story is n't the fantasy , but the reality -- he 's especially shrewd at showing us how keenly jess feels his family 's money troubles .", "MOV the movie , like the book , is buckets-of-tears sad . director csupo and company manage to get that -- the simple power of a story about kindred souls , about loss , about the limitless possibilities of a lively mind -- just right .", "beloved kids ' novel makes it to the big-screen unscathed , with very real childhood relationships , surreal special effects and a big weepie ending .", "it pulls no punches from the harder aspects of the book , particularly the central tragedy that makes MOV the tremendously sad , albeit redeeming , movie it is .", "MOV blew me -- and my cynicism -- away . even though i was drawn in from the beginning , i kept waiting for terabithia to let me down , but it never did .", "everyone involved genuinely seems to believe in the power of imagination to enliven -- and enlighten -- the darkest realities , and that 's a magic this film captures beautifully .", "pan 's labyrinth for kids ... such a story can be just as powerful without the gore and war .", "terabithia picks up a lot of emotional punch as it rolls along , and anyone leaving the theater with a dry eye should be checked for a pulse .", "the filmmakers do a nice job keeping the enchantment level high while -lrb- pardon the phrase -rrb- keeping it real .", "daleko od eskapizma", "a bittersweet , if ultimately uplifting , coming-of-age tale touching on a litany of themes , including fantasy , friendship and family .", "i was alternately charmed and disappointed ... the movie is certainly light years ahead of the mediocre television adaptation but it is not quite the definitive version of the story , despite the strong screenplay and fine lead actors .", "a champion of imagination .", "it 's a rare film that gives children an honest voice that does n't talk down to them . yet at the same time , there 's also a solid film inside for adults to enjoy as well .", "it 's the sort of movie i admire more in retrospect than i did while watching it .", "beautiful lesson in friendship for young and old .", "... there 's a third-act twist that brings some much-needed gravity to the proceedings .", "i liked the seriousness with which it has been made , the willingness to grant deep feeling to its young characters , and the way it avoids of a lot of the cliches ... but the failure to enchant in the scenes in the woods leaves a hole .", "charming , touching and refreshing , this is a film the whole family will enjoy .", "if you 're not afraid of your child 's developing critical thinking skills , then you should give them the book and take them to see this movie , too .", "a strong cast and imaginative story make MOV a movie well worth checking out . it may be a little too intense for younger kids , though .", "consistently smart and delicate as a spider web , MOV is the kind of children 's movie rarely seen nowadays .", "imaginative , touching and keenly attuned to the coming-of-age genre , MOV is a welcomed breath of fresh air in the stale family movie arena .", "a decent adaptation of paterson 's novel , and at times it is quite moving .", "paterson 's lovely , sweet story locates unexpected emotional power ...", "terabithia itself , only imagined on the page , is brought to life with imagination and heart . we only get glimpses , but they are tantalizing and witty , with glimmers that show us how even the most fantastical creations are grounded in our own thoughts and", "... a movie of homespun all-american beauty ...", "follows in lock-step with the book and populates its titular fantasyland with cgi creatures ... neither idea was very good .", "director gabor csupo does a fine job of weaving together the realities of life for ten-year-olds with the magical world jesse and leslie share .", "... from an adult 's perspective , i found the film lacking in the very creativity that its story line promotes .", "-lsb- full review in greek -rsb-", "robb spreads her energy around like it comes from a deep well at exxon ... . and everything is affected by it .", "a magical tale that does n't become maudlin when many films of its ilk could have . a beautifully touching performance from annasophia robb", "adapted from katherine paterson 's novel , this beautifully drawn family friendly film explores the power of the imagination , bonding two like-souls as they create their own world , far away from their bleak everyday .", "enjoyable , superbly acted drama that will appeal to kids and adults alike .", "the makers go easy on the special effects and the picture has a tragic dimension that young children will find upsetting . but if they watch it in the right spirit , and the right company , it could prove emotionally enlarging .", "it 's not a film that need unduly trouble grown-ups .", "here 's an old-fashioned children 's film that should suit the once huge family audience very well .", "while the visual-effects team conjures up a suitably spectacular vision of terabithia ... what 's most impressive about the movie is its sympathetic handling of some difficult real-world topics .", "less of a liberal hippie preach-fest that the book was , but still needlessly depressing for a kids ' movie", "smarter and warmer than most family-friendly fare .", "there 's enough emotional truth in MOV to make it a worthy addition to big-screen children 's literature , if not to propel it into the realms of a childhood classic .", "has inspired moments but too often feels like an extended after-school special , albeit one with good production values .", "through computer-generated imagery , the imagination becomes literal , and in some sense , this feels like a robbery of what lives inside the heads of children .", "the movie contains surprisingly little cgi , instead focusing on the kids , their unique bond and the powerful life lessons that come as a result of their adventures .", "very sad things prompt very big questions , and this movie is smart enough to avoid very easy answers .", "if you have n't read the book , i suggest you see the movie . it 's worth the bucks .", "although this family flick is being sold as the second coming of the chronicles of narnia or lord of the ringsbe warned that advertising can be deceptive ." ], "summary": "MOV is a faithful adaptation of a beloved children 's novel and a powerful portrayal of love , loss , and imagination through children 's eyes .", "id": "387371589" }, { "movie": "boyhood", "reviews": [ "and there 's a sadness in that you just do n't want MOV to end , with the film a remarkable accomplishment that wo n't be forgotten anytime soon .", "perhaps never has the long arc of the journey from childhood to college been portrayed as cohesively and convincingly as richard linklater has done in a film that can be plain on a moment-to-moment basis but is something quite special in its entirety .", "a quite remarkable piece of cinema .", "this is a movie where not much happens that probably has n't happened to you , but which , in the aggregation of these moments , becomes something utterly profound .", "MOV is the summation of richard linklater 's entire career ... a moving and masterful evocation of what it means to be a family , and all the hurt and hope that comes with it .", "from the moment a train pulled into a station filmmakers have been trying to present life to us -- to tell us its story -- and linklater may have now come the closest .", "linklater 's third masterpiece in the past decade should only affect anyone who 's ever been someone else 's sibling , child , parent , lover or friend .", "it seems appropriate that MOV was always in the background , charting its filmmaker 's growth from tape to before midnight . as mason grew , so did the man who kept returning to his story .", "MOV truly is a film about the human experience , and this is something everybody can relate to .", "captured in vivid images and told in linklater 's typically astute , observational style similar to his ` before ' movies , perhaps the greatest achievement is how natural it all flows together given the fractured manner in which the film was constructed .", "it 's a bit of a gimmick movie , sure , but it 's a brilliant gimmick . a coming-of-age movie where the characters actually come of age , imagine that .", "so , while it 's tempting to say that nothing happens in MOV , that would be wrong . what happens is everything .", "it is the details that are the story here , giving it a unhurried yet mesmerizingly enthralling feel and an unexpected power .", "those who bemoan cinema circa 2014 for being out of ideas : prepare to meet your match .", "to say MOV would n't be that special if it were shot in a conventional manner is kind of like saying that elephant in the zoo would n't be so big if it were n't so big .", "the originality of MOV clearly extends beyond what we see up on the screen , and it 's this film -- even more so than the career landmarks of slacker and the before trilogy -- that will earn linklater a place of immortality in the history books .", "`` MOV '' is a stunt , an epic , a home video , and a benediction . it reminds us of what movies could be and - far more important - what life actually is .", "a soulful movie about soulful people . you just ca n't help but fall in love with it .", "linklater 's writing is typically warm and insightful , and the cast is uniformly excellent , including ellar coltrane as the quiet , down-to-earth hero .", "MOV is a monumental achievement of guts , nerve and thoughtful craft , one of the sharpest films about texas and texans ever made and easily one of the year 's most important movies .", "if i have any quibble at all with richard linklatter 's glorious film , it 's the title . because while the ambitious concept is to follow one MOV , the movie is just as much about a family and about america .", "it 's an extraordinary achievement marked by simply wonderful performances .", "the result is it 's a wonderful story .", "an authentically awkward , ordinary life , scrupulously observed .", "both rewards and challenges our expectations of a coming-of-age narrative , delivering a portrait of growing up that is both poignant and poetic", "i became so interested , so invested in these characters that i kind of wished they were real . i wanted to know more . i wanted to be able to follow them after the final scene .", "MOV is an observant and sometimes profound marriage between fiction and reality .", "but the film 's best bits do n't give us nearly enough to justify those accolades or dispel the feeling that you 're being taken on a leisurely meander through lives short on surprises and revelations .", "linklater casts a spell that defies you to not be moved , and captures the incredible complexity , richness and emotion of every one of our unique lives in the process .", "this heartwarming and complexly layered drama is n't just one of the best films of the year , but one of the best of the decade , the kind of deeply touching experience that feels like a one-off .", "an indie film epic the likes of which have never been seen before . and yet , as with before midnight , it 's the project 's emotional authenticity that ensures that it really hits home .", "not a single line feels like a written joke , although the film is entirely scripted , and all of the humour feels observed rather than created . it is a technically astonishing , completely written fiction that feels like real life .", "thanks to the astonishing consistency of linklater and the cast , and the faultless editing of sandra adair , all this happens in MOV much as it would in reality , as a continual unfolding , without on-screen titles or chapter breaks .", "unshakable , witty and deeply felt , the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long , long time .", "richard linklater 's latest is an impressive feat of filmmaking even before you consider the narrative . that the 164-minute runtime rarely feels sluggish or padded is also a major achievement .", "not just a coming-of-age movie , but the definitive coming-of-age movie ...", "MOV is a narrative drama , but it unfolds like documentary truth .", "the film has that deadpan linklater tone of slacker haphazardness , but you could also say that it 's almost joycean in its appreciation of the scruffy magic of everyday life .", "there 's a rough-edged , organic quality to `` MOV '' that recalls the work of those european helmers linklater so admires : fassbinder , bergman , bresson .", "genuinely poignant , profound and relatable with a strong beginning , middle and end . why ca n't hollywood make films like this anymore ? now critics need only worry about their other 9 best films of the year .", "the film gives every appearance of happening exactly the way life does , and exactly the way life does , it makes you care .", "MOV proceeds in brisk , implacably linear chronological fashion , and despite its 165-minute running time , is astonishingly minimal .", "the meandering nature of MOV may not be for everyone , but it 's a unique and emotionally affecting film with a huge heart .", "i have long maintained that richard linklater is the most gifted and audacious director of his generation . his new movie , MOV , which runs 2 hours and 44 minutes , is a stunning reconfirmation .", "it 's a wonder , on every level , that a movie like MOV can exist . it 's even more amazing that it can be as good as it is , while coming together under impossible odds .", "when coming of age movies are measured years from now , MOV will be the benchmark for artistic achievement and cinematic scope .", "-lsb- video essay -rsb- just when you thought there was nothing new under the sun , richard linklater goes and makes the most anti-hollywood movie ever conceived .", "this 12-year undertaking is one of the most intriguing narrative film projects ever conceived . richard linklater has quietly become part of the foundation of american cinema .", "a marvelous , minimal epic of a movie ...", "an audacious coming-of-age tale unique in the history of cinema ; deeply moving and beautifully authentic .", "at its heart , though , MOV is less about MOV than parenthood . much of the viewer 's empathy lies with patricia arquette , who plays a mother struggling to raise two kids mostly on her own , with the occasional incursions of men .", "maybe only linklater could do a radical narrative experiment that 's also just another low-key slice of life . obviously , MOV required rigorous control , but never does it give off a sense of the filmmaker clutching it too tightly .", "these moments are almost cliches , but only because so many of us have lived these scenes in the course of our own lives , and that 's what makes them so powerful .", "watching the film , i was n't exactly as moved as i 'd hoped i would be , and that was at first disappointing . but then i remembered that richard linklater does n't really do big emotional indicating , that you have to listen a little closer .", "the film is at once of a piece with linklater 's other pictures -- as temporal as the before/after series , as philosophical as waking life -- and also more universal than anything else he 's done .", "it 's a film you ca n't stop watching . until it ends . and even then you wish MOV was only the beginning of an extraordinary work in progress .", "this is one experimental film that is a total success .", "richard linklater 's MOV is in most respects a traditional realist film -- plainly shot , devoid of plot gimmicks , aiming to approximate life as it is actually lived .", "by all means , enjoy this movie for its evocation of childhood , but let 's also appreciate how linklater calls for us to reimagine how we might treat movies and childhood : less judgment , less organization , more daydreaming .", "MOV is proof that a strange magic can still bloom amidst the tragedy that buffets human life .", "linklater and his team have done something incredibly difficult and made it look effortless . the result is easily one of the best films of the year .", "the minute events that linklater puts onscreen are endowed with meaning because they 're contextualized in the larger scope , which streamlines the most epic experience of all .", "it 's a collage of ordinary fragments that , in the end , add up to a greater whole .", "to sit with this movie and witness the concentrated passage of time is to watch , in a true , moving way , your life unspool before your eyes , without fanfare or idealism or romance .", "in completing this simple , beautiful project linklater took his time . and he rewards ours .", "MOV is perfectly imperfect , and surely not the last exploration of feature filmmaking as the ideal form to encapsulate duration and unities of location to come from the dogged , invaluable writer-director .", "one of the most interesting movies ever made , but also , perhaps , one of the most anticlimactic .", "a stunning and mind-blowing testament to the relentless passage of time .", "MOV , at its best , boasts qualities that are usually under-valued in avant-garde work : tingling observations , unforced comedy and quirky , enduring charm .", "the genius of MOV is that while watching it , you simply forget about the head-scrambling logistics of the project .", "one of the most remarkable moviegoing experiences i 've ever had .", "richard linklater 's coming-of-age tale is the best movie of the year , a four-star game-changer that earns its place in the cultural time capsule .", "i kept wondering what i was supposed to be enjoying about this film and i 'm still wondering .", "it 's the casual ease of `` MOV 's '' construction , its lack of a specifically lofty artistic objective , that makes it so effective .", "it 's the gimmick film to end all gimmick films . it 's linklater on a bike , holding his breath , crossing his eyes , puffing out his cheeks , going full speed at that ramp yelling , `` look , ma ! no hands ! ''", "MOV is as immersive as it is observational , and at the same time inescapably self-reflective . in terms of manipulating the relationship between viewer and screen , there is nothing quite like it .", "to call this drama `` audacious '' is an understatement . it 's a downright masterpiece and a film that will be studied and celebrated in the years to come .", "linklater 's filmmaking here is groundbreaking ... . but in terms of thematic originality it ca n't hold a candle to some of the other films from his incredibly diverse canon .", "a truly groundbreaking experience and a standout film of this or any year fully deserving the tag of a modern classic .", "less of a movie and more of an experiment . arguably , an experiment that ultimately works . but i would never sit through it again .", "a one-off masterpiece , the likes of which has never been done before , and will never be done again .", "if you support your family picking lettuce , your life is more interesting than linklater 's family .", "a heady film experience packed with so many telling details about life in the united states over the past 12 years - and one that makes you care such much about the struggles and foibles of its imperfect characters .", "there 's not a parent alive who will be able to shake the haunting beauty of linklater 's latest film , a flawed but vibrant masterpiece ...", "... will have you reflecting on your own life , all those moments big and small , many of which represented crossroads you may not have seen at the time .", "an extraordinarily intimate portrait of a life unfolding and an exceptional , unconventional film in which not much else occurs . never has so little meant more .", "filmmaker richard linklater has long since earned his reputation as an original thinker but his latest work , ` MOV , ' is in a class by itself .", "it 's an acheivement unlike anything i 've seen before , so i got ta go big : 5/5 schmoes for `` MOV '' . to paraphrase another linklater film ... your first priority of the summer should be to see this movie . -lrb- then lay back and crank some foghat . -rrb-", "-lsb- linklater -rsb- has fashioned a drama that feels far more authentic than any other coming of age movie .", "extraordinary in form , ` ordinary ' in content , MOV is ambitious , intimate and unforgettable . it might just be the apex of linklater 's life 's work .", "there is n't anything else quite like `` MOV '' in the history of cinema , although that would n't matter one-fifth as much if it were n't a moving and memorable viewing experience in the end .", "a tale that has been scripted and expertly shaped by linklater into a richly textured , completely winning human story .", "film , by its very nature , is meant to capture nuggets of time , but MOV is all forward momentum and growth . the weight it attains in its last hour is no accident . it 's the weight of existence itself .", "wobbly at times but still magical in an everyday way ...", "this is a film that 's as epic as it is minutely domestic , and reminds us that the banality of the everyday is what makes a life . how it can remind us of this , without being banal itself ? exactly . that is its phenomenal achievement .", "it is difficult to imagine after this movie how any film-maker can resort to the conventions of multi-decade storytelling -- ageing make-up , dusty wigs -- without appearing unforgivably lazy .", "MOV shimmers with unforced reality . it shows how an ordinary life can be reflected in an extraordinary movie .", "`` MOV '' is a transporting experience about the simplest of subjects . the movie telescopes artfully - but never pretentiously - the experience of growing up .", "richard linklater 's latest feels more like living a life than watching a movie . it 's a one-of-a-kind experience .", "MOV understands the tumult of childhood and adolescence as well as it does the hurdles and satisfaction of raising children .", "the film is lengthy -- almost three hours -- and without much plot , but i sat rapt for every minute .", "on rare occasions a movie seems to channel the flow of real life . `` MOV '' is one of those occasions .", "revolutionary in its approach and quietly transformational in the way of all great art ; experiencing it will change you .", "linklater uses life itself to his advantage by finding a clever way to capture its scope .", "the year 's most captivating narrative experiment , and possibly the most engrossing coming-of-age movie in the history of the genre .", "is it dumb to say , `` wow ? '' i do n't care . wow .", "is n't this what good therapists do -- help people understand trouble , hurt , hopes , and dreams by digging deep into memory and experience ?", "linklater has crafted what may be the most ingenious film of the century here and given it a tone like no other ...", "there is really nothing like the strange visual power of `` MOV '' in the cinematic history - full , though it is , of performers whose familiar faces pop up like weathering signposts on some highway of time .", "MOV is a noteworthy accomplishment - and an unparalleled movie experience .", "it is interesting even when nothing much happens , which is for most of its 3-hour running time .", "it 's an ambitious experiment that paid off big-time , both for linklater and his audience . i ca n't say i 've ever seen anything quite like it .", "arquette in particular unearths meaty pockets of raw emotion along her character 's journey through a performance that reminds us of her immense talent .", "linklater took a risk on an ambitious way to relate an oft-told tale , and in his newcomer lead and career-best turns from arquette and hawke , he succeeds .", "it 's a simultaneously modest and massively ambitious undertaking , so original in its conception and so successful in its execution that it deserves to be remembered as a landmark achievement .", "linklater bridges the gap between these more art-oriented projects and contemporary narrative cinema . he offers us a new sense of knowing time by inviting us to be present as it unfurls .", "the sweetly appealing coltrane shoots up before our eyes and does n't buckle under the scrutiny , but if mason is our ostensible focus then his mother olivia -lrb- patricia arquette -rrb- is the movie 's unsung heroine .", "linklater here is full of optimism , as always , but he remains a doggedly unsentimental realist .", "these are people you know , maybe people like you .", "it 's an honorable and obviously artistically successful project , my personal quibbles notwithstanding .", "a fiction film version of michael apted 's landmark 7 up series , writer/director richard linklater 's MOV is one of the best films he has ever made -- a linear , at times surprisingly poetic portrait of a modern american childhood .", "MOV is an epic masterpiece that seems wholly unconcerned with trying to be one .", "MOV is not just a genuine epic , not just beautiful and moving , it looks like a classic already .", "MOV is an epic of the everyday , as uplifting as it is universal .", "linklater has allowed an enormously engaging , deeply moving saga to weave its tendrils about the loose structure .", "for all of its contained and implied profundities , MOV succeeds in large part thanks to a virtually unnoticeable sleight of hand .", "by shooting this film over 12 years , writer-director richard linklater is able to explore family dynamics in an intensely involving way that 's never been seen on-screen before .", "MOV is an astonishing body of work : a unique cinematic experience that condenses over a decade of life into three blissful hours . the kind of movie you want to swim in .", "full of empathy and fully realized detail , its specificity transforming into universality , an achievement of time and love that 's already among the best films about childhood -lrb- and parenthood -rrb- you 'll ever have the pleasure to watch .", "the film ends and the credits come up and you ask the same question that you ask at the end of an evening spent with old , dear friends : where did the time go ?", "recommending a movie without a plot sounds ludicrous . that is , unless the movie is ` MOV ' and the movie was written and directed by richard linklater , whose ` before sunrise , ' ` before sunset ' and ` before midnight ' are beloved by so many film-goers .", "`` MOV '' a subtle , powerful meditation on life .", "while it is really an exploration of 12 mundane years in the life of a fairly ordinary american family , it is never boring and rarely makes you think that anything that happens was forced .", "one of the most emotionally powerful films of this or any other year .", "a wondrous exhibition of the intangibles that make a film great : tone , pacing , authenticity , subtext . but it 's most masterful at capturing the bittersweet passage of time .", "watching the film is less a matter of observing characters than spending time with friends .", "one of the great films of modern times .", "there is something quite extraordinary about richard linklater 's film as it depicts a fictional representation about growing up , family , relationships and life 's choices - using real time as its bookmark and calling card .", "there 's never been a movie quite like MOV , and it may be years before anyone works up the gumption to match its achievement .", "i can think of few feature films in the history of the medium that have explored the power , and the melancholy , of film 's intimate enmeshment with time in the way richard linklater 's MOV does .", "a unique and quite wonderful cinematic experiment which somehow manages to capture the intangible essence of life , in all its sound and fury , perhaps better than any film in recent memory .", "looking back on his accomplishments to date , it becomes clear that linklater is one of the grand pioneers , explorers , and expanders of contemporary cinema .", "... by the end you 'll feel like this massive time capsule was just injected into your soul .", "a film that i love more than i can say . and there is hardly a better , or nobler thing a film can do than inspire love .", "the film takes the audience on a visceral trip back to childhood partly because it shows a real child mature on screen . what completes the effect , though , is masterful writing and directing , by linklater , and editing , by sandra adair .", "rarely has anything like this been attempted in cinema , with a filmmaker intentionally setting out to watch a young person grow up on screen .", "-lsb- MOV -rsb- plays like a lyrical series of snapshots , capturing the kind of shared moments in time that seem to resurface almost randomly in our memories .", "the closest thing to a lived life that fictional cinema has yet produced .", "it 's one of those offerings that grows on you the more you think about it long after walking out of the theater . -lrb- full content review for parents also available -rrb-", "captures the bittersweet , sublimely humdrum process of growing up in a way that no other single movie has done .", "it truly is an epic account of anyone 's / everyone 's simple life story .", "despite the wrinkles in linklater 's time tapestry , he has given us one of the most memorable movies of the year , and probably his own masterpiece .", "linklater sculpts drama out of time , demonstrating that the fleeting moments we experience day in and day out are actually telling the story of our lives .", "once again , linklater achieves that easy-going , seat-of-the-pants realism .", "there 's not a great theme , a great performance or even a great scene in MOV . but i think it might be a great picture .", "it 's an astonishing achievement .", "a whisper short of three hours , the film and its plot are so lithe yet robust you can hang anything on them .", "a seemingly limitless stream of pure empathy runs through richard linklater 's transcendental movie event/social experiment/life-affirming headtrip MOV .", "MOV is a quiet marvel that follows its characters with a fondness that builds and a necessary distance that aches in its verisimilitude .", "like other linklater films , MOV is sunny and optimistic but not without its rocky moments , driven by dialogue that 's often funny and insightful but always natural .", "this is the best american movie i 've seen in years -- and one of the very best movies about america ever made .", "a word about the film 's epic length . MOV is 166 minutes long . yet it is so affecting , so much a thing of wonder , that it could run forever and i would still keep watching .", "its complete submission to those nothings , mediums , beautiful portraits of life 's fabric is what makes MOV unprecedented .", "the ambition at play here even makes linklater 's fantastic `` before sunrise/sunset/midnight '' series pale in comparison .", "one of the loveliest things about MOV is how much of it makes those long-forgotten strings of childhood vibrate within you . it reminds you of what it was like to be a kid .", "linklater 's casual hand at storytelling , dealing out reel after reel of naggingly forthright enlightenment , turns this simple tale of a mother trying to do her best into something worth every second of the time it took to produce .", "it 's a journey , seldom seen on film , that will fascinate and move you with every step .", "a portrait of the process of becoming who we are , and the people and events that pingpong across our path during it .", "watching these characters orbit in and out of one another 's lives gives a sense of actually watching people -- not canned archetypes , but fully formed people -- get older .", "linklater strings these ordinary moments together like christmas lights to make an entrancing portrait of life .", "a masterpiece of independent filmmaking , MOV is nothing short of an emotional epic , one that is relatable and moving and entirely unforgettable .", "an exceptionally well-crafted coming-of-age story .", "this film hits you in personal ways that have more to do with your identity and memory than with the film itself .", "adjectives really do n't do this one justice . richard linklater 's 12-year project is brilliant . and bold . and innovative . and not to be missed .", "too realistic to be inspirational but too genuine to fault , `` MOV '' is , against all odds , a cohesive cinematic feat not likely to be matched any time soon .", "a work that easily breaks free of the shackles of `` just a gimmick '' and emerges as a superb motion picture in its own right .", "it 's not every day you see something you do n't see every day . the day you experience linklater 's remarkable new work , i guarantee , will be one you wo n't soon forget . it 's perhaps the most artful and audacious experiment in the history of film .", "the movie is n't as here comes the big cry as the trailer and the concept would make you think ; it 's far too smart and wise for that . yet i still bet it makes you bawl your head off .", "an intimate epic as fresh and thrillingly alive as francois truffaut 's films of antoine doinel , who was wrought in five movies beginning with the 400 blows . MOV is but one movie , and it 's just as subversive .", "you 've undoubtedly never seen anything like this before .", "here is a film that captures the essence of memory .", "a quiet stunner of a movie that yields to time rather than try to bend it to its will .", "touching , funny , big-hearted and recklessly ambitious .", "could reveal itself as linklater 's defining cinematic statement .", "by the end so much has changed - a whole life seem to have been lived , and yet there 's still so much left .", "MOV is a coming-of-age film not quite like any other .", "-lsb- richard linklater 's -rsb- magnum opus is at once intimate and epic .", "as genuine as MOV feels , it falls short of really flooring you with greatness . so many life lessons seem to fall on deaf ears without more conflict or bad luck being thrown in along the way .", "rich in charm , meaning and heart , it stealthy worms its way into your being , triggering your own recall button on how growing up would be so much easier if adults would stop getting in the way .", "it is almost as if the audience is a part of the family in `` MOV . ''", "the very things that others love , the meandering , unfocused essences of the movie , were the things that i disliked . variety is the spice of life , right ?", "few filmmakers ever make a great movie . fewer still ever make a movie that expands what movies can express . richard linklater does both with MOV .", "it really is a movie unlike any other .", "far from a handicap , the film 's disjointed narrative elements become its greatest strength , showing that life 's -- and especially , childhood 's -- grand plot points never fall where we expect , and are often the result of elements beyond our control .", "richard linklater 's naturalistic , bittersweet , coming-of-age alternative to studio productions .", "any film that takes twelve years to shoot should be commended for its stamina alone ; yet no sense of grind , still less of fatigue , attends this richard linklater project .", "i ca n't help but think there may have been a better movie still lurking in his accumulated footage , one that with a mild shift in emphasis might have been titled , more ambitiously , adulthood .", "MOV is one of those extraordinary flicks that 'll remind you just how life-affirming a trip to the cinema can be .", "MOV proves we 're never the same people that we were when we were children . and it also proves what the old people always sighed about : `` they grow up so fast . ''", "terms like `` epic , '' `` ambitious , '' `` one-of-a-kind '' and `` career-capping '' normally sound pretentious . not here - this is a special , special film", "both a conceptual tour de force and a fragile , unassuming slice of movie life .", "linklater 's beautiful film is an extraordinary achievement - tender , funny , wise and wistful , full of warmth and humanity .", "one of the best and most memorable films ever made about the art of improvisation as a path of wisdom , creativity , and personal renewal .", "clocking in at close to three hours , MOV overstays its welcome a little ; but strong performances , an evocative soundtrack together with the director 's flair for off-the-cuff profundity ensure that fans of quality movie-making wo n't be disappointed .", "if there was ever project that demanded to be informed by the history of its making , `` MOV '' is it . epic in scope yet unassuming throughout , linklater 's incredibly involving chronicle marks an unprecedented achievement in fictional storytelling", "there 's a universal appeal here that 'll resonate whether you 're a son , daughter , father , mother or sibling . simply put , MOV is a masterpiece .", "given the fractured nature of the shoot , the film is remarkably fluent , and fortunate that young ellar coltrane is mostly an intriguing focus .", "believe the hype : richard linklater 's decade-in-the-making epic is a remarkable achievement .", "with a brilliant filmmaking experiment that works beyond belief , linklater continues to prove himself as one of the strongest character-driven filmmakers out there .", "not just a great stunt , but a deep and moving portrait of childhood , family , and growing up . the best picture of the summer", "as he has throughout his career , linklater proves himself as a filmmaker unconcerned with flash and dazzle but thoroughly compassionate and empathetic to a wide range of characters .", "intimate and insightful even in its weaker moments , linklater finds strength and value in normality .", "ambitious and an absolutely excellent endeavor .", "in the end the story just did not amount to much .", "richard linklater 's fascinating look at twelve years in the life of a young boy whose family life is far from perfect . the gimmick seldom feels like one .", "sorry i 'm a party pooper for a film most think is super .", "... a different and daring kind of cinematic experience , something rare enough in american popular cinema .", "MOV is the closest we 've ever come to narrative cin\u00e9ma-v\u00e9rit\u00e9 -- and the results are just a little mind-altering .", "time and change are the universal themes here , embodied and particularised in linklater 's dramatic study of a divided and mildly dysfunctional family ... this is one for the -lrb- and all -rrb- ages .", "MOV : concept : a execution : c --", "this is not only a great film , but an important landmark in how great films can be made .", "cinematic poetry ... as that greatest of screen rarities -- a potentially mainstream experimental film -- the writer-director earns a bit of slack in gratitude for the strange and wonderful gift MOV is ...", "director richard linklater accomplished something truly visionary with MOV . it 's nearly three hours long , but it moves by nearly as quickly as life does .", "... a truly memorable and singular cinematic experience that 's well worth the wait .", "cinema has always been the best place for time travel , but rarely has it been so anchored in reality than in richard linklater 's MOV .", "this is more than a groundbreaker : it 's a new american classic .", "while everything about MOV is done with extraordinary care , the master stroke was clearly the casting , 13 years ago , of a little texas boy named ellar coltrane .", "we can quibble with small stuff in MOV . supporting performances are variable , the sister drops out as a dramatic character ... i could go on . but the cumulative power is tremendous .", "it 's like a time-lapse photo of an expanding consciousness .", "what an astonishing achievement ; what a beautiful movie .", "probably one of the most unusual coming of age films you 'll ever hope to see .", "we ca n't help feeling inexorably attuned to these people ... as if the idea of sitting down to dinner with them is not only possible , but de facto .", "MOV , which started filming in 2002 and continued off and on for twelve years , is the greatest coming-of-age story ever put to film .", "MOV is dizzying and dazzling , messy and mesmerizing , an ambitious and singular movie that grapples with towering questions about life itself - and finds profundity in how it not fails but refuses to provide all the answers .", "MOV fills you with openhearted happiness and awe at its scope and daring . it 's a low-key masterpiece , a wistful comedy that never forgets to keep genuine emotions foremost .", "it 's a linklater picture all around , treating an impossible cinematic mission with all the urgency of a leisurely conversation . MOV sinks in slowly instead of demanding attention .", "director richard linklater approached this decade-spanning project with a novelist 's ambition and patient determination -- it 's unique in its rhythms .", "an absolutely brilliant film about the stuff of day-to-day life .", "richard linklater 's film is an experiment in time , and one that 's attentive to the audience 's sense of empathy .", "MOV is an oversized and sprawling smorgasbord of a movie , blending the beautiful with the irritating in a rich and messy tapestry of growing pains and pubescent grumbling .", "it just moves so quickly , which , i suppose , is the whole point . for those of us who were already marking time by tracking ethan hawke 's facial hair , it 'll be a startling experience .", "MOV is not only a masterful film but a culturally rich one as well , a cinematic equivalent to the mark twain coming of age classic `` the adventures of tom sawyer '' yet made for a new generation .", "for as down to earth as the material is , linklater elevates it into something important , making a study of not only childhood and human development , but the rigors and vicissitudes of adulthood .", "MOV is a one of a kind experience .", "`` MOV '' is not just a great movie , it 's a landmark achievement in film .", "it captures the essence of an american family with an accuracy and intimacy unseen in a feature film before .", "as a film that dares to honor small moments and the life they add up to , `` MOV '' is n't just a masterpiece . it 's a miracle .", "forget 3d ; MOV reaches out to touch your soul .", "an instant classic twelve years in the making , striking in its tender tone and stunning in its cumulative emotional impact .", "it 's close to three hours long , there 's almost no plot , the star is someone you 've never heard of and , yet , `` MOV '' is mesmerizing .", "it 's easy to watch the film and recall similar moments in your own life . that 's not enough ; the film needs to inspire reflection , not just recollection .", "... chronicles the colossal significance of the everyday .", "it is nothing short of stunning to watch `` MOV '' unfold . richard linklater 's magnum opus offers more than what one has any right to expect from a film while simultaneously illuminating the infinite boundaries to which cinema is capable of going .", "`` MOV '' is a cinematic gift , a compassionate and sometimes amusing drama about growing up that extracts truths out of what appear to be life 's most random moments .", "as is linklater 's custom , MOV is profound in such a casual way that its weighty themes feel nonchalant , effortless . this movie might make you cry for reasons you ca n't quite articulate . you wo n't be alone in feeling that way .", "it 's a slow-burn drama that works well over its epic length , exploring the nuances of those around mason rather than lurching for the dramatic spikes and revelations we normally associate with the mislabelled `` coming-of-age '' sub-genre of teen films .", "the effect is uncanny and heartbreaking , yet exhilarating , not depressing . mom sums it up , when mason celebrates his 15th birthday : ` i 'm so glad you were born . ' we 'd like to think she 's speaking to all of us .", "an amazing , time-capsule-worthy portrait of MOV", "linklater 's bold experiment pays off", "um road movie no qual a estrada \u00e9 o tempo .", "what MOV lacks in terms of story development and pace , this inevitably flawed but compelling experiment compensates by showing its central cast experiencing real life and growing considerably older without the need for special effects and prosthetics .", "it may be two and a half hours , and it may avoid the normal conventions of plot , but it has a weight and substance that feels like nothing else ... a truly singular movie-going experience .", "the real reason for this film 's high level of realism and drama is its screenplay -lrb- this film is written and directed by richard linklater -rrb- which is refreshingly adult , realistic , dramatic and reflective of today 's society .", "so much could have gone wrong over the years , it 's insane that any filmmaker would have tried this . but if anyone could pull it off , it would be linklater .", "this is an intimate , poignant film that makes you feel a little sad . but there are lots of loving and funny moments - such as when mason and his kids campaign for barack obama - and the overall effect is life-affirming .", "linklater 's MOV is a must-see film for any lover of the movies . it 's the type of film that was imagined when they invented film .", "a period film shot in the present , MOV also provides us with vivid cultural snapshots from the recent past - including queuing in robes for the latest harry potter novel and obama 's 2008 election campaign ." ], "summary": "epic in technical scale but breathlessly intimate in narrative scope , MOV is a sprawling investigation of the human condition .", "id": "771373348" }, { "movie": "10011016-messenger", "reviews": [ "the MOV is always just left of straightforward , which keeps it interesting .", "-lsb- foster and harrelson 's -rsb- interplay , on the job -lrb- ruining the day of one unfortunate person after the next -rrb- and off ... provides the backbone of this erratically paced film .", "alejado de cualquier rastro de patriotismo , desnudando la complejidad emocional detr\u00e1s de un drama hist\u00f3ricamente recurrente que ha sido retratado con frecuencia por el cine norteamericano , aunque esta vez de manera un poco m\u00e1s intimista .", "i know several folks in military service who would n't watch this movie if you paid them .", "it 's a shame so few people will see this on the silver screen .", "it never feels contrived or overwritten , managing to deftly pack emotional punches through the strength of its performances and direction .", "do n't let the fact woody harrelson got an oscar nomination tempt you anywhere near the MOV - the message here is about as welcome as a death knock on a wet sunday afternoon .", "the MOV takes on a warmth and plangency that rewards viewing .", "although it stumbles on the storytelling , drifting rather repetitively around the lives of its haunted protagonists , it 's a rewarding , humane picture .", "an intelligent , superbly acted and moving drama that manages to say more about war and its consequences than most films set on the front line .", "... a poignant tale of redemption that counts as one of the very best films of the year .", "what the MOV has going for it is some sober , straightforward direction from oren moverman and a few strong performances .", "% u2026 while several -lsb- irag war movies -rsb- have touched on the soldiers ' internal experience , none have stayed with it for the duration of the film the way the MOV does .", "harrelson received an oscar nomination for supporting actor for his grim and volatile performance , but it could just as easily have gone to the quietly seething foster .", "a sobering drama that at its core is a heterosexual love story between two men . to be clear , there 's no homoerotic undercurrent here but it 's a love story of opposites falling for each other nevertheless .", "hero without a cause", "the MOV 's clipped insight that war is hell is just the sort of line straight from the manual that the film strenuously cautions against .", "there is n't a single glimpse of battlefield action in the MOV , but foster conveys the intensity of warfare in a long speech revealing how will was injured .", "a film that never forgets those who most feel the pain of loss during a time of war .", "... a stunningly sad and sobering movie about the inevitable personal costs of national bellicosity .", "harrelson gives us layers of hurt under a callous yet needy crust . it may be the best performance of his career and certainly deserves oscar consideration .", "the MOV is the first film from oren moverman as a director , and it 's a fine piece of work .", "although hollywood has dealt with the war from various perspectives , moverman 's film offers a new angle that brings the horrors home about the decision to go to war .", "another dark , gloomy drama about home life during wartime , this film features some seriously great performances and a theme that will resonate powerfully with thoughtful audiences .", "for all the film 's gritty verisimilitude , the MOV is not the great iraq war movie that kathryn bigelow 's the hurt locker is .", "intelligent , graceful , and touching filmmaking .", "no quote available .", "this is a great anti-war film examining the residual effect of war on the people who fight it and the people who are left behind .", "woody harrelson and ben foster dominate every inch of the screen .", "the worst job in the army is n't cleaning latrines or disarming roadside bombs , it is being back home telling people that someone they love has been killed .", "the MOV , showing humanity under siege , opens wounds inflicted by the iraq war -- not on the battlefield but in the hearts of the families of soldiers who never made it back home .", "a worthy addition to the canon of iraq war films , the MOV has a gentle humanity that creeps under your skin .", "shame nobody told writer-director oren moverman not to shoot the MOV ... before giving the script a good rewrite first .", "there 's essentially very little to take from the MOV if you 've already got it into your head that emotions are complicated and people are flawed .", "it 's a tough job but someone 's got to do it in a moving look at one of the armed forces ' most harrowing details .", "together , under the assured direction of first-time feature filmmaker oren moverman , these three actors tell a story that is at once hard-hitting and bizarrely gentle .", "the two leads give nuanced , lived in performances that unfold slowly but with certain determination .", "the film does lapse into cliche with foster 's descent into alcohol as a means of coping with the daily trauma of the job , but israeli director oren moverman keeps the film rich in raw detail .", "a sobering , well-acted look at a reality for thousands of american families .", "foster and harrelson have a winning camaraderie as they develop a bond of trust and friendship . both performances are memorable and deserve year-end awards consideration .", "the beauty in foster 's portrayal is that it never completely explodes , but anger and aching seethe behind his eyes . harrelson , meanwhile , is a good old boy with a bad old job .", "just do n't watch this and the hurt locker back to back or you 'll need to refill your anti-depressants when you 're done .", "the miracle of this film is in its insistence on finding a way back home -- to fragile new beginnings giving way to new friendship , perhaps even new love .", "harrelson gives what might be a career performance as a jaded mentor who tries to conduct each notification using a well-rehearsed set of rules of engagement .", "the best war movies do n't preach against war : they remind us of the costs for soldiers and families and ask us to consider whether those costs are worth paying .", "gripping but uneven home front war drama .", "the MOV involves difficult subject matter , but it 's not hard to watch . it 's sad and sobering , but also humorous and touching at turns .", "because of the nature of its subject matter , ` the MOV ' is emotionally charged , but director oren moverman and his able cast prevent it from feeling phony or manipulative .", "co-screenwriter/director oren moverman slowly peels back the layers to the characters , with the game cast helping considerably in that regard .", "... -lsb- the MOV -rsb- highlights the gulf between those who have served in iraq and nearly everyone else they deal with after returning home .", "moverman 's scripting is subdued and emotionally authentic .", "grief is universal , and watching soldiers deal with complex emotions seems to me universal too .", "as powerful and restrained a drama as you could wish for ... a film of both great sadness and great redemption .", "this is a fully felt , morally alert , marvellously acted piece of work . despite the grim subject , it 's a sweet-tempered movie , with moments of explosive humor -- an entertainment .", "a penetrating assessment of post-war readjustment .", "the MOV manages to be both practical and patriotic in the same breath , zeroing in on one of the most painful aspects of wartime .", "this richly conceived powerhouse drama about life and death is ultimately about the search for a sense of family , whether in peace or war , and what binds humans together despite the most unendurable horrors at hand .", "a well-performed example of male bonding in the army .", "what could have been a grim , depressing iraq war drama of men who deliver dreaded news becomes in moverman 's promising debut a tale of grief and survival , a balance of grave issues and humor .", "a n intricate dual character study .", "... a powerful perspective on the casualties of war .", "the MOV drives home the point that war is a losing proposition , which has nothing to do with who is victorious on the battlefield . they 're the everyday losses of life , of family , of friends .", "the massage is important , and the acting from harrelson is incredible .", "it 's sublime to see woody harrelson become robert duvall , with grit , gusto and muscles visibly twitching beneath his head . `` the MOV '' is draining , but not numbing - an agnostic anthem to the impossibility of applying predictive methods to grief .", "the film is poised , unforced and powerful .", "the film does n't tread a predictable , easy path , but stick with it because it has something to say and it is refreshingly different , mature and memorable", "with deftly drawn characters and beautifully understated performances , this engaging drama is tremendously moving .", "a beautifully rendered and necessarily painful window onto an overlooked reality .", "nice acting . solid direction . worth an investment of your time . paul chambers , cnn .", "a powerful , ptsd psa for ` do n't ask , do n't kiss and tell ' advocates .", "the MOV delivers what it has to say without sensationalism or political posturing . that restraint , along with the quality of the performances , makes it all the more powerful .", "a forcefully acted and peculiar emotional drama ...", "foster leaves you hoping that will finds his way home .", "there is a complexity to the story and characters that i want more insight on and i really believe that the movie might grow on me with a repeat viewing .", "this film does n't take political sides -- and it 's all the more heartbreaking because of its restraint .", "whenever writer-director oren moverman moves past these scattered and admittedly voyeuristic moments into the lives of the two soldiers , the movie drifts into received wisdom and unconvincing romance .", "this is a wholly different look at the fallout of the iraq war and its effect on soldiers and civilians . it is also a gentle portrait of grief , friendship and solace .", "individually , none of the mini-dramas in the MOV would be enough to blow you away . but grouped together , they 're so beautifully and specifically written that they make for a convincing picture of the first stages of grief .", "one of the rare movies that communicates honestly and artfully about the real casualties of war : the surviving combatants .", "it brings home the horror of the iraq war in a way that much of our tv news media have failed to do .", "a powerhouse performance full of tragic comic undertones while looking at the psychological effects of war in an original storytelling manner ...", "-lsb- an -rsb- unpredictable , episodic , deeply resonant character piece .", "the oscar-nominated script pursues a grimly honourable task into its grim and not always honourable byways .", "this worthwhile drama reports from the home front as the war on terror continues .", "it 's a welcome addition to the increasingly interesting movie canon dealing with the downside of the war .", "intimate , powerful filmmaking .", "an intelligent and well-acted film which deserves its outing here .", "foster and an oscar-nominated harrelson effectively convey the outward steel and inner fragility of these men of war but the film is slow-moving and maudlin .", "stumbles a little , loosening its grip in the bromantic final stretch . but if impenitent heartstring pluckage is what you 're after , this is where it 's at .", "it 's a film of quietly assured dramatic clout , a strong and sober reckoning with american conscience .", "it 's worth seeing for foster 's performance anyway , and for a brief and excellent one from steve buscemi as a mourner .", "viewers will appreciate the work ethic up there on the screen , and how it finds a number of fresh and telling angles on the complexities of the grieving process .", "the MOV is a successful examination of the harsh realities of war that too often are put in the back of people 's minds .", "messengers with the worst possible message , they nonetheless manage to be human and alive ... . in a film that itself bears sad tidings about the costs of war , that is an affirming , even an inspiring , gift .", "moverman understands the deep , powerful struggle that must accompany such constant grappling with death .", "a fine bookend to katheryn bigelow 's the hurt locker , showing another side of how the war at home can be just as rigorous as the one abroad .", "oren moverman 's sober and satisfying drama shows how the wars in afghanistan and iraq have created a fissure in american society .", "a somber drama about intimate wartime tragedies , oren moverman 's debut feels more respectful than real .", "poignant and insightful .", "this character piece may be for the arthouse , but the artistry has a gaping wound , large enough to allow credulity to seep out .", "a shoddy , shouty bore . a piece of flummery .", "i 'm not sure how morton made sense of her character 's ebbs and flows , but i never doubted her . she 's a mariner in uncharted seas of emotion .", "powerful and resonant , this is a film that asks us to look at the human cost of war . ben foster is a revelation .", "in an indirect sense , this film is also about the reality of war as opposed to the illusions about war .", "the MOV is a film about shock and healing . forget awe . in a world that avoids the realities of war , the MOV casts a flickering light on some of the human cost of war .", "as suspenseful -- in its less-violent way -- as ` the hurt locker , ' as the soldiers bring their bad news to the homes of unsuspecting family members in a series of devastating vignettes , beautifully wrought by director oren moverman .", "with the insight and sensitivity of an insider , the MOV illuminates the sometimes invisible victims of war -- the survivors -- and a pain that is tolerated but never quite healed .", "the MOV makes it -lsb- the death of a soldier -rsb- personal . and it is uncomfortable . well-done movies about the tragedy of war and its impact on ordinary lives are that way .", "well acted , bare-bones look at homefront horror , but it 's not quite in the same war league as the hurt locker .", "implies without stating , allowing us to understand and interpret the men as we will , without having anything forced down our throats .", "valiantly brings all wars to their ultimate endpoint : death and its effects on the fallen 's loved ones .", "this is the kind of film people might skip due to the preponderance of war movies out there , or forget in the wake of flashier end-of-the-year output , but the MOV is one to watch for great performances .", "the MOV knows that even if it tells a tearjerking story , it does n't have to be a tearjerker . in fact , when a sad story tries too hard , it can be fatal .", "a universally relatable drama instead of just another story about iraq .", "one of the most powerful and moving films about the human cost of the afghan-iraq war and about those of war in general to appear in years .", "director oren moverman 's feature-length debut is a little like the hurt locker in the way it uncomfortably probes a little-known military organelle .", "this is a poignant war movie , but it 's also a buddy movie with a difference , one that 's both funny and bleak .", "the scenes are rendered by director oren moverman with an authenticity and realism that makes them as harrowing and heartrending as they deserve to be .", "some jobs are dirtier than others , and after seeing director and co-writer oren moverman 's beautifully acted new film the MOV , you 'll be better acquainted with some of the most grueling work a human being can be called upon to perform .", "the MOV is a privileged glimpse into people 's private pain , a drama shot with the simplicity and immediacy of a documentary .", "a stunning debut , an effective , expertly-made and performed drama about the common human ability to deal with tragedy and loss in unique , unpredictable ways .", "do n't call it a comeback because woody harrelson never went away ! this film that will remind everyone how good of an actor he is .", "i used to think working at the salt lake city hooters was the worst job in the world . boy was i wrong . that dubious occupational honor goes to working for the army 's casualty notification service .", "this is the type of original film that should be pulling in the box office numbers . harrelson and foster deliver completely natural and raw performances . see this movie now !", "it 's hard to believe that an actor of ben foster 's caliber is just now getting a leading role .", "beyond the interesting subjects , moverman does n't have a definitive place for his film to go .", "foster is a revelation , while harrelson has arguably never been better .", "an emotionally affecting drama about the birth of compassion in an iraq war hero assigned to work for the casualty notification office .", "like `` the hurt locker '' , calculated to sell tickets to tea-baggers and moveon.org alike . informed by the clint eastwood/paul haggis school of bad didactic screenwriting .", "this is a powerful war film that never needs to enter the battlefield for you to be fully absorbed .", "yes , you 're going to have to look for the MOV . but the fact it 's one of the best american films of 2009 makes that search worthwhile .", "at its center lie three accomplished performances , by ben foster , woody harrelson and samantha morton , that are not to be missed .", "so bungled up with fashionable ambivalence about the iraq war that every single behavioral detail is not just prejudicial but wrong .", "these largely self-contained vignettes are harrowing , the source of a font of raw emotional release that could never be otherwise captured except through a presumably invasive documentary process .", "in his directorial debut , moverman is a very confident filmmaker , one who can sustain unbroken scenes of over 10 minutes without making it seem self-indulgent or gimmicky .", "harrelson 's calm performance anchors the film , and whenever the story drifts back to him and his cautious friendship with foster , the flick feels true .", "this film will be too much for some viewers because of the spot-on antiwar statement but the story is tight and the performances powerful .", "as the lonely , complex and friendly stone , harrelson evokes the experience of the MOV as sturdily as a freshly pinned medal of valor .", "the MOV honors those who fought and died in iraq by acting out , with an anguished handheld immediacy , how large each of those sacrifices really is .", "a story that strays about without finding its center .", "a devastating debut helmed with immense power and control ... foster , a rising talent whose career brings to mind edward norton , is tremendous .", "many scenes in the MOV feel merely illustrative , not designed to develop characters and story so much as to make the point , over and over , that the home front can be as harrowing as the front lines .", "it 's foster 's movie .", "the film is premised on the verbal communication of urgent information , yet its many non-verbal moments provide the greatest strength and clarity .", "... foster and harrelson 's respectively striking work is alone justification for the film 's existence .", "the bombshell is the news of a soldier 's death and the delivery of that message is the heart of this unsentimental , yet deeply moving , story .", "the first warning bell sounds when woody boasts of his aa membership , as i do n't believe anybody has ever seen harrelson stay sober for an entire movie ... or even an afternoon .", "the vignettes of reactions to montgomery and stone 's grim visits are the meat of the movie .", "a tremendously moving drama , filled with heartbreak , humor and , most importantly , humanity .", "delivering the news to the families of soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice , a repressed will is drawn to one empathetic widow .", "there is great power in examining raw human emotions , especially when it 's done so gracefully and honestly .", "a wrenching and superbly acted character study ." ], "summary": "a dark but timely subject is handled deftly by writer/directer owen moverman and superbly acted by woody harrleson and ben foster .", "id": "770780130" }, { "movie": "1006234-dracula", "reviews": [ "certainly it is lugosi 's performance , and the cinematography of karl freund , that make tod browning 's film such an influential hollywood picture .", "MOV deserves its status as a classic , although one might be tempted to append the word ` lesser ' to that label .", "bela lugosi is inspired in the role of the vampire . one can no longer label it a good performance or a bad performance . lugosi embodies the role .", "while lugosi is of course memorable , do n't forget helen chandler 's mina , who communicates more through her eyes than virtually any other actress caught on film .", "after lugosi , all vampire performances are doomed to be compared against him as either homage or departure .", "it haunted no one as much as dear bela ...", "-lsb- the music -rsb- contributes to tod browning 's marvellous tone of restrained horror and stylish after-life .", "there is a reason why bela ended up in ed wood movies", "once you get into the rhythms of the film , you 'll discover a masterpiece .", "not by any means the masterpiece of fond memory or reputation , although the first twenty minutes are astonishingly fluid and brilliantly shot by karl freund .", "the opening scenes , set in MOV 's castle , are magnificent -- grave , stately , and severe . but the film becomes unbearably static once the action moves to england .", "the atmospheric opening is the best part -- moody and full of sinister potential . after that , it 's stilted drawing-room talk , variably acted , except for the cultish over-the-top dementia of dwight frye .", "bela lugosi gives the performance of his life in a role that might have been written just for him . highly atmospheric throughout , this remains a milestone in horror movie history .", "all time horror classic starring lugosi ; still creepy as blazes .", "creepily beautiful .", "MOV -lrb- 1931 -rrb- is one of the earliest classic american horror films from universal pictures - an acclaimed masterpiece directed by tod browning", "a sublimated ghost story related with all surface seriousness and above all with a remarkably effective background of creepy atmosphere .", "an exciting melodrama , not as good as it ought to be but a cut above the ordinary trapdoor-and-winding-sheet type of mystery film .", "... it 's clear that the movie simply does n't hold up terribly well all these years later .", "it remains the most subtly romantic and highly atmospheric rendition of bram stoker 's tale about the transylvanian count , with browning orchestrating the opening scenes to macabre perfection .", "it 's a case of lightning-in-a-bottle casting and there 's no way of telling if anyone else as MOV would 've become the model for every single MOV that followed .", "bela lugosi gives his greatest performance as the mesmerizing menace from transylvania . MOV chilled audiences in the 1930 's , and it still gives me goosebumps .", "a classic despite numerous flaws .", "stark , cold , and deeply sensual , `` MOV 's '' atmosphere and intention is rooted in a fear of unknown lust and desire from which there can be no escape . to view `` MOV '' is to be bitten by the vampire 's desperate attack .", "a perfect example of the worst traits of hollywood films in the early sound era .", "lugosi 's seminal performance and the striking opening act are what distinguish browning 's version of the classic tale .", "with mr. browning 's imaginative direction and mr. lugosi 's makeup and weird gestures , this picture succeeds to some extent in its grand guignol intentions .", "despite its reputation as a horror classic , MOV is tedious , stagebound and dull ; saved only by lugosi 's perfomance .", "MOV takes place within the confines of the parlors and drawing rooms of london society , which bears a striking resemblance to americana circa 1931 .", "bathed in an atmosphere of nightmare , dread and otherworldliness that is unlike anything else in american horror cinema .", "campy by today 's standards , but still the melancholic master of fright flicks .", "still the best american take on the infamous bloodsucker .", "... the film survives as a classic horror tale largely because of lugosi 's distinctive portrayal as MOV .", "when bela lugosi died he was buried wearing one of his original silk capes . forever cloaked , he casts his shadow still .", "\u00e9 uma pena que o vampiro absoluto das telas , bela lugosi , n\u0103o tenha estrelado um filme perene como a lenda em que ele se tornou .", "... a motion picture for people who love motion pictures , their history , and their evolution . it is a self-recommending classic ." ], "summary": "bela lugosi 's timeless portrayal of MOV in this creepy and atmospheric 1931 film has set the standard for major vampiric roles since .", "id": "18413" }, { "movie": "dark_days", "reviews": [ "it 's distinguished by remarkable intimacy , with none of the arty distance or aesthetic pretension a veteran filmmaker might have imposed . singer 's subjects feel more like collaborators , an ensemble cast .", "as superficial as MOV was , the subject is singular enough for the film to be memorable .", "i would love to see a kind of 14-up sequel : what 's happened to these people in the interim ? a tough , compassionate movie .", "a black-and-white hymn to the energy of the dispossessed , made in the late 1990s , but still horribly relevant .", "the movie , as heroic as it may have been to produce , is more noteworthy for its intentions than its execution .", "complemented by its black-and-white photography and a moody dj shadow score , this is a gritty yet often tender look at society 's margins .", "the ending stumbles , but not enough to tarnish this study of life lived under society 's radar .", "a work at once intimate , irreverent and respectful , from which unforgettable characters emerge , beautifully shot in black and white and with a soundtrack by dj shadow .", "a deeply humanistic documentary about nyc 's `` lower depths '' .", "shot in stylized black-and-white , this docu about the homeless was the winner of multiple awards at the sundance film fest .", "MOV remains a vital documentation and representation of a continuing , widespread problem , the resonance of which is heightened in these fragile , economically troubled times .", "a remarkable film , and an unmissable rediscovery .", "MOV is a well-paced look at an undeniably riveting subject .", "while director marc singer 's dedication is admirable , the film itself has trouble shedding light on its subject .", "one of the best films about the homeless ever made .", "singer 's grainy ... photography lends the film the evocative aura of something that has been unearthed , while the spare , haunting soundtrack by dj shadow perfectly captures the sense of otherworldliness that pervades this remarkable film .", "revealing , if occasionally frustrating .", "the lives of these people inside their shacks are full of surprises as well as grim confirmations , but the things we do n't know about them also significantly shape our experience of the film .", "singer deserves credit for attempting to put a human face on such tragic circumstances , but he appears to have gotten so close to his main subjects that he seems unwilling to make them , or their desperate situation , look too bad .", "some of these hardy souls have lived this way for years , decades even , and they 've lived not just to tell the tale but to suggest that they 've created a viable alternative existence . at times , MOV almost makes you envious . but only almost .", "marc singer 's documentary MOV absolutely blew me away . it takes the viewer on a thoroughly engrossing journey to the heart of darkness .", "the documentary is amazing .", "this is the world discovered and illuminated by gonzo documentarian marc singer , who spent a good part of two years living with and chronicling the lives of a half-dozen tunnel dwellers for his remarkable first film , MOV", "moving and memorable .", "the virtue of MOV is that it provides a forum for its subjects , who turn out to be funny , charming , acerbic , annoying , callous , kind and , ultimately , fully human . the movie 's other quality -- a dewy romanticism -- is both an asset and a detriment .", "mark singer 's astonishing debut is a stylishly shot black and white 16 mm documentary which focuses on the homeless who inhabit the subway tunnels beneath manhattan .", "director singer actually lived in the tunnels himself for a while , so the result is fascinating and never patronising .", "MOV is so engrossing it 's easy to forget you 're watching a movie . it 's a film whose subject matter is so much larger , so much more interesting than sitting in a theater -lrb- or on your couch -rrb- , that it 's practically impossible not to get caught up .", "looking to have your preconceived notions shattered at the movies ? take in MOV , a truly astonishing documentary about the homeless people who inhabit a deserted train tunnel beneath the streets of new york city .", "marc singer 's film shows an extraordinary world that exists below the streets of manhattan .", "MOV is an engrossing account of a world most of us could not have imagined inhabited by people whose fates we care about .", "the result is an eye-opener that takes us into singer 's experience and turns our perceptions of the homeless inside out .", "told from deep inside by people who trusted singer enough to be open and candid , the film treats its subjects straight-on , without the kinds of patronizing or romanticizing that often mar generically well-meaning documentaries on the dispossessed .", "an unromanticized and fascinating glimpse of the lives of a community of homeless people surviving in a train tunnel in manhattan .", "if any urban setting conjures up an image of the bowels of hell , surely this is it . and ` MOV records it in stark black-and-white pictures that stir the most primal fears of subsisting in a world without light .", "these are not mole-men , these are people who once had lives like everyone else . in the cold , in the dark , it 's all too easy to forget that . singer makes sure that we do n't .", "marc singer 's feted 2000 doc about a manhattan subterranean community has lost none of its power since its debut .", "singer achieves remarkable intimacy with his subjects , who share their experiences and joke around with the man behind the camera as freely as they do with their peers .", "singer captures intimate moments in the lives of his subterranean protagonists in their strange , crepuscular world .", "a portrait of the homeless community of `` mole people '' who lived in sections of disused underground tunnels in new york , this is a singularly powerful account of the lives of the dispossessed and desperate .", "singer 's stark black-and-white photography renders their world with the abstract horror of a german expressionist film , yet he 's equally skilled at coaxing the grim personal stories of life underground .", "it 's hard not to get caught up in these people 's lives , or to be impressed by their resiliency .", "as we come to know the residents , we find their lives , and yearning for home and safety , as tragic , funny , and involving as anything in a scripted movie .", "a fascinating , beautifully photographed portrait of a vanished community : a group of homeless people who built a shanty town in the train tunnels beneath penn station .", "if you want to know where to find the truly dedicated filmmakers , you have to see documentaries . it 's there you can find true commitment , from the likes of filmmakers like marc singer .", "as a chronicle of midnight and dawn in the great human day , MOV ranks among the most moral of films .", "simultaneously uplifting and shaming .", "marc singer 's camera hustles and chills along with them all , documenting their lives in black-and-white as high-contrast as the days above to the nights below .", "the documentary feels like it surreptitiously removed another barrier to more direct relations between those behind and in front of the camera .", "designed neither to warm your heart nor shelter you in the comfort of liberal guilt , the movie does what so many style-conscious , `` subjective '' documentaries have long forgotten how to do . it shows you a world , and stays the hell out of it .", "-lsb- singer -rsb- is granted such candid interviews and such complete access to these people 's lives that even if it were not an adroit piece of filmmaking with an attention-grabbing style , MOV would still be engrossing to watch .", "shot in black and white , marc singer 's compassionate film introduces the audience to the tunnel 's many inhabitants .", "a haunting account of outcasts forging their own definition of home on the very margins of mainstream society .", "a celebration of human resourcefulness , MOV is also an indictment of the society that makes such resourcefulness a necessity .", "this exploration of the dark does n't shed much light .", "with an ending that is surprisingly upbeat , MOV is , in the long run , a tribute to its characters ' indomitable spirits .", "haunting documentary about the homeless beneath new york 's streets", "a gripping collection of vignettes that show a side of life most of us will hopefully never have to witness first-hand .", "a superb film that , unlike so many others , will make you realise the value of what you have .", "the raw honesty here is startling -- these people open themselves up to the camera in such a candid way that we ca n't help but be drawn into their world .", "MOV attacks our wastefulness and insensitivity to the underprivileged , and is enhanced by the use of humour and understatement .", "a noble film worthy of attention", "it 's a near-great film , reminiscent of the early frederick wiseman movies like welfare and hospital that left you both aghast and exhilarated at what human beings are capable of ." ], "summary": "marc singer 's documentary about a group of homeless people living beneath the streets of new york city is haunting and uplifting in equal measure .", "id": "18506" }, { "movie": "sweet_smell_of_success", "reviews": [ "its script posses some of the sharpest dialogue ever written , and even if it 's not exactly naturalistic , it 's stylized in the best sense .", "a fizzingly clever big-city satire and deeply strange late noir classic .", "an ambitious and self serving group bent on their own self survival make for a crisp script . lancaster at his larger than life best ... a classic .", "lancaster-curtis saga of manhattan 's amoral media has spark and a wicked bite .", "brilliant performances by burt lancaster and tony curtis , and james wong howe 's glowing black and white photography , are the perfect compliments to the rapid-fire screenplay .", "loose , sleazy , brilliant and hyper-cool .", "a lean , mean amorality tale that still goes down like a cookie laced with arsenic .", "the main incentive to see this movie is its witty , pungent and idiomatic dialogue , such as you never hear on the screen anymore in this age of special-effects illiteracy .", "uses every aspect of filmmaking to perfection .", "its pleasures are almost obscenely abundant .", "sweet smell , which could have been offal , is raised to considerable dramatic heights by intense acting , taut direction -lrb- by alexander mackendrick -rrb- , -lsb- and -rsb- superb camera work -lrb- by james wong howe -rrb- .", "... one of the most lacerating and vicious visions of the predatory urban world in the american cinema ...", "the film is a masterpiece , intelligent hollywood cinema at its best .", "a masterpiece .", "-lsb- video essay -rsb- here lies the defective foundation of the american dream as viewed from an implicitly american viewpoint - bert lancaster 's company produced the film .", "new york never looked as thrillingly sordid as it does in this scabrous masterpiece .", "it all begins with the title . the irony aside , its lightness and alliteration suggest the last breaths of one of the film 's victims .", "a meandering drama about the lure of success and the ignominious aggression of defeat .", "masterful direction and cinematography are shown off in this restored version , with bernstein 's apt jazzy score nailing all the right notes .", "mackendrick 's nighthawk landscape is compellingly , poetically bleak .", "still remarkably pungent .", "cruel and unflinching , this movie is partially responsible for bringing winchell 's career down . excellent cinematography , acting , dialogue , and scoring -- a must see .", "engaging , at times vicious drama w/lancaster as acidic gossip monger , curtis fine as wimpy sidekick .", "james hill 's production , locationed in manhattan , captures the feel of broadway and environs after dark .", "the screen was rarely so dark or cruel .", "with some of the sharpest dialogue ever cut in hollywood , only on the most superficial level is this a movie about gossip and publicity . we 're talking show business . we 're talking america . we 're talking cast-iron classic .", "it 's about hype and , although it was made decades before the word was coined , it still has eye-opening things to convey about the slippery business of celebrity journalism . such is the value of first-hand experience .", "a cruelly cynical take on the seamy side of new york city 's swinging nightclub life .", "excellent drama containing one of tony curtis ' greatest performances .", "sizzling dialogue , incendiary performances .", "lancaster is monumental .", "a true classic . lancaster at top form , curtis is great as his toady . a cynical masterpiece .", "MOV -lrb- 1957 -rrb- is an ascerbic , dynamic and intense film that exposes the diseased under-side of new york city 's glamorous night life , revealing ...", "one of the sharpest and corrosively perceptive films to emerge from hollywood .", "one of those rare films where you remember the names of the characters because you remember them -- as people , as types , as benchmarks .", "captures the sleazy allure of manhattan like no other film ." ], "summary": "MOV boasts a top-notch cast , sharp direction , atmospheric cinematography , and an appropriately jazzy score , making it one of the best noir crime thrillers ever made .", "id": "19162" }, { "movie": "passion_of_the_christ", "reviews": [ "the basic message of christianity -- love your brother -- is obscured under torrents of blood to the point of benumbing the audience .", "gravely intense and the work of a man as deeply committed to his subject as one could hope for or , for that matter , want .", "the MOV is the jesus story that 's been begging to get made since charlie heston kicked off his robes and sandals .", "whether you enjoy the film or not , it is undeniably something that will generate good discussion and that makes it worth checking out .", "it 's almost impossible not to be moved by jim caviezel 's vulnerability as christ , even if the idea that he is no ` mere ' man is never in doubt .", "hey , i do n't believe it literally , but it is a movie , after all -- it 's a great story , too , certainly as compelling as `` dead man walking . ''", "gibson turns the thing into a bloody shock spectacle ; he implicates the viewers like the jews who watched the crucifixion and beatings as entertainment .", "i found the film more numbing than moving , as if the transformation it charted was not from human to divine , but from man to carcass .", "and any power these explicit scenes have is in any case undermined by the absurd tweeness of the final moments .", "it 's a head-bashing experience , by turns exhausting , exhilarating , and infuriating .", "i wanted to be moved . really , i did . a lot . instead , i left cold .", "like a ballet where physical movements are used to show pain , heartache , evil and suffering", "with a pervasive nc-17 level of gore , its simplistic and relentlessly pedantic but effective with its single theme that christ suffered . but where is its spirituality ?", "in the end , one can respect gibson 's high intentions and dedicated work , while remaining spiritually and dramatically unmoved by the result .", "despite controversies swirling around the movie , one can not deny that gibson has made a stunning film , beautifully photographed in contrasting dark and golden hues by caleb deschanel .", "watching it is an act of self-flagellation .", "for a filmmaker who wants to create an adaptation of the story of jesus , mel gibson 's motives seem ironically impure .", "gibson has made an extraordinary , focused movie with blinders on , showing mostly one color -- blood-red -- from the full christian spectrum .", "bloody to the point of gruesome , moving without being inspiring .", "it 's just bad storytelling .", "the director claims he had no intention of making an anti-semitic film and we tend to believe him , in much the same way we believe larry flynt when he says he 's not misogynist .", "gibson has succeeded in making the definitive look at the final 12 hours in the life of jesus , with a movie that is gut-wrenching in both its violence and inhumanity .", "controversy aside , the passion is ultimately a movie -- and a masterful one at that , obviously the work of an extremely talented filmmaker .", "one of the things that happens while you watch a man slowly beaten to death is that the fact of his life is reinforced . this happened , gibson is saying .", "in expressing his own blend of masochism and piety , mel gibson may well have created a jesus uniquely apt for our time : bloodied , tormented , alienated and alone .", "will rightfully be considered a landmark achievement not only for the passionate responses it is causing but because gibson was able to give one of the oldest and best-known stories in literature such contemporary resonance and power .", "one thing is certain : gibson has delivered a film so visceral , so unwavering in his commitment , that it makes most other jesus movies look pale and tepid .", "does one really have to so debase christ 's story in order to make it relevant to today 's audiences ?", "jesus is confronted by king herod of judea who appears to be a boy george impersonator . herod asks jesus for a miracle : can cher please be born 2,000 years earlier ?", "if you want to get offended by a mel gibson movie , nothing is worse than the portrayal of slavery in the patriot . yeah , everyone is a happy free voluntary worker .", "beautiful , violent -- and also funny for all the wrong reasons , and boring .", "the entire event is gut-wrenching , but mel gibson makes a movie that gives you the guts without the wrench . his jesus is a whipping post .", "la conmoci\u00f3n deja paso al rechazo o a la admiraci\u00f3n con que los maquilladores lograron esas heridas en el cuerpo del actor -lrb- lo que se asemeja mucho a la indiferencia -rrb- .", "pretentious cinematography and gritty realism aside , there 's not a whole lot in this torture chamber to be passionate about", "this problem of truth -- how it might be defined , known , or told -- underlies most all of mel gibson 's film .", "when audiences walk out of theaters in stunned silence , i 'm not sure it is for the same reasons director mel gibson wanted .", "`` the passion '' is big , physical , violent and unflinching . it 's unlike any biblical film ever made and it 's impossible to watch it with a trace of passivity .", "-lsb- gibson 's -rsb- film , virtually stripped of jesus 's incandescent views , is little more that a record of one of the thousands of barbarities committed by the romans in judea .", "a high-gloss exploitation picture , obsessed with the death jesus conquered , rather than the life he gave -- and gives .", "this graphic depiction of the crucifixion of christ misses any spiritual meaning to this seismic event .", "instead of being moved by christ 's suffering , or awed by his sacrifice , i felt abused by a filmmaker intent on punishing an audience , for who knows what sins .", "i was moved by the depth of feeling , by the skill of the actors and technicians , by their desire to see this project through no matter what .", "a very dour , pedestrian picture .", "mel gibson 's personal vision of the persecution and death of christ is relentless , brutal ... and brilliant .", "saturated with vengeance , betrayal , and melodrama , mel gibson 's sadistic take on jesus ' final twelve hours screams bloody murder .", "impressive filmmaking -- but it takes a lot of wincing to watch mel gibson 's version of this powerful story .", "even though it is relentlessly intense , at times even deeply moving , the passion ultimately leaves you numb .", "a filmed bloodletting like no other on record , essentially a terribly graphic two-hour torture sequence .", "there are scenes in the passion that will remain forever with those who see it .", "does have its share of very powerful moments , and it boasts some strong performances . whether audience members will be able to concentrate on them amid the ultra-realistic and excruciating violence , however , is questionable .", "gibson makes many of the key scenes work .", "a film of artistic ambition and devotion .", "the cinematic equivalent of a rorschach inkblot : you will probably see in it whatever you choose to see in it .", "religion is always a delicate and personal issue , but great filmmaking is great filmmaking , period .", "viscerally powerful , but if this were a horror film instead of an ` edifying ' religious drama , it would have been sent back for cuts or had an nc-17 slapped on it .", "one can not rely on any critic for this film because a biased opinion lies behind every review .", "mel gibson 's passion , though well-acted , technically impressive and initially moving , is for the most part not beautiful and certainly not ennobling .", "in the gospel according to mel gibson , blood does n't lie . it 's the only truth that exists . which means the agony is the ecstacy in the MOV .", "an unquestionable work of conviction that should outlast the controversy and trigger constructive dialogue for years to come .", "while this is clearly the most controversial film of the year , but i also happen to think it might also be the its most brilliant as well .", "passion might be a courageous , visceral , boldly artistic motion picture , but that it does n't make a very convincing dramatic experience .", "the MOV is something of a masterpiece , terrible to behold , unfit for children , certainly , but very much the work of a director in the throes of his own distinct passion .", "overall this is a remarkably unremarkable film , lacking in subtlety and enshrouded in that depressing sense of catholic guilt which gibson no doubt wrestles with every night .", "gibson dwells on the gory details of laceration -- one whipping after another and another and another -- until it 's the viewer who 's tortured , hurt , defensive , and , finally , numb -lrb- if not driven to retaliate -rrb- .", "there 's no denying gibson 's passion in bringing his vision to the screen , no matter how dodgy his religious beliefs .", "if gibson imagined that this extended detailing of sadism would somehow be inspirational , he needs to be taken off his biblical steroids .", "mel 's rockpile is akin to taking oliver twist -lrb- another well-thumbed literary tome -rrb- and focusing entirely on the scene in which bill sykes bludgeons nancy to death .", "gibson ... seems determined to prove that jesus suffered more than anyone who has ever lived , a tiresomely literal argument at best , an exercise in sadomasochistic bullying at worst .", "mr. gibson has gone to a lot of sweat and expense to make a movie that does n't say much of anything new .", "gibson may have given us the most profitable version of this story ever made , but he 's also given us the most amateurish , absurd , politically suspect and obsessively violent .", "il est ind\u00e9niable que le film est puissant par moment mais ...", "controversy aside , it is dramatically intense , skillfully constructed and often harrowing , in ways that should have an impact on people of any or no particular faith .", "controversy over whether it will inflame anti-semitism guarantees huge audiences , and many people may be profoundly moved . but as a film it is quite bad .", "it leaves one with the impression of a human race so violent it justifies all the fears critics have expressed about potential modern-day reactions to the film .", "the MOV is at once a well-crafted film , a merciless excursion into motion-picture ultraviolence , and a regrettably cramped historical account that stays doggedly on the surface of its overwhelmingly important subject .", "the MOV is so relentlessly focused on the savagery of jesus ' final hours that this film seems to arise less from love than from wrath , and to succeed more in assaulting the spirit than in uplifting it .", "in terms of films based upon outlandish stories , i 'm way more worried about how alfonso cuar\u00f3n is going to handle the next harry potter movie .", "less reverential than razzle-dazzlin ' , more an episode in the history of show business than a religious epiphany .", "the ultimate contradiction ... is that a film about the prince of peace is violent enough to earn an r rating .", "shockingly violent , chock full of scenes drenched in blood , this movie earns its r rating many times over .", "... captivating and provocative in its exquisite spirit . the MOV is an ambitious and visceral undertaking that demands acceptance .", "a two-hour bloodbath .", "this is a movie so singular , so intense , so overwhelming that it simply has to be experienced .", "emotional , violent , extreme and very gory , mel gibson 's controversial the MOV is a difficult and grotesque experience for most viewers .", "if i were a christian , i 'd be appalled to have this primitive and pornographic bloodbath presume to speak for me .", "jesus stumbles under the weight of the cross so many times , you begin to swear the editors are recycling the same footage over and over again .", "it will spare you no mercy .", "... up there with the greatest films of the genre , -lsb- although -rsb- the director 's approach may be somewhat excessive in terms of violence .", "the overriding virtue ... is the film 's conviction in its own material .", "the film 's lack of discretion robs the viewer of his or own conception of christ 's crucifixion . it is an exploitative disservice to `` the greatest story ever told , '' that reduces that illustrious narrative to an extended torture episode .", "with a passionate zeal and the budget to back it , mel gibson has created a religious epic which is equally unique , inspirational , and repellent .", "gibson 's passion is all over this film ... but his resorting to mawkish , superficial tactics blows the tone off-course from time to time .", "extremely violent , and powerful ; for mature teens .", "more sensational than spiritual , this blood-soaked take on the stations of the cross retells the gospels as a horror movie . you ca n't help asking : where has all the love gone ?", "i emerged from the MOV depressed and spiritually bruised .", "all -lsb- gibson has -rsb- done ... is to trade in the hollywood conventions of yesteryear for the crasser , more bloodthirsty conventions of today .", "it 's a shame there is n't a good movie deep down in this excuse for gore and sadism .", "if art is to be measured by how it provokes , the MOV may end up being the closest thing to art we see in our lifetime .", "the richness of the jesus material is diluted to broad , shallow brush strokes ... scant dialogue and ... no plot or character development ... gibson delivers the broadest clich\u00e9s .", "if what you are looking for is an overwrought , hyper-violent reenactment of jesus ' final hours , that is what you will get here , and no more .", "this is the true gibson story version of the death of christ , in all is re-created gory .", "like my reviews for the `` harry potter '' series , my review of `` the MOV '' will come from the perspective of someone who has not read the book .", "takes one of mankind 's key tales of grace and redemption and reduces it to horror .", "this is one of the most powerful and emotional films i have ever seen .", "is gibson trying somehow to shock us into believing ?", "the style and mode are a little too heterogeneous to come together right , even though some images have a pared-down majesty , and the main line of the film is tough .", "gibson se concentra em uma passagem que ignora totalmente a compaix\u0103o e o amor - dois sentimentos preciosos para algu\u00e9m que , de acordo com a b\u00edblia , morreu por nossos pecados .", "gibson 's artistic intentions and interpretation of the gospels have created a film that is both moving and horrifying .", "this is a good film , well-made , well-told and it is clearly a personal triumph for mel gibson .", "the most compelling message of this unflinching , powerful , and haunting movie is that in jesus ' name we are obligated to extend our compassion to victims everywhere .", "i ca n't bring myself to condemn this film ... -lsb- gibson -rsb- made the film he was inspired to make , which included writing , directing , producing , financing and marketing -lsb- it -rsb- himself", "the MOV is a rare thing indeed , then : a work of art that succeeds as a film , as a message , and , yes , as a labor of love .", "as a true reading of the gospels -- the director 's much-vaunted aim -- the film falls abruptly short .", "the passion does n't suffer from the airless , pious airs that drag down most biblical dramas : it has a muscular , pounding energy and lyrical , almost gothic beauty .", "a powerful , wrenching experience that makes all previous films on the subject , from the king of kings -lrb- 1927 -rrb- to jesus christ superstar -lrb- 1973 -rrb- , look like sunday school pageants , and it 's not for the squeamish or the immature .", "preaching to the choir and doing so in shorthand .", "it 's as if gibson is measuring god 's love by the amount of blood he shows on the screen .", "it 's a brutally beautiful -lrb- or would that be beautifully brutal ? -rrb- , unnerving , and frustrating film that will undoubtedly offer up more questions than answers .", "if you come seeking theological subtlety , let alone such modern inventions as psychological depth , you 'll walk away battered and empty-handed .", "intense .", "the buzz is that this film is a life changing experience , and is anti-semitic . i disagree on both counts . it is however , a powerful and effective illustration of john 3:16 .", "if jesus actually received the amount of punishment dished out in this film , he would have been dead three times over before arriving at calvary .", "a high-art snuff film ... an unhealthy , inhuman , pornographic , masochistic torture mechanism .", "... a powerful presentation .", "as a religious experience , the MOV makes a damn fine movie .", "amid the controversy and accusations of excessive violence that surrounds mel gibson 's the MOV lies a good movie .", "retains a real sense of power . its message never wavers , always visible beneath the gore .", "mel gibson 's labor of love about the death of jesus is incredibly labored , recasting his crucifixion in crimson , slo-mo cliches .", "has such anti-semitic possibilities and no upside for anyone but believers in mel 's vision that the execution of christ is more important than his life .", "as a film -- and more importantly , as a document of faith -- it is a dismayingly simplistic , obvious , overbearing waste remarkable only for the quantities of blood it spills .", "it 's not the second coming of christ , but it 's a finely crafted piece of work that should not be missed .", "a big , bold , nightmarishly beautiful film not just about the dawn of the christian faith , but about the awful tendency of human communities -lrb- wherever and whenever in the world they may exist -rrb- toward self-preservation , intolerance and mob rule .", "after all the debate about this film ... what gibson has delivered is his own passionate vision .", "one of the most overpowering experiences i 've ever had in a movie theater , the film is a brutal , blood-soaked plea for compassion and forgiveness in the face of monstrosity .", "a film so narrowly focused as to be inaccessible for all but the devout .", "i kept thinking : when is this going to be over ? this is not an easy movie to watch .", "whereas the words say love , love , love , the sounds and images say hate , hate , hate .", "it 's not an instructive or illuminating experience ... but a visceral and vicious one . -lsb- i -rsb- t 's mel gibson on a bloody pulpit preaching to the converted .", "the movie 's biggest sin lies not in where it chooses to cast blame , but in its bungled attempt at manufacturing what i suppose you 'd have to call an epiphany of excess .", "general jesus christ is reborn , awarded the most earned purple heart in history , and summons his christian soldiers to march forth and fight whatever battles he calls us to .", "as a film for true believers , passion is zealously self-righteous ... in the beginning was the word , and the word was agony .", "blood gore pain !!!!!! wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !", "the power of spectacle overrides spiritual insight .", "` is mel gibson `` wacko ? '' ... you 'd have to be wacked out of your mind to cultivate the desire to create the most realistic depiction of the crucifixion in the history of cinema . '", "from a technical standpoint , the film is impressive . from a narrative or message-bringing standpoint , it left me wanting . and the violence ...", "irrespective of your religious beliefs , mel gibson 's brutal depiction of the most renowned story of sacrifice and love is distressing to the very core .", "the MOV , while not a perfect film , will touch many emotions in those who see it . some people may be offended , while others may be inspired .", "emerging from the job-like endurance test of this film 's unrelenting horror , it 's impossible not to be moved by its visceral impact ...", "how anyone could call gibson 's filmic account anti-semitic is mindboggling in its confused narrow-mindedness .", "unrelentingly anti-semitic , excessively grotesque and overly narrow in its scope", "how you react to it depends mostly on what you take in with you .", "no other film in history has even attempted such a concentrated interpretation of these unimaginable events let alone do so with what i call such reverential explicitness .", "an inspiring film , no matter what your faith .", "it 's a crucifiction .", "despite gibson 's efforts to hide caviezel 's european heritage behind a prosthetic nose and darkened eyes , jesus comes off looking like all other movie depictions-whitewashed .", "an impressive , ultra-violent -- and deeply troubling -- take on jesus ' final hours .", "passion affords exactly the moviegoing experience gibson intended : an appreciation of christ 's sacrifice via an explicit rendering of his suffering .", "a triumphant masterpiece . is gibson this millennium 's saint paul ?", "this most human of tales is sadly lacking humanity .", "sick .", "one of the best films of this middle-aged decade .", "incredibly intense , unflichingly realistic and powerfully moving ... one of the all-time great cinematic achievements ... god bless mel gibson .", "a negative and spiritually underwhelming experience .", "a tormented movie about torment ; loopy , over-reaching and occasionally suspicious . simultaneously , it is a daring artistic endeavour .", "director gibson tends toward populist impulses without much artistry or invention ; he prefers bombardment to poetry .", "mr. gibson has plucked at the rawest of nerves yet i can not blame him . he is expressing himself through the medium of film and using the text of his bible as the basis .", "by giving us the feeling of experiencing jesus ' thoughts , and by making us privy to his prayers , the passion draws us toward christ 's full humanity like no film before .", "easily the most controversial film of the year , gibson 's fil is a visually bold , relentlessly violent epos that suffers from a shallow , undernourished narrative and no characterizations to speak of .", "as a movie , it feels incomplete - yes , it 's incredibly intense and powerful , but i wanted to see a little more about the compassionate man and a little less bloodshed .", "a dramatically powerful statement .", "if this were any other film and any other subject , the passion would have been slapped with an nc-17 rating faster than you can say `` council of nicaea . ''", "it definitely makes the viewer suffer -- but it 's debatable if by itself that 's a truly enlightening contribution to one 's understanding of christ 's message .", "although it 's very good at showing jesus ' suffering , the movie treats him as a prop", "bears the same relation to other biblical epics as a charnel house does to your local deli .", "as a work of cinema , the MOV possesses a majestic beauty within its horror , one that comes most effectively through a tiny , solitary teardrop .", "lost in a labyrinth of stomach-churning pugilism , the spectacle is a hefty cross for audiences to bear .", "the MOV plays like a blend of a political-theology lesson and a snuff film .", "the bottom line is that the MOV is an astonishing cinematic achievement , utterly riveting from start to finish .", "a very specific film made for a very specific audience .", "so obsessively and so graphically bloody-minded that it comes perilously close to the pornography of violence .", "this is a two-hour-and - six-minute snuff movie -- the jesus chainsaw massacre -- that thinks it 's an act of faith .", "strangely remote and uninvolving on both emotional and spiritual levels .", "a gripping , powerful motion picture -- arguably the most forceful depiction of jesus ' death ever to be committed to film .", "the movie is a compendium of tortures that would horrify the regulars at an s&m club .", "a story of betrayal and vindictiveness leading to a mind-numbing gorefest that provokes exhaustion more than it inspires the ` tolerance , love and forgiveness ' which is one of gibson 's stated aims .", "a film about the last hours of christ that is both reverent , but also frighteningly realistic and frequently daring", "if gibson 's central wish was for people to discuss jesus , mission accomplished . if you can manage to disregard the hype , you 'll witness a wonderfully made film .", "whatever demons fueled mel gibson 's longtime passion to mount this work , no redemption is to be found in the one-dimensional result .", "gibson 's obsession with the pain and suffering of jesus , sublime and terrible , does not transubstantiate into spirituality ; rather , the brutality of his film at first repels , then numbs , and finally titillates .", "as a film it is nothing but a long third act with no story and , most importantly , no character development for anyone other than pilate .", "in a world that has lost grasp of the real values in life , the MOV is a timely piece that makes you reflect on the true worth of faith and love .", "gibson has basically taken the greatest story ever told and turned it into a snuff film ... it 's kill bill for the churchgoing crowd .", "watching this is a shocking , grim , harrowing experience . audiences should leave in the spirit of exaltation ; instead , they 're simply exhausted .", "puts us in a situation where we ca n't help but feel jesus 's pain . if only gibson had taken the time to tell more of us why it mattered .", "the MOV is painstakingly true to its source material , neither editorializing nor embellishing upon what is taught each week in thousands upon thousands of churches across the globe .", "it 's tough not to describe without using the word `` powerful . '' for pure cinematic artistry it 's a masterpiece showing man 's inhumanity to man , or in this case , the son of man", "to see the MOV is to feel brutalized .", "poetic filmmaking drawing on -- and continuing -- a long tradition of religious art .", "this is a powerful film .", "it 's too turgid to awe the nonbelievers , too zealous to inspire and often too silly to take seriously .", "the MOV is a tremendous film and if you look at it through those eyes you may believe that too .", "to put so much time , effort and money into something that 's ultimately so lifeless seems like a waste to me .", "il est int\u00e9ressant de voir que le film s ` attarde surtout \u0155 d\u00e9montrer la mesquinerie de l'homme plut\u00f4t que de glorifier le christianisme .", "father forgive them - jesus whipped", "might be mistaken for an instructional video on meat-tenderizing techniques for cannibal chefs . mel 's a muscular christian without a philosophical bone in his head .", "an ambitious , great , and flawed film ... -lsb- it -rsb- reminds us that this man never quit loving us , never quit forgiving his enemies , even as they tore him to shreds .", "to give gibson credit , with the passion he 's passionately striving for art , trying to paint the modern equivalent of a caravaggio canvas on an actor 's body . but in a world engulfed by holy war , it 's one scary picture .", "i do n't know how non-believers will react to this , but for me it was an affirmation and strengthening of my faith .", "whatever else it is -- however flawed we find it -- the MOV is a work of art .", "mel gibson , the lord love him -- and i believe he does , has succeeded in producing the first major motion picture ever that is both spiritually and historically challenging .", "a magnificent story well told ... for most christians the crucifixion has become sort of a clich\u00e9 , something they know happened without really appreciating what agony it was .", "gibson has made a movie for nobody , really , but gibson .", "diminishing returns set in after the first series of beating , but the film is a stunner , a must-see whatever your beliefs .", "blood-soaked pop theology for a doom-laden time , its effect that of a gripping yet reductive paradox : it lifts us downward .", "overall , it 's just another movie , and it can be dismissed with the same short critique we so often apply to other movies : the book was better .", "never dull -- no mean feat , given that it spends two hours telling a story whose end is widely known -- and features performances that range from coarsely effective to phenomenal .", "may have succeeded in exploiting jesus 's death for its most highly pitched emotion and drama . but in the process , for many believers , it may have served only to trivialize and further obscure the story 's most central and sacred mysteries .", "as it plays out , the brutality brings about more numbing revulsion than the revelatory empathy that mel gibson intends .", "gibson places his faith in christ 's suffering , and is determined to make the moviegoer suffer in jesus ' name as well .", "it is difficult to know who would want to see a film this violent .", "a preeminently important cinematic expression of faith -- probably one of the most important religious films of all time .", "this is the most powerful , important and by far the most graphic interpretation of christ 's final hours ever put on film .", "there 's no doubt that jim caviezel was put through the wringer here , and he gives a spiritual performance that 's offset by the physical ordeal he had to endure during the torture scenes and the crucifixion .", "an all-consuming force . it never lets up .", "regardless of how you feel about the movie 's message , you 're certain to leave the movie feeling something about the movie itself .", "powerful and heart-wrenching , gorgeous to look at , and fascinating to contemplate . all issues of religion aside , those components generally result in a film worth seeing .", "it is a film worth seeing and talking about , for better or worse . it gets some things very right , but the violence threatens to overshadow the message .", "gibson has too much belligerence in him to capture the prince of peace at his and our most glorious moment .", "by turning the greatest story ever told into the goriest story ever told , director mel gibson breaks the filmmaking commandment thou shall not overkill .", "for moviegoers who do n't share mel gibson 's religious agenda , it 's nothing but an unpleasant experience .", "the passion is a beautiful film , but an empty one .", "until things get splatter-film bloody and christ starts looking like a jackson pollock painting with exposed ribs , the passion seems inspired less by the holy trinity than by gibson 's other favorite trio , the three stooges .", "if gibson 's use of blood and violence makes his audience squirm in their seats and allows the audience to question his film - then he 's done his job as a filmmaker ...", "this is n't a movie : it 's a theme-park ride for jesus freaks . see the hunks of flesh ripped from jesus ' side ! experience the stations of the cross like never before !", "` the MOV ' invigorates because gibson 's artistic choices have serious theological implications .", "this work of obvious devotion may well be the first spiritual splatter film . it makes gladiator and braveheart -- even friday the 13th -- seem mild by comparison .", "dead languages and horrific violence aside , this is a film everyone should see , whether they hold any religious beliefs or not .", "` bien filmada , mejor actuada y s\u00f3lidamente dirigida . vale la pena todos y cada uno de los centavos de su producci\u00f3n y del costo del boleto de entrada . '", "as a work of devotion and faith , `` the passion '' is a success . as a piece of filmmaking , it is a failure .", "more of a bludgeon of evangelism than a work of art .", "it 's like a bloody renaissance painting come to life . but the dvd is a disappointment .", "those with a spiritually vibrant personal relationship to the story may find it as affirming as it is oppressive .", "a powerful , artistic expression of one of the most pivotal moments in the christian religion .", "... the director spends so much time recounting in minute and realistic detail the agony of christ that he neglects the stronger , spiritual message , of love and kindness .", "una cinta por instantes hermosa , casi siempre demoledora , pero sin duda alguna , profundamente pasional .", "a work that is as horrifying as it is beautiful , as disturbing as it is gratifying , and as powerful as it is controversial .", "the movie gibson has made from his personal obsessions is a sickening death trip , a grimly unilluminating procession of treachery , beatings , blood , and agony .", "serves as a powerful condemnation of any organized religion that aspires to governance or allow clerics to preach contempt and whip sheepish followers into a frenzy .", "-lsb- gibson -rsb- has made a serious , handsome , excruciating film that radiates total commitment .", "-lsb- a -rsb- stunning film , sometimes remarkably moving - at times sublimely beautiful , often sickeningly brutal , but never banal , nor specifically blameful .", "this is one man 's vision of that time and as a movie ... it 's pretty damn good !", "the MOV is powerfully moving and fanatically obtuse in equal doses .", "what graphic sex is to the use of the body in hardcore porno , graphic violence is to destruction of the body of christ in this passion .", "powerful and upsetting .", "mel gibson shows once again that he 's skilled at depicting violence . but you 'd be hard pressed to find evidence of ` tolerance , love and forgiveness ' that the producer-director-co-writer insists he 's trying to communicate .", "using ancient languages , vivid images and visceral violence , gibson has brought new life to one of civilization 's oldest narratives .", "i expected to leave my viewing of the film feeling battered and bruised , but instead i felt very peaceful . seeing the strength required for forgiveness uplifted me .", "jesus christ is remote , a superman among men , and his teardrops shake the earth .", "working with premier cinematographer caleb deschanel , gibson effectively hurls us into christ 's living nightmare , creating a mesmerizing twilight zone that is creepy and utterly unforgettable .", "instead of letting his reverence broaden him , gibson uses his action-movie expertise to reduce the crucifixion to something kinetic , literal and merely tragic .", "a labor of conviction that comes remarkably close to faith-based sadism .", "gibson ultimately seems to be preaching to the choir , rejecting standard storytelling conventions such as introducing his characters , assuming his audience already knows everything he 's about to tell us .", "the extreme violence does not teach a lesson ; it 's an end in itself , more suited to the s&m crowd than to anyone seeking an uplifting sermon on everlasting redemption .", "you may not believe in the events that transpire in the MOV , but it 's hard to deny the grim potency with which they 've been captured .", "` a biblical snuff film '" ], "summary": "the graphic details of jesus ' torture make the movie tough to sit through and obscure whatever message it is trying to convey .", "id": "12891" }, { "movie": "swimming_pool", "reviews": [ "the payoff is so murky that audience members will recognize they have been fooled , but not with what that trick ending actually means .", "tends to stay with you ... for days , weeks even", "you 'll leave entertaining pleasant theories of what just happened , but not feeling bewildered enough for your head to hurt .", "ozon simultaneously manages to make his film lazily sexual and crisply suspenseful .", "ozon even steals from himself ... eventually , -lsb- his -rsb- compulsion to imitate becomes an end in itself , taking his movie in directions it has n't been built to travel .", "one of my favorite films of the summer .", "two parts psychological thriller and one part pretentious french art-house head-scratcher that leaves you mumbling , ` duh . '", "the basis is classic mystery , yes , and that should be respected , but ozon is using the form to arrive at a much deeper character study in a manner that is almost polanski-esque .", "it 's a provocative experience , one that floats peacefully yet makes us wonder what might be lurking beneath the surface .", "an erotic thriller , with an emphasis on eroticism , presumably because ozon could n't come up with real thrills .", "it 's sagnier , a young bardot , who lifts the movie , and rampling , 58 , who gives it nuance , not to mention a nude scene that shows off a body demi moore would envy .", "MOV has the edgy chill of early polanski .", "tricky thriller .", "whether through manipulation or skilled filmmaking , MOV mesmerizes long after the movie is over .", "it 's worth seeing twice just for the privilege of watching rampling and sagnier match each other stroke for stroke .", "with a little sex , some mystery , a little sex , an appealing title and a little sex , france 's MOV has what it takes to become an art house audience magnet .", "a moodily effective thriller that in the end also works as a clever commentary on the creative process .", "ozon means to have perversity speak for him , but in the end , it does n't have a lot to say .", "like other ozon movies , it feels lifeless and freeze-dried -- in the end , it 's more about its own ideas than it is about actual characters .", "... partly about a novelist 's seach for inspiration , but it 's mostly about the sort of inspiration that can come from watching ludivine sagnier stretched under the sun in a barely there bikini .", "this is sophisticated , sultry noir for those who fancy this sort of thing , but then , who does n't ?", "-lsb- ozon -rsb- treats his actresses like ruined objets d'art , fallen older goddesses -lrb- or corruptible youthful ones -rrb- who are just grist for his pop cultural mill .", ". french director francois ozon is a real tease , playing his audience before revealing the final knockout . .", "big-bosomed , small-waisted french actress ludivine sagnier parades topless for more than half of francois ozon 's thriller . surprise is , `` MOV '' is not sexy or thrilling", "bracingly adult and ripe with an ambiguity that will promote coffee-house conversations for hours afterward .", "a titillating and unhurried character drama with all the trappings of a thriller , but with erotiscm substituted for danger driven tension .", "the MOV in the film , as depicted by ozon , is a self-reflexive epicentre ...", "the film is enthralling while it lasts , even if it does n't completely hold together on further reflection .", "a sexy , stylish mystery that thrives on ambiguity .", "rampling and sagnier are superb . the former is in top form with her portrayal of sarah 's metamorphosis , while her co-star is sensually cool as the elusive young woman .", "MOV seduces and annoys .", "MOV is a slick psychological blender with an ending that causes a re-evaluation of everything that preceded it .", "... primarily a movie about the disruptive and empowering effects of female nudity -- which is kinda cool . too bad about the ending .", "a watchable , provocative film .", "MOV is more an exquisite art object than an involving movie . so be it .", "unsure of the correct solution but aware of all the possibilities , the only conclusion i could come to was how i did n't give a hot damn about any of them .", "an elegant , brilliant and rapturous work ... a languid cinematic treatise on the beautiful mystery of creativity that possesses the swirl of an involving dream .", "a taut , psychological tete-\u0155-tete that rivets us and keeps us guessing .", "sex , murder , mystery , psychological drama , vintage rampling , sensuous sagnier , and a summer house in provence -- here ozon has all bases covered .", "visually arousing and perceptive in its sexy cynicism , pool allows one to dip more than just their reluctant toe in the cool and calming turquoise waters ... provocative", "charlotte rampling 's superb performance and the film 's artistic , enigmatic ending will haunt me for a long time to come .", "providing his two favorite actresses with departure roles that have a captivating culmination , ozon 's appreciation of their talents is completely contagious .", "one wishes orzon was less impressed with his cleverness , and had given some thought to how it would actually play for audiences .", "is this a mystery thriller or a very slow comedy ? whatever it is , the two lead actresses make the task of finding out delectable .", "... provoking and stimulating to a fault , a movie that genuinely seems to care about its messages and the people it involves .", "the twist ending is unsatisfying and the daughter 's role underdeveloped -lrb- even if her body is n't -rrb- .", "ozon 's first english-language film is a blend of fantasy and reality that is cleverly constructed and nearly seemless .", "stick around for the surprise finish ; it 's a good one , even if the rest of MOV stays close to the shallow end .", "for a story about the boundlessness of the body and mind , it 's told with an asphyxiating conservatism .", "a dazzling film that plays tricks with your mind .", "unlike hitchcock , who was forced to curtail his fetishes behind the movie code , ozon lets it all hang out .", "an erotic , pate de foie gras-flavored thriller .", "an inconsequential film ... still , there are a lot worst things to do than sit in the dark and admire sagnier 's phenomenal figure .", "ozon blends sexual tension and quirky psychology to great advantage , setting the stage for a series of incidents that speak to the incomprehensible grey between fantasy and reality .", "here 's the art house version of caddyshack , also known as ` the slob versus the snob . '", "MOV is an entertaining act of provocation that lingers in the mind like iridescent fabric : turn it one way and it yields this ; turn it another and it 's a different story .", "if `` under the sand '' was ozon 's take on one of polanski 's psychological dramas and `` 8 women '' his ode to john waters , with `` MOV , '' the director enters claude chabrol territory", "MOV is being positioned as an art-house film but there is absolutely no reason why it could n't play in multiplexes along with t3 or the hulk .", "MOV is surprisingly deep ... giving us that special fun that only the very best movies provide-the pleasure of diving in again and again .", "i loved every inch of this movie .", "in taking one sort of movie and seemingly teasing it into another , the director and his leading ladies have made a lovely argument about where the real mysteries lie in our lives .", "works as a character study and a quiet thriller .", "ozon takes a long time setting up his story , but the interplay between sagnier and rampling is electric .", "well-acted , nicely shot , slick and certainly sexy , MOV may be all foreplay and no climax , but what the heck -- there are worse ways to be teased .", "clever and exceedingly well-acted .", "deftly mixing eroticism , psychology and art , ozon has made a provocative movie while adding another stunning performance to rampling 's collection .", "MOV comes by its ` erotic thriller ' label honestly , not merely because the women are naked , but because they deploy their sexuality in a way that 's crucial to the narrative .", "-lsb- a -rsb- solid , somewhat decadent treat .", "offers an inside-out twist on tv 's murder she wrote .", "a deeply layered murder-mystery that keeps you thinking about it in the hours , and even days .", "at the press conference for MOV , the wondrous ozon is asked `` how many women will you put in your film next time ? '' `` i will think about it '' , he laughs .", "stands as the filmmaker 's most satisfying and contained work to date .", "however elegant and feral the film appears on the surface , it 's constantly betrayed by ozon 's cultural reductivism .", "the 57-year-old charlotte rampling reveals a body that most teens would die for .", "as in chabrol , the plot 's not the thing : what drives MOV is the transformations that take place within its characters . rampling is a pleasure .", "the movie shimmers with sexual energy .", "... sensual and enigmatic", "tiene que ver con eso de la ficci\u00f3n y de ser espectadores , y hasta qu\u00e9 punto creemos lo que se ve en la pantalla como una realidad y no como el antojo de un director de cine .", "-lsb- an -rsb- interesting character study of the two women -lsb- portrayed -rsb- .", "although copious amounts of french nudity constitutes , to some degree , its own reward , MOV is marred by stupor and a fake-as-lee-press-on-nails coda .", "confusing thriller is absolutely not for kids .", "this is a very well directed with a good story , great characters , and involving engrossing performances from charlotte rampling and ludivine sagnier .", "rampling and ozon clearly enjoy working together . rampling relishes psychologically complex roles . ozon respects his leading ladies enough to give them challenges .", "charlotte rampling is engaging in this intriguing little whodunit that seems more intent on exposing internal paranoia than it does on real world murder .", "rampling and sagnier are very good in roles that demand very different things of them , and ozon 's mix of peril and playfulness make for a seductive cinematic diversion .", "MOV is full of nudges and nuance .", "as in her previous ozon film , rampling carries nearly the whole thing .", "shimmering with eroticism and simmering with the tension of unfamiliarity - we never know , right up to the flourish of its end , quite where this film is going .", "MOV is far from a conventional whodunit ; we know ` who , ' but there may be no ` dun . '", "think of it as a box of chocolates , with sagnier being the chocolate-covered cherry . and you know the problem with chocolates : they 're great to eat but they offer no nourishment whatsoever , and afterwards you feel guilty for the indulgence .", "the combination of sunny cinematography and an ominous score creates an interestingly offbeat trouble-in-paradise vibe .", "erotically delicious .", "women will have to explain what happened to the men on the way out , as they 're pushing their spring-loaded eyes back into their sockets .", "a delicious little thriller about an uptight , ill-humored english mystery writer who becomes enmeshed in murder , MOV is at once comical , contrary , resourceful and ambiguous .", "the narrative logic of MOV slips through our hands like cool water , shimmery and light-dappled , leaving behind the pleasures of summer heat and goose bumps .", "works well enough as a stylish bit of titillation as well as a showcase for its two marvelous actresses .", "whether the movie leaves you confused or angry , you will be stimulated to long discussion afterward . how often does that happen these days ?", "a brace of superb performances elevates french writer-director francois ozon 's first english-language movie .", "MOV is a lark of a thriller , and a mesmerizing one at that .", "sensuous and deceptive .", "the suspenseful set-up never pays off , but rampling continues the impressive collaboration with ozon that began with under the sand in 2000 .", "rampling 's stuffy performance is fine , but it 's sagnier 's sexually charged , emotionally messed-up turn that makes this tale a juicy one .", "a mesmerizing and imaginative psychological thriller about the delights that can come when we explore aspects of ourselves that we have previously ignored or covered up .", "-lsb- the tension -rsb- grows by increments , until you realize the movie , in its quiet way , has you snared entirely .", "a sexy tease .", "fran\u00e7ois ozon 's sexy but grimly pedestrian `` MOV '' is as obvious as it is uninspired .", "like a good summer book , MOV may not be weighty with profound issues . but it 's a heck of a fun read .", "we float lazily for much of the movie in familiar , seemingly shallow waters . just as we get comfortable , we feel the bottom drop away and paddle frantically to get our bearings .", "the story occasionally wanders , but MOV is definitely worth a dip .", "nudity and intelligent musings : what more could you ask for ?", "rampling is at the top of her game here .", "ozon takes us for a dip into a MOV that is as tempting as it is out of reach for those who prefer diving into deeper water .", "a deft , straightforward character study with an ozon twist", "a delectable and daring psychological drama .", "this movie shares with under the sand , ozon 's previous collaboration with rampling , a sense of mystery and languid eroticism .", "mr. ozon 's first english-language film , is simultaneously a thoroughly mannered , mischievously artificial confection and an acute piece of psychological realism .", "MOV smolders with held-back eroticism and brain-teasing enigmas .", "this is the first film ozon has shot in english , and his attempt to explain sarah may be a bid to soften her and help the film 's commercial viability . luckily for him , his actress stays in character .", "what had been character-driven drama becomes plot-driven and gimmicky , undermining all of the promise of the first half of the film .", "it 's visually interesting and demands you leave the theatre talking about what just happened .", "if the payoff does n't live up to the set-up , ozon 's latest remains an intriguing , fascinatingly unpolished film .", "MOV is as lulling as a dead man 's float , but you come up for air realizing there 's no deep end .", "a fine sunlit noir , oozing sensuality and menace .", "take a dip -- the water 's fine .", "had ozon stayed with his mid - film story , he would have had one of the year 's best films on his hands .", "director francois ozon fabricates an engrossing mystery thriller by throwing disparate samples of the female gender together and finding a way to make the mixture more explosive than forcing oil and water to go into solution .", "rampling and sagnier play women for whom danger means different , opposing things , women who become unlikely allies in a tidy little mystery . inspector durvell -- and alfred hitchcock -- would approve .", "messy and inconclusive as a mystery thriller .", "refreshing and bracing but increasingly murky the longer you stay in the water ...", "... it 's really a shame that the movie becomes as silly as it does .", "the dangerous byplay between rampling and sagnier gives MOV a surprising depth .", "a well-acted film that examines the creative process in a fairly crafty manner .", "MOV offers something few other movies this summer can match : a dreamy , intoxicating sensuality .", "shares a heightened reality with -lsb- ozon 's -rsb- sugar-coated musical mystery 8 women ." ], "summary": "a sensual thriller with two engaging performers demanding our undivided attention .", "id": "15321" }, { "movie": "princess_diaries_2_royal_engagement", "reviews": [ "would succeed with the pre-teen set ; nothing here for adults .", "either marshall is tone deaf to punch lines or he thinks audiences are , for nearly every gag ... gets underscored at least twice .", "lazily plotted bachelorette for tweens .", "it 's the movie equivalent of a sticker scrapbook filled with rainbows and unicorns , featuring guaranteed girl-pleasers like a princess , a romance and a slumber party .", "there 's no spark of life in the story ; nothing that will charm kids and their parents .", "lumpish excuse for a contemporary fairy tale .", "this princess falters before getting to the altar . once that near-magical event happens -lrb- especially , if you 're a little girl -rrb- , the kingdom is enchanted once again .", "a prime example of the `` sequel slump ''", "it delivers the same bland adolescent fluff and feel-good family values its predecessor provided ... this could get interesting -- but it does n't , not really .", "blows through the better stuff quickly and settles into a routine romance .", "fans of the first princess diaries will find enough laughs and diamonds in the rough to sustain them .", "definitely appealed to my inner 12-year-old self .", "sometimes charming , sometimes a tad too silly and all the time predictable , princess diaries 2 gives you what you 'd expect and does n't take many chances besides allowing for the possibility that a princess might be okay without a husband .", "panders to the worst traits in the target audience of spoiled third-grade girls .", "marshall , working with a lousy script by shonda rhimes , amazing for its lack of wit , has mind-numbing tackiness oozing out of every frame here .", "bland and canned , the sequel disappoints repeatedly , not least in its uses of the first film 's energetic supporting players .", "despite all the excessive overlays of set-design , costuming and sugary sweet sappiness , this sequel is a dead artifact .", "obviousness is what does the princess diaries 2 in . everything in this plot marches along to a prefabricated beat .", "even the long-awaited sound of music coming from julie andrews is uninspiring .", "being neither 12 years old nor endowed with x chromosomes , all that held my attention was wondering what in the holy underwear paul williams was doing up there .", "unlikely to appeal to anyone , regardless of their thoughts on the first film .", "a chocolate-box sequel whose rose-tinted view of constitutional monarchy will provoke hoots of derision this side of the pond .", "saddled with the sort of dialogue that would fell a von trapp .", "-lsb- the film -rsb- runs an insufferable two hours , leisurely chugging toward an ending most of the audience will have predicted 15 minutes in .", "the princess diaries 2 : royal engagement is unapologetically aimed towards young girls , making this review virtually moot .", "the larger message -- that you should marry for the right reasons only when you 're ready -- is one everyone can applaud .", "was there a point of a sequel to a movie that was just decent after all ?", "a fun romp for girls of all ages .", "constantly opts for contrived cheesiness , slathering on the cuteness with a trowel .", "if you are a prepubescent girl with a five-year old intellect , this is a smash hit . if you 're not , bring a good book .", "though the picture is often trite and occasionally exasperating , the leading ladies give it a spoonful of sugar and a hint of enchantment .", "-lsb- it 's -rsb- unfair to allow grown-ups to wander into this alleged comedy without letting them know a few things first . one , that small children will be bored . two , that they will be bored . three : that they will be bored . four : zzzzzzzzzzz ...", "starts out rather awkwardly but succeeds almost in spite of itself .", "all is disney and cute and up .", "offers enough glossy good cheer to appeal to everyone .", "the movie is undeniably cute . but it 's also often a gooey mess , with a plot that manages to be both wearisome and preposterous -lrb- to grown-ups , that is -rrb- .", "so lame .", "it 's an 8-year-old girl 's fantasy of adulthood , right down to the purple-and-scarlet uniforms worn by the genovian national guard .", "a cheesy-looking sequel to 2001 's sleeper hit that lacks anything resembling genuine charm , wit , or heart .", "like the first film , this offers contrived preteen wish fulfillment with greeting-card sentiment and simplicity .", "-lsb- the movie tries -rsb- too slavishly to duplicate the original without taking it in any new directions .", "princess diaries 2 has plenty of returning cast members and the same competent if bland direction . yet why does it feel like an infomercial for the soundtrack ?", "the film had a goofy sense of humor , some deft casting ... and , best of all , a genuinely charming , star-making performance by anne hathaway in the lead role .", "mia is still better suited to the sensibilities of 5 year old girls than anyone else .", "its royal claim is dubious , and if i were allowed to make proclamations , and i ca n't understand why i ca n't , i 'd have to proclaim it seriously unfunny .", "princess diaries 2 charts the selfish quest of a 21-year-old american to have-it-all .", "there 's not enough story in it to fill a shoebox .", "too blandly insubstantial to expand its appeal beyond its target demographic .", "we all love a good fairy tale , but the enchantment is missing in this predictable sequel .", "good-natured but overstuffed .", "tiresomely plot-driven and unnecessarily drawn-out , royal engagement is the prim and proper cousin to its comparatively anarchic predecessor .", "the real treat , though , is seeing anne hathaway come into her own as an actress . able to play both drama and broad comedy , she really carries the film on her shoulders .", "it 's not the sweet gem the original film was . but it 's still a nice shiny bauble of a movie .", "gentle fun .", "there 's perhaps 60 or 70 minutes ' worth of material here at best . however , that has n't stopped marshall and the screenwriters from padding it out with nonsensical , often painfully unfunny attempts at humor .", "like the first movie , princess diaries 2 relies primarily on the chemistry and screen appeal of andrews and hathaway to elevate the storytelling above the level of mush .", "the problem with this sequel , unlike , say , spider-man 2 or x2 : x-men united , is that no one was interested in making a better film .", "young girls will go bananas over this . the parents however , will find themselves quickly disengaged .", "the film 's generic feminism pales beside its bloated sense of privilege , only underlined by a nonstop cabaret of sideshow acts .", "may have no objectionable material parents will find offensive for children , but just about every viewer will be offended by the patronizing hooey stuffed down their throat .", "it 's a spoonful of julie andrews that helps the melodramatics go down", "contradicts and betrays its previously positive messages about feminine independence by making mia settle for a man she loves only for his looks", "when it 's not annoying , it 's cloying , and in both cases is so acutely irritating that one longs for the passive delights of mere tedium", "an improvement over its inelegant original .", "while there 's nothing in princess diaries 2 to offend your eyes or ears , there 's plenty to insult your intelligence .", "the princess diaries 2 : royal engagement picks up right where the 2001 hit original left off -- not only in its story line , but in its appeal to young girls .", "too squeaky clean to be offensive but far too long to be entertaining .", "a number of the goofy set pieces fall flat but tweens should be too busy swooning at midnight horse rides and bling-bling walk-in wardrobes to notice .", "ought to charm its loyal subjects , or at least their less demanding little sisters .", "hathaway makes it all seem more palatable than it really is , and the presence of julie andrews does n't hurt either , lending the movie a regal grace it otherwise does n't deserve .", "the princess diaries 2 may not be quite fit for royalty , but it does n't make viewers feel as if they 've been sent to a dungeon either .", "still going strong at the respective ages of 69 and 68 , director garry marshall and his singing co-star julie andrews are the true royal couple of this straightforward sequel .", "it 's hollywood hokum at its most glamorous and effective .", "a royal pain .", "ardent fans of the first film will be royally disappointed in princess diaries 2 : royal engagement .", "if you only have one month to live - go see this movie -lrb- because every minute will seem like an eternity -rrb- .", "a corny , dumbed down fairytale that garners pre-teen laughs from gags involving a disapproving poodle and a gay fashionista with a penchant for avant-garde hair .", "who greenlit this lame script ? and why ?", "does n't measure up even to its mediocre predecessor ; it 's a shallow , predictable effort that evaporates as soon as the images hit the screen .", "royal engagement -lrb- the title alone suggests a `` wedding '' installment can not be far behind -rrb- is a plebeian affair that is unlikely to court any new fans", "princess diaries 2 gives you plenty of reasons to hate it ... however , the charming lead actors save the film from becoming dreadful .", "` runaway bride ' moved from rural maryland to the mock-european setting of genovia ... it 's a triple-deluxe marshmallow sundae of a movie , and that 's exactly as it should be .", "director garry marshall continues his reign as enemy of women ... with his depiction of mia ... as a naive child ...", "the entire exercise is about ` fun , ' of course , but marshall and co. are so intent on shoving it down our throats that the first instinct is to rebel and be grouchy .", "this movie is so intent on going nowhere that it introduces new characters just to give them nothing to do .", "scenes end abruptly , laughs are as rare as yetis , and the overarching question seems to be : can we turn this into a franchise ?", "simple romantic fluff that at least does n't shortchange its target audience in the usual condescending manner .", "toy tiaras for orphans ! -lrb- the first one 's always free -rrb- ... another day , another dollar for disney 's lucrative business of breeding...ever-longing dream princesses .", "follow the fun in this excellent sequel that i liked better than the original .", "dear diary : mia 's return engagement is anything but engaging .", "-lsb- a -rsb- needless but charming sequel .", "sadly , the film leaves you with the feeling this was done just for the money this sequel would possibly bring .", "this threadbare sequel takes a page from such revisionist fairy tales as shrek and ella enchanted , movies that assume we 've grown so weary of the same old cinderella story that they go out of their way to invert the formula .", "sure , the characters are very basic , the situation has been seen before and you can practically write the script from frame one . but that does n't stop it from working .", "i admit , i 'm more or less hardwired to dislike this movie , but even by garry marshall 's abysmally low standards , there is n't much to recommend the princess diaries 2 .", "the theme song and spirit was diana ross ' i 'm coming out . this time , the theme is more like i 'm running out . of ideas .", "made for all young girls who 've ever had a princess fantasy . the charm of the cast keeps it mildly entertaining -lrb- or at least tolerable -rrb- for anyone else who tags along .", "you shed a tear that andrews ' good will has been so horribly misspent on this disneyfied schlock .", "this tepid sequel is a compelling argument for royal family planning .", "the princess diaries 2 combines a classic storybook scenario , in which the former ugly duckling refines her swan standing , with the usual self-help uplift .", "with the chemistry between anne hathaway and julie andrews he discovered in the first film , marshall would have needed superhuman effort to screw up their appeal .", "the film is like a homage to the cliches and obligatory stereotypes of its genre .", "anne hathaway and julie andrews again star and garry marshall returns as director ; the only things missing are a script , a pulse , and a reason why .", "a movie that proves fairy tales can come true ... twice .", "a movie with the appeal of a book of paper dolls ." ], "summary": "anne hathaway and julie andrews bring charm and elegance to the movie , but there 's not enough material for them to work with in this sequel .", "id": "9454" }, { "movie": "1170009-conversations_with_god", "reviews": [ "resembles a vanity project that looks as though every frame was submitted by producer-director simon to mr. walsch for his approval .", "the facial hair that actor henry czerny is forced to wear in MOV is ludicrous , even laughable -- as is much of this film .", "the film is professionally mounted , smoothly constructed and carried with ease by czerny 's assured performance .", "a coda after the closing credits , encouraging divine dialogues in general , does little to dispel the hagiographic aftertaste .", "a terminally muddled movie , uncertain as to whether it 's promoting neale , god , mammon , putnam books or the capitalist exploitation of spiritual need .", "an amateurishly assembled movie-of-the - week-calibre feature with little dramatic energy for the depiction of a life-changing epiphany .", "the cinematography has all the flair and depth of your average episode of `` yes , dear '' ; the score is a giggle-inducing juggernaut of obviousness ; eric delabarre 's script contains virtually no believable dialogue ; and stephen simons ' direction carries the s", "... boils down to the assertion that god is that voice in your head , a fairly innocent concept until god starts telling you to do something wrong .", "although stephen simon 's film has the mawkish trappings of an inspirational tale , its unseemly emphasis on monetary matters makes walsch seem less interested in the spiritual possibilities of his celestial networking skills than their financial benefits .", "b movie w / good heart . not everyone will buy into the spirituality dogma , i 'm not sure i do . but , there is a definite need for all of us to take a deeper look into our souls .", "it 's an agreeable enough tale right up until god butts in and starts talking ; even if you can swallow the premise , it is n't particularly cinematic to watch a guy endlessly scribbling on legal pads .", "what 's most glaringly missing in this self-promotional marketing tool is , of all things , god , who gets only a bit role as walsch 's muse in a few scenes . he really oughta fire his agent .", "the film treats its subject to a hagiography rather than a dramatization .", "the story of walsch 's travails never strains credulity , though helmer simon 's predilection for spiritual vistas with light breaking through clouds , arrested close-ups and endless long dissolves often skirts kitsch .", "bomides of the most banal sort ... if you do n't already belong to the choir , the preaching is n't likely to make much of an impression .", "corny and harmless .", "what walsch 's message ultimately amounts to is for theologians and consumers to decide , but this uninspired presentation certainly drains it of some mystery and risks turning his writings into the ultimate self-help guide .", "a conversation with god should be inspirational and moving , but this conversation loses some of the magnificence and glory when it 's channeled through this very ordinary movie .", "simon has made a garish , lumpy , melodramatic and altogether unconvincing film about a man hitting bottom and then hearing a voice that helps him regain a place in the world -lrb- and a pretty rich place , at that -rrb- .", "this film adaptation of neale donald walsch 's best-selling book series plays more like an infomercial than a thoughtful exploration of religious issues .", "what he does want , according to walsch , is for us to have jobs we really like , and to make money . lots of money .", "there 's nothing particularly objectionable about the film -lrb- other than its inert movie-of-the-week structure -rrb- until walsch takes his god-spokesman role too far in the final act .", "me : i 'm a little embarrassed to say this , god , since you 're featured prominently ... i do n't really recommend this film . god : -lrb- sigh -rrb- just between you and me , if i were in line at the multiplex i 'd buy a ticket for scorsese 's the departed myself .", "the film has nuggets here and there , which hint of something more , but all we get are situation and opaque , one-dimensional characters .", "what is unclear -lrb- to me , at least -rrb- is the process by which walsch answered ` yes ' to god 's question and suddenly became a writer , doing what appears to be automatic writing of his first book .", "the ` god ' in MOV acts like a psychotherapist and talks in the buzz-phrases of self-help speak .", "MOV . nice work if you can get it , and you can get it if you try .", "it 's just a depressing parable about a fellow who sinks lower and lower in life until he figures out a nebulous new way to sell god to the masses .", "the movie claims the ` god inside me ' concept is rooted in compassion , but it plays like nondenominational narcissism to me .", "spirituality is big business , especially on the printed page , but in movies we like the big message in the form of metaphor or allegory rather than a hammer over the head .", "it may appeal to those who get teary eyed over hallmark cards , but will bore anyone who views religion with passion and maturity .", "guess it 's comforting to believe that god might make contact in even the blandest of conditions . but i ca n't see this movie meaning much to any but the already converted .", "watching czerny 's version of walsch struggle , it 's hard not to connect with him , even if you do n't connect with his message .", "one of walsch 's precepts is that you should never make a living doing something you hate . if i 'd known that , i might not have felt obliged to sit through every excruciating minute of this sanctimonious infomercial .", "i do n't doubt that walsch 's book has touched people . i do n't even question whether he actually spoke to god . i just wish the movie itself shared some of his miraculous message with audiences .", "writer eric delabarre and director stephen simon deliver walsch 's apotheosis without any trace of irony . but their treatment of his misfortunes has some of the ring of truth , even though the movie lingers far too long over its own epiphanies .", "if god did start speaking to some random homeless guy , would n't he come up with some better material ?", "MOV is a bad film about good things that many people will find enlightening . its message is admirable , its filmmaking as bland as a communion wafer .", "god , if you exist , why do you keep letting morons like walsch get rich ?", "someone advises at one point that dreams do n't have deadlines , and yet the famous cover jacket of waslch 's books could n't flash on the screen fast enough .", "a hackneyed , melodramatic travesty is certainly to be expected from the cinematic rendering of neale donald walsch 's simplistic , best-selling self-help tomes .", "MOV is not a movie ; it 's a brand extension .", "it 's inspiring to see how walsch conquered the odds , but at times MOV feels like a subliminal advertisement for the book .", "ok , lord ... for starters , since when do you talk like dr. phil ?", "for those of us who want to know who this guy really is , what he 's about , where he came from , the film is as vague as the voice walsch hears ." ], "summary": "at some point in the conversation , god must have asked for a subtler , deeper film .", "id": "357424997" }, { "movie": "antman", "reviews": [ "paul rudd rules .", "here comes ant-man , bringing all the surprise and joy we got when we wandered into the first iron man or guardians of the galaxy . and fun ! yes , fun .", "... fails to have enough fun with its one unique element : the sense of scale .", "the film has a nice mix of action , drama and comedy , aided by a very effective villain , darren cross -lrb- corey stoll of ` non-stop ' -rrb- who is a lot like the evil corporate character that jeff bridges played in ` iron man . '", "at the end of the day ant-man ranks as one of the franchise 's better efforts", "the most typical film yet made in the now 12-picture marvel cinematic universe . it is up to the individual viewer to decide if that 's a compliment or a vicious & lacerating criticism .", "extracts from the disney attractions are dreadful but personality wins the day in this light duty superhero tale .", "next to guardians of the galaxy , ant-man is easily the most enjoyable , unashamedly fun and least pretentious superhero film to emerge from the computer-generated clutter of the marvel movie universe .", "ant-man symbolises american accomplishment . it is about people transcending the physical limitations of the human body and it is also a comedy variation on the political idea that the smallest person can change the world .", "treads the line between the funny and the exciting with notable dexterity", "a movie that feels like it came off an assembly line , which makes it that much stranger when it keeps attempting comedy . aw , look , the widget has jokes !", "although ant-man is superficially shackled to the necessities of the mcu , it 's snappier , lighter , and sharper than marvel 's more overblown films of late .", "the movie 's almost self-deprecatory sense of tongue-in-cheek humility is matched by the fact that all the pleasures it affords are very small indeed .", "an enjoyable , intermittently inspired effects-driven comedy and a welcome antidote to the over-burdened world-saving that seems to define big-screen superhero stories .", "not only one of the more entertainingly human fantasies to come out of the studio , but it also defies the bedrock fanboy aesthetic that you do n't want to merely watch the superhero-you want to be the superhero .", "yawn .", "it 's `` the incredible shrinking man '' via `` them '' crossed with `` toy story '' set in a super hero world .", "marvel has n't made a movie this fun - this bright , this charming , this joyful -- since the first iron man , in which robert downey jr. 's entitled smirk was its most lethal weapon .", "... it 's understandable why edgar wright might have wanted to keep it insulated ... - that reed manages to make it feel that way most of the time even when it is n't is a deft feat indeed .", "just another run-of-the-mill marvel origin story that surprises with bursts of flair and humor , as if remnants from wright and cornish 's script managed to fight their way into the final cut .", "marvel delivers once again ... it 'd be nice to see more -lrb- story -rrb- innovation before it becomes too obvious the same plot structure keeps getting beautiful new coats of paint .", "with a lighter delivery coming with plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor , `` ant-man '' plays friendlier and more fun than the darker slate of superhero movies coming down the pike .", "ant-man is a lark . it 's a lighthearted , human-scaled matinee adventure that feels like an antidote to this summer 's dour avengers : age of ultron and its droning marathon of destruction .", "a formidable character with high stakes and global consequences , partly by rooting it firmly in a post-avengers world .", "it 's difficult to shake the sense that the film was assembled hurriedly and somewhat haphazardly . which , from all available evidence , is exactly what happened .", "just in time , the first time ant-man shrinks down to ant size , it 's such a wonder of marvelous cgi magic that everyone in the theater wakes up like an alarm has gone off .", "it 's certainly competent and amusing when need be , but not much more than that .", "after the overkill of avengers : age of ultron , it 's nice to see marvel return to a comparatively small-scale effort -- in more ways than one .", "is it a winner ? the answer 's yes , but only if you consider not losing to be winning .", "this is the sort of movie where you see the effort and say , thank god .", "this acceptably diverting superhero outing keeps threatening to break free and become something special , but in the end , there 's just too much at stake . and that 's a shame , especially for paul rudd fans .", "ant-man is thematically thin , but it uses its small size to its advantage , crafting a winning comic adventure with spellbinding special effects .", "a film that will surely be popular , given marvel 's marketing might , but one that 's woefully short on coherence and originality .", "rudd is ideal for ant-man 's aw-shucks , i 'm not into this hero business playfulness . he gleefully riffs on it .", "with its small-scale action and tongue-in-cheek irreverence , ant-man is a welcome relief from the large-scale destruction and save-the-universe shenanigans of recent superhero movies .", "one of the summer 's most entertaining ... one of only a handful of comic-book movies to transcend the limits of that increasingly cookie-cutter genre .", "extremely likable , with a few moments of proper wonder .", "fast , fun-packed -lrb- but never frivolous -rrb- and riotously , raucously enjoyable .", "when your most memorable character turns out to be thomas the tank engine , featured in two hilarious scenes , you know your picture about a tiny superhero has big , big problems .", "like `` guardians of the galaxy , '' last year 's off-brand marvel hit , `` ant-man '' dabbles in the bright , playful colors of the superhero spectrum , reveling in moments of cartoonish whimsy and smirky humor .", "glides us over trouble spots in tone and pacing . the little bastard from marvel 's second-tier gets the job done .", "for the comic book geeks , this is manna from cinematic heaven . as for the rest of us , this a lesser but fun effort .", "it chugs along happily enough , but never kicks into the higher gear you keep waiting -lrb- and hoping -rrb- for .", "to find a smarter bug-man saga , you 'd have to go back to `` the metamorphosis . ''", "rudd acquits himself well in his superhero debut , and the finished product is marvel on training wheels , an introduction into the superhero universe for the youngest moviegoers ...", "`` ant-man '' is proof that pretty good things come in small packages .", "macro-marvel ... wisely marketed at the small fry . it 's closer to ` antz ' than the mutant radioactive variety -lrb- in ` them ! ' -rrb- .", "the film is transcendental-meditation low-key and just too damned nice .", "not so f-ant-astic , then , just a little ant-iclimatic .", "the balance is just right : hanging a lantern on the silly stuff but not dwelling on it for too long , while making sure the plot feels high-stakes and the characters believable .", "fast-paced , character-based , and appreciably energetic .", "what , if anything , holds `` ant-man '' together ? first , paul rudd , who is laughably unheroic , and has the grace to know as much ...", "this is a film that never loses sight of its title character , even when that character literally falls between the cracks .", "neither exciting action movie nor exuberantly silly comedy in the vein of guardians , ant-man is mildly amusing but frankly a little dull ; essential viewing only for marvel completists ...", "one could take a magnifying glass to `` ant-man , '' but the results would be disastrous . this is a superhero movie to be enjoyed in the moment .", "brisk humour , keenly felt dramatic stakes , and invention over scale . you know : small pleasures .", "a ridiculous , overacted , confusing and too talky but audience friendly comic book thriller from marvel comics .", "a rapid-fire superhero adventure , ` ant-man ' earns a place alongside marvel studios ' other superhero movies .", "ant-man is the first marvel film - and the first of this summer 's pixels-go-kablooey time-wasters - to get better as it goes .", "-lsb- snapping -rsb- from big to small to big to small , special effects transform rudd into a micro-bruce lee . he appears to be having a blast . i know i was .", "one of the few marvel superheroes you 'd happily take down the pub .", "ant-man cares more about setting up the future than addressing the present , and for that , paul rudd 's best efforts as the wise-cracking insect companion are overshadowed by what 's to come .", "poking fun at itself while still treating it 's subject matter with respect is no easy task , but the stars handle it magnificently . `` ant-man '' is one of the most unexpectedly fun rides you can have in the mcu ... or anywhere else for that matter .", "the tie-ins with the mcu are abundant but we never feel like `` ant-man '' is leaning on it 's big brothers too much ; as a stand-alone movie this is the very reason i go to the theater at all : great action , big laughs and entertaining as hell .", "if you can hang in there an hour and a half , this latest marvel installment does , finally , deliver . but why do we have to wait so long ?", "a looser , funnier and lower-stakes story than marvel 's typical world-ending spectacles .", "certainly someone with more action experience could do justice to the character 's flexibility and sense of honor . in reed 's hands , `` ant-man '' feels about as small as its main character .", "` ant-man starts weak , but finishes strong . what starts as a drizzle becomes a hurricane of action and special effects as ` ant-man ' kicks into high gear during its second half .", "ant-man is n't so much watching , as living through weekend at bernie 's . peyton reed and co. come and parade the soulless and lifeless corpse of an edgar wright film .", "the ant-man movie is nonstop exposition up until the third act , so about 90 minutes . what fan of anything would want a whole movie explaining how it works ? you want to see it in action , not spend the whole movie trying to convince nonbelievers .", "from the bongo-heavy heist music , to the deft sight gags , to little details like the scratches scott lang leaves while he 's tiny , there 's no shortage of great stuff to see and enjoy - no magnifying glass required .", "ant-man fits neatly into the overall marvel formula , even though it follows the beats of a traditional heist movie .", "we 've had so many superhero movies in the last decade that it 's amazing one can still feel surprising . ant-man does . in that sense , it 's a triumph .", "you walk in with no expectations and leave satisfied . -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "in the end , ant-man is a film that entertains , thrills and closes phase 2 of the mcu in a dignified way . -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "`` it feels like the lead up to yellowjacket was all cut out . i hope that 's the case . honestly , i expected him to say ` mwahaha ' at one point . ''", "ant-man just is n't that great an idea and the film exists only because the marvel machine is working so remorselessly through its massive back catalogue .", "while boasting all the dazzling special effects we 've come to expect from the iron man , captain america and thor series , this is marvel in modest form - and small turns out to be beautiful .", "in its medium-stupid and mismanaged fashion it 's not so awful .", "ant-man 's unlikely charm is just enough to stop it from being squished at the cinematic picnic .", "when it 's on its game , ant-man does some of the best stuff ever in a marvel movie .", "as it dutifully marches toward its special-effects-driven conclusion , ant-man has enough charm to be engaging if not particularly memorable once the end credits roll", "the film is n't terrible but it makes earlier marvel outings look like masterpieces . there 's hardly a trope in it you have n't seen before , and done with far greater flair . it feels like making a mountain out of an anthill .", "when the essence of a story is shrinking -lrb- and enlarging -rrb- , the computer-generated effects department had better be on top form , and here , predictably , they are .", "the best thing about `` ant-man '' is that , for much of its running time , it does n't seem like a marvel comics superhero movie . the worst thing about it is that it eventually does .", "funnier than trainwreck and far better-told than avengers : age of ultron , as most movies are .", "the finale is something else - a symphony of comedy and action mayhem that outclasses every single second that comes before it . nothing else in the movie even comes close .", "it 's delightful and almost miraculous the way this movie manages to work as a comic heist picture on a huge scale , and with a comic science-fiction picture blended into it ... while managing to cohere to the whole , you know , marvel thing .", "with its playful use of scale , ant-man drops a dollop of lewis carroll whimsy on the usual clashes of good and evil .", "ant-man is an entertaining blend of a superhero origin story and a caper film , the funniest and most grounded marvel movie to date .", "for a small movie , `` ant-man '' has a lot going on . rudd makes it work .", "not just one of the more entertaining marvel movies - infinitely better than joss whedon 's overstuffed avengers : age of ultron - but a genuinely fun and clever deconstruction of the genre , too .", "` ant-man ' will appeal mostly to ant-people . translated : children . factor in fans of paul rudd and marvel superheroes , and you could have a box office community picnic .", "yes , it 's fine , but not much more than that . which is good news for marvel , which must have wondered if it had an ant problem .", "guaranteed to feature 2015 's best climactic battle atop a train set -- pardon the terrible pun -- ` ant-man ' is freaking f-ant-astic fun and the year 's most pleasant surprise .", "taking itself seriously without being too serious , the film proves fun all the same , confirming that it is possible to side with a superhero who is the size of a fingertip without once feeling the need to laugh at him .", "there 's a decent amount of fun to be had ... but considering marvel 's stellar track record and the comedic wonderfulness of its star , paul rudd , ant-man is more than a little disappointing .", "not the marvel misfire that fans of the titular tiny guy might have expected , but it 's still lumpy and trifling .", "tou do n't need to know the avengers from the justice league to enjoy this weird romp starring paul rudd as scott lang , a burglar with a heart of gold .", "i wish the film had gone even further into loopiness . like ant-man , the film , directed by peyton reed , comes in two sizes -- it 's sometimes big on laughs but often small on risk-taking .", "in the end , it may be more comedy than grand superhero epic , but marvel and disney should still be laughing all the way to the bank .", "with the likable paul rudd buffed up to portray scott lang , former cat burglar-turned-superhero , `` ant-man '' has a self-deprecating and witty edge .", "ranks , on every front , as one of the best from marvel 's universe !", "these mini superheroes and villains are as serious as captain america is earnest , which brings the funny when they 're shown to scale .", "it 's enjoyable enough . the current critical buzz , about how it starts slow but ends strong , unlike so many other superhero-origin films , is relativism gone slightly mad .", "ant-man is a pleasant surprise for this summer and one of the best films from marvel and disney . -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "the combination of a charismatic lead , a solid supporting cast , and the debut and dramatization of a new -lrb- to moviegoers -rrb- superpower -lrb- or two -rrb- has proved a winning formula for marvel studios for the last , oh , 10 or so films now , and it 's no different here .", "a formulaic marvel superhero origin tale but ant-man gets a boost from a good ensemble cast and an overall tone of fun and creativity from director peyton reed .", "ant-man has all the right parts , but in ultron 's wake and at the forefront of a long upcoming lineup of films , it really is time for marvel to start doing better .", "` ant-man ' is a blast . it is funny , clever and its view of the world in miniature is often spectacular .", "while ant-man may not have mastered giving its hero a soul , it reminds us that you can still have a blast at the movies even when the good guy and bad guy are having a life-or-death fight that can be contained inside a briefcase .", "reed and rudd 's film is proof that no matter how silly some ideas sound at first , good things often do come in small packages .", "reed might lack the pop-art pizzazz and unruly ambition wright might have provided -lrb- yes , that 's a lot of `` mights '' ... -rrb- , but he nails the comedy/drama/action balance and slam-dunks the set-pieces .", "half-assed mentions of the avengers , as well as a few cameo appearances sprinkled both within the feature and in its credits stingers , exude less shame than a crowd-pandering politico .", "comic book movies are getting pretty deep into the b-list . so whatever its b-movie charms , this one never feels like it can play with the big boys .", "ant-man emerges only as a minor hero - fine for occasional gags and cameos in upcoming marvel ensembles , but undeserving of all this attention . and his movie feels , not like a well-deserved launch , but a contractual obligation ...", "ant-man is , well , ok , and maybe that 's enough . i wanted more , and those moments where it looked like i was going to get it , only to have things not quite come to fruition , makes the film as frustrating as it is enjoyable .", "a funny and fast-paced superhero film that serves as a welcome breath of fresh air compared to the typical end-of-the-world summer blockbusters .", "if more of these would include nods to the wallace and gromit short ` the wrong trousers ' then a future of endless marvels would n't seem so grim .", "powered by rudd 's goofy , good-guy sentimentality , ant-man filled me with something that 's become a rather rare commodity in superhero movies : joy .", "never thought i 'd type this about a comic book movie , but ant-man needs to take itself more seriously .", "this is the sorbet . imperfect and perhaps creatively-compromised , ant-man nonetheless reinvigorated me , and , for the first time in a while , made me ready for more . no small feat .", "like all great heroes , ant-man arrives in the nick of time ... for an entire genre .", "you ca n't have a good ant-man movie without a good ant-man , and in the genial and charming everyman paul rudd , the filmmakers have done it right .", "ant-man is fun but surprisingly conventional .", "while its shrunken special effects are stunning its screenplay is overloaded with melodrama and an unreasonable amount of unfunny humor .", "the result is a film not quite sure of itself , like it 's wearing clothes a size too big .", "the thing has got big laughs , a real heartbeat , and a modesty of scale that , next to the mega machinery of most marvel movies , is kind of a relief .", "although its origin-story machinations get the better of it , ant-man is n't a bust .", "the attempts at overt comedy are hit-and-miss . the heist elements are derivative and not nearly as inventive as one might expect given the possibilities . the action sequences are variable and the dramatic moments ... the less said , the better .", "there 's nothing snarky or air quote-ish about the story , but there is a recognition that this is a superhero the size of a grain of rice . in this case , that 's super enough .", "another cog in the marvel machine , it runs smoothly , with douglas providing the necessary gravitas and stoll giving emotional viability to his unbalanced villain .", "ant-man does some things very well , like letting paul rudd inhabit a comic-book character in precisely the same way iron man put a goatee on robert downey jr. and called him tony stark .", "mostly the film keeps to the lighter side , aided by michael pe\u0144a in a comic-even-more-relief role , and by his criminal buddies kurt , dave and gale .", "i 'm not entirely convinced the character will mix well into the overall marvel cinematic universe when he inevitably starts to crossover into other superhero films , but as a standalone adventure , `` ant-man '' is undeniably entertaining .", "might be the biggest surprise of the summer .", "it is fun and frothy and convinces as a worthy part of the marvel canon .", "for once the bad buzz and worse trailers were wrong . this hero deserves a movie all his own .", "the weakest marvel movie since the incredible hulk .", "... it 's becoming more and more apparent that marvel simply has no idea what they 're doing within the blockbuster genre .", "director peyton reed has a lot of fun with the concept , though epic battles on tiny scales can be a bit less breathtaking .", "ant-man is this year 's guardians of the galaxy . it focuses on a peripheral , wisecracking member of the marvel universe , adding a generous dose of humor to its superhero action .", "cheeky , good-natured , clever and even a little on the subversive side , ant-man is that rarest of comic-book movies -- one that manages to be personal and does n't take itself too seriously .", "both an entertaining and eminently disposable superhero movie , ant-man rounds out marvel studios ' much-vaunted ` phase two ' of its masterplan to maintain world domination of mainstream cinema .", "the comedy is muted , the action scenes are slick but forgettable and the character 's usp is largely wasted .", "it 's a heist movie . that 's all it is , a fun heist movie with powers and explosions and awesome costumes and ant armies . it 's also extremely well directed .", "the plot 's the same old thing . mad , mad , mad , mad science ; imminent apocalypse ; parent/child issues ; blah blah blaggidy blah . the tone of ant-man , however , is relatively light and predominantly comic .", "refreshingly simple and loads of fun , ant-man maximizes on its point of difference of its smallest super-hero by coating it with lots of laughter and a likeable vibe", "funny , charming and very family friendly , ant-man is a solid debut for what will almost certainly develop into a meatier and more assured trilogy .", "ant-man has a suitably small-scale story for its tiny hero , which was a breath of fresh air when compared to the other more bloated entries in the mcu .", "a charming and eccentric heist film with a great sense of humour .", "marvel 's tiniest hero stars in the marvel cinematic universe 's smallest movie so far , one that loses paul rudd 's charm among familiar comic-book action .", "it has a big heart , it 's a lot of fun , and that vibrancy is infectious .", "the narrative is leaden and lumpy in a way that suggests prolonged script-tinkering .", "rudd 's charm and easygoing sense of humor keeps us engaged , even though ` ant-man ' is the least clever and ambitious of the recent spate of marvel movies .", "unlike the two-dimensional pages of a comic book , and unlike it 's two-dimensional marvel comics movie character cousins , ant-man is three-dimensional fun .", "in more ways than one , `` ant-man '' is smaller than most of the rest of the mcu . the fate of the world is not immediately at stake , and that 's a refreshing change .", "the increasingly stale marvel formula gets a blast of fresh air in this rollocking adventure movie , which combines a steady stream of character-based comedy with action sequences that are integrated seamlessly into the plot .", "ant-man is a load of a fun , a light-hearted superhero heist film with a sense of humor and playfulness that will make you forget just how silly the whole thing is .", "if you 're worn out by superhero movies featuring apocalyptic battles in which cities are leveled , may i present `` ant-man , '' in which the climactic showdown takes place aboard a thomas the tank engine train set . and not even the deluxe version .", "it might take another ant-man movie -lrb- you know it 's in the works -rrb- to see his character grow once the suit 's luster has worn down , but the framework is there to create an interesting superhero .", "i always thought this was the dumbest idea ever , and i was wrong .", "the best thing about `` ant-man '' is that is starts small and stays that way .", "ant-man is n't much more than pleasant -lrb- peyton reed directs limply -rrb- , but anything marvel that does n't feel marvel-ish makes me smile .", "it 's a film that always feels this close to being unique , and funny , and thrilling . which is why when it misses its mark , over and over and over again , the sound of its failure resounds that much louder .", "this is the most straight-forward and fun marvel movie for ages .", "pretending there 's a more fascinating version of this film out there somewhere , like the richard donner cut of superman ii , is a great way to come to terms with how rote and unremarkable ant-man is .", "rudd 's charm and an overall sense of silliness make for breezy summer fun . it 's also marvel 's most kid-friendly movie yet .", "why , oh why , must these movies telling the story of the beginnings of a superhero do the same things over and over and over again ?", "ant-man does n't even try to break the mold , but at least it 's less busy and bombastic than most marvel offerings .", "when you get right down to it , there is something rather amusing about watching a protagonist the size of a fingernail doing ambitious stunt work while he attempts to survive dangerous obstacles .", "-lsb- ants are -rsb- pests , and that 's just a weird place to start for a superhero , especially if he never strays too far from his origins .", "it may boast the world 's smallest superhero but marvel 's ant-man is big on fun and ingenuity .", "divertido , mas esquec\u00edvel .", "what is somewhat surprising is just how hilarious it actually is , even becoming a challenger to last year 's laugh-fest guardians of the galaxy in terms of impressive comedic chops .", "ant-man 's best quality is that it does n't try to be a superhero movie yet it endulges all the craziness in them . -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "one of the biggest pleasures is its overall subversion of the superhero genre . it still feels like a marvel product , and it suffers from a typically one-dimensional bad guy , but it also has a lot of fun turning expectation on its head .", "any film that references the incredible shrinking man so beautifully deserves its moment on the stage .", "most marvel movies are too much . this one is just enough .", "ant-man is entertaining because it uses big-movie tricks without big-movie hyperbole .", "pick a formula . include a wonderful actor . make everything work in spite of the unoriginality that 's working against it . you get `` ant-man . ''", "it is refreshing to encounter an action-adventure with a lilliputian lightness of touch . the downside , though , is that ant-man seems very insubstantial fare by comparison with iron man , captain america et al. .", "-lsb- a -rsb- lesser entry in the marvel series , but hardly microscopic .", "although the story dynamics are fundamentally silly and the family stuff , with its parallel father-daughter melodrama , is elemental button-pushing , a good cast led by a winning paul rudd puts the nonsense over in reasonably disarming fashion .", "jokey rather than funny , and a bit forced when it 's trying to be sincere , ant-man has plenty of enthusiasm but not a lot of inspiration , reed unable to conceive the film in such a way that it establishes its own niche in the big-screen marvel landscape .", "succeeds well enough as a genial diversion and sometimes a delightful one , predicated on the rarely heeded hollywood wisdom that less really can be more .", "free of the bloated running time we 've come to expect from summer movies , it 's a hugely entertaining superhero comedy that 's a refreshing break from marvel formula .", "marvel has done it again ... it 's delightfully unexpected in its willingness to scale down , yet in doing so shows us how remarkable and important the smaller things in life truly are , after all .", "there 's no sensitivity , no eye for movement , no feeling for the way a camera can create emotion out of nothing , no heart beating beneath its celluloid skin .", "marvel 's `` ocean 's eleven '' meets `` iron man '' m\u00e9lange does have its fleeting pleasures , but is ultimately a minor , milder mcu effort .", "the result is a lighter , more overtly comedic effort than most marvel films , and wright 's influence is still all over the finished product .", "everyone involved can proudly declare , `` honey , i shrunk the marvel cinematic universe . ''", "it could have been a lot worse and that in itself is a small miracle .", "a better than average caper with some really great performances and unique style that also further expands on the breadth of the marvel cinematic universe .", "it is lighter and less pyrotechnic , more friendly and entertaining than other marvel products . -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "a very fun epic story . -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "marvel wins big by going small in its latest adventure .", "i enjoyed `` ant-man '' most as small-scale spectacle , a high-tech update on `` honey , i shrunk the kids '' cinema ... the plot , it must be said , rewards not thinking about it .", "the cast is better than solid . directed by peyton reed , the action is a zippy pleasure . the more scott shrinks , the bigger the fun . the visual effects are witty , especially when he begins making allies of various ant colonies .", "a rousing 3-d sci-fi adventure that celebrates the teamwork between a man on an important mission and a band of insects .", "a fairly straightforward , conventional superhero story , where a mere mortal gathers the ability to be extraordinary and then becomes a hero . this is no way to sell me on a story about a guy who can make himself the size of an ant .", "go ant-man , more fun than the last avengers movie by a long shot . converted 3d still looks awful , however .", "when one of his pet ants is killed , scott -lrb- rudd -rrb- threatens the villain with a wee fist : `` you 're going to regret this ! '' this movie about shrinkage has a nice sense of proportion .", "it does n't rise to the screwball audacity of `` guardians of the galaxy . '' or `` antz . '' or `` a bug 's life . '' but it 's an endearing exercise in style - a playful , small-scale crowd-pleaser that parodies its bombastic marvel precursors .", "clever , funny , cool marvel movie has lots of sci-fi action .", "it 's exactly what the mcu needs right now : a creative dose of fun .", "this new feature takes issues of absurdity and scale to heart in many ways ; it is modest as well as ambitious , and its title character is played by paul rudd , the most appealingly self-deprecating of actors .", "ant-man is a salvage job but a good one . in common with guardians of the galaxy , it exhibits a b-movie nuttiness not permitted in the studio 's flagship films : your iron man , your avengers .", "` ant-man '' is n't your typical marvel bombast . instead of a sensory assault , it 's more content with taking a quiet-and-quaint approach to introducing one of the stable 's lesser-known superheroes .", "as with all of marvel studios ' movies , the action , humour and innate silliness is tempered with something a little more thoughtful and meditative , making for a highly entertaining mix .", "thanks to a perfectly cast leading role by paul rudd and a hilarious supporting choice in michael pe\u0144a , `` ant-man '' is a much funner-than-expected summer blockbuster that 's as kid-friendly as it gets for the superhero genre .", "a heist movie at heart , where the safecracker can also shrink to the size of an ant , it 's got a true lightness of touch that makes it compelling and even heart-warming .", "like its predecessor , `` guardians of the galaxy , '' `` ant-man '' plays with the marvel universe without upending it . it manages to make fun of the superhero genre while still fully embracing the emotions that make the genre powerful .", "two father/daughter stories - with splashy simulations , using macro-photography and motion-capture technology .", "to say the least , this is a movie with a few bugs in it .", "light and entertaining .", "at long last marvel studios offers up a superhero smaller than its artistic ambitions .", "the overwhelming , self-serious sense that we are watching something very important blissfully does n't exist in ant-man . it 's just plain fun : light , breezy , simple and enjoyable .", "for the second straight year , marvel 's late-summer entry is an inventive , very enjoyable action film .", "fun -lsb- but -rsb- it lacks both the artistic touch and character traces that would have transformed it from an episode into a movie .", "even with such a weird concept about a guy who can shrink and then communicate with ants ... there 's way too much that feels familiar here .", "clunky and strange but refreshingly simple .", "as generic as comic-book movies come .", "you can see , especially in that final , hilarious m\u0119l\u00e9e scene , where ant-man could have gone right . -lrb- where it could have gone wright ? -rrb- but the film is too timid to fully take the wilder turns , to become its own distinct creature .", "watching it is like channel-surfing between hot fuzz , a duff early 90s michael douglas drama and the very schlockiest bits of interstellar .", "ant-man works within the framework of the larger marvel cinematic universe , but also delivers a streamlined , fast-paced , lively and -- frankly -- utterly charming story .", "even the jokes that do work leave some laughs on the table , and the impulse to play things safe proves emblematic of a film that shrinks in the face of a challenge .", "serves up jokes that do n't land and thrills that do n't thrill .", "not only working as an out and out comedy , ant-man proves its originality by being the first heist movie included in the marvel franchise .", "it all adds up to a film that is just so much brilliant funtimes .", "`` ant-man '' becomes the first marvel movie to deliver a third act that 's better than the first two .", "there are some clever and nicely conceived sequences , and some bursts of wit - though given the writing firepower involved , there should really have been more wit .", "colorful and creative . one of the better marvel movies . paul rudd is perfectly cast .", "director peyton reed tries to piece it together but there 's just no way to make the scenes with rudd seem like anything more than a rejected saturday night live skit .", "thankfully never takes itself too seriously and is n't interested in bashing characters through buildings and streets like an out of control video game . -lrb- full content review - violence , sexual content , profanity , etc. - for parents also available -rrb-", "the second half of this nearly two-hour film is a pure delight - fast-paced and funny and filled with special effects and humor as great as any recent marvel movie , with the possible exception of `` guardians of the galaxy . ''", "ant-man is infectious , silly entertainment , a popcorn flick that knows what it is and does what it does to an intoxicating degree .", "ant-man is a neat package , that comfortably wears its connection to the marvel cinematic universe without labouring the point .", "yes , ant-man awkwardly vacillates between broad comedy and earnest adventure , and pena 's cartoony sidekick seems to belong in some other less serious movie . but ant-man works . in spots , it works well .", "we start with carefree exhilaration . ... but - wages of bingemanship - we then proceed to boorish silliness and finally stupor .", "despite a story that sometimes strains under cliches , several supporting characters shine and the action-humor combinations will leave you smiling always and laughing often ." ], "summary": "led by a charming performance from paul rudd , ant-man offers marvel thrills on an appropriately smaller scale -- albeit not as smoothly as its most successful predecessors .", "id": "770680853" }, { "movie": "margin_call", "reviews": [ "a wall street version of ` glengarry glen ross ' in which the weak are whisked aside and the alpha dogs stick around long enough to fill their pockets with millions of other people 's money .", "gets the little details right , the way everyone is one bad week away from being homeless , the way you can have a conversation with a colleague with the cleaning lady standing in between you and no one will ever even acknowledge that she 's there .", "a well-told and credible look at the economic collapse from the perspective of one company 's employees .", "MOV is wall street for now . that a sexy gordon gekko-type villain is no longer anywhere to be found shows just how much worse things really are today .", "at times , the film becomes just a series of static , over-determined conversations held in lofty offices and gleaming toilets .", "wily humor and sly observations about the lives of these high rollers are the highlights ... it 's when those give way to issues of morality that the film disappoints , just a little ...", "maybe the financial collapse went down something like this ...", "in MOV , first time writer-director jc chandor creates a humanizing insight into the lives of the bankers who discovered the fall of the economy .", "es casi imposible identificarse con alguno de los personajes . y el director y guionista lo sabe , por eso dota a su \u00f3pera prima de una tensi\u00f3n propia de un thriller , y de una mirada c\u00ednica y desencantada .", "MOV ca n't beat the street , missing the mark in a major way given the massive expectations .", "writer-director j.c. chandor then plunges us into a dark night of quietly nasty reckoning as it becomes clear to the firm 's honchos that the calamitous risk assessments one of their own was working on might well be true .", "this may be the first post-2008 feature film to dramatize the crisis itself , rather than using it as a backdrop for an outraged harangue against the banks .", "if only the movie 's cast of ordinary working stiffs were n't quite so bland and , frankly , dull .", "some of the dialogue 's a little too on the nose , but it 's a really compelling story .", "MOV manages to put a human face on the current economic crisis-but i wish it was as good as its trailer , which is forceful , well-edited , and dramatically scored ...", "chandor 's film is not a tale of the plots and counterplots of conniving bankers . it is a disaster movie , in which even the masters of the universe are running for their lives .", "buoyed by a strong cast and a smart script , MOV raises vital ethical questions about the intersection of `` doing what 's right '' and `` making a lot of money . ''", "benefits hugely from sophisticated plotting and dialogue .", "` MOV ' a good investment .", "the actors make the material interesting , even if you do n't always understand what they 're talking about .", "it 's a fascinating film that reveals much about its characters and provides food for thought for all of us who live in a capitalist society . greed may be good for the avaricious but it 's sure as hell ugly when it comes at any cost", "what makes it engaging is that the oscar nominated screenplay explores the people who make the decisions from a moral point of view . and finds them wanting .", "-lsb- it -rsb- gives us villains that , rather than being sympathetic , are well-argued and reasonable . it gives us heroes that , whilst idealistic , make immoral choices for their own betterment . MOV is complex , fury-inspiring , and thoughtful .", "with a script void of shouting matches and preachy monologues , j.c. chandor makes the brave decision not to demonise these characters .", "taut wall street drama takes an inside look at financial and human meltdown .", "intelligently written and brilliantly portrayed , MOV delves into the belly of the beast where consequence is given no conscious and the line between good vs evil is blurred amongst a sea of numbers .", "MOV 's a tightly scripted , intensely acted , skillfully directed , character piece that illuminates the depths of moral and ethical corruption at the epicentre of western capitalist society .", "this is chandor 's triumph , and marks him out as someone to keep an eye on in the future .", "chandor underplays the human drama and the anonymity of the wall street office building so much it risks slipping into doldrums , but the stakes are too great and the actors too sharp to let that happen .", "smart , sharp and dark , j c chandor 's ensemble drama - eliciting defined , defiant performances from an a-grade cast - summons the spirit of david mamet 's glengarry glen ross .", "though fictionalized and understated , `` MOV '' effectively voices the same outrage that the occupy wall street movement is so loudly proclaiming .", "a smart , harrowing and mordant drama set inside a fictional wall street firm at the trip-wire moment just before the 2008 financial collapse .", "it sees its characters not as villains but , simply , as business people - with all that means .", "the only thing i wrestled with was `` do i care ? ''", "it 's a tightly enclosed movie . all the better to make the characters -lrb- and you -rrb- feel trapped like rats .", "do not expect mayhem , shootouts or high speed chases but do expect a corporate thriller that shows how our lives have been impacted by the inmates running our financial institutions .", "the project feels constricted , more suited to cable tv than the big screen . summing it up : these days , we need more than small change .", "`` MOV '' is a terrific film no matter what side of the police line the viewer is on , with a fantastic cast and sharp and smart writing that attempts to explain what went wrong without getting bogged down in details .", "it 's all fairly entertaining but also confusing for anybody who does n't get the wall street lingo .", "the real strength of ' -lsb- chandor 's -rsb- debut feature is how persuasively it depicts the fishbowl world of high finance , whose executives seem incapable of seeing past their towering salaries and privileged lives .", "MOV takes what could have been a complex and boring subject and serves it up as gripping entertainment .", "with the employment market such as it is , it 's remarkable how ` of its time ' MOV feels .", "strong acting props up this emotionless process film . it is like something david mamet would make , slick and clever , but lacking in real feeling or drama .", "a commendably sober and even handed drama , that gives the much loathed bankers human faces -lrb- tethered to animal metaphors , notably fat cats and dead dogs -rrb- , while noting the culture of profligacy and flippancy within which they operate .", "a solid and serviceable financial thriller , shot in the washed out palate of currently trendy scandinavian film and tv and with echoes of all the president 's men .", "this is thriller , horror story and human drama in one .", "it 's a smart , entertaining film , and an impressive debut from the director .", "greed is n't merely good here , it 's god ; and he 's about to smite his acolytes with blazing old testament relish .", "it feels a little stagey , but this is the film wall street 2 should have been .", "a shrewd and confident drama .", "chock-full of terrific performances , MOV is the kind of gripping , grown-up film that these days is usually found on the small screen .", "a gripping , sophisticated , adrenaline-fuelled attempt at humanising today 's folk devil , the banker ...", "it 's a slick , well-made film about a catastrophic set of events that were catastrophic to everybody but those who actually caused them .", "MOV is a compelling human drama that is n't just about numbers .", "chandor proffers a cross-section of a lehman brothers-esque company as the realisation dawns that sub-prime speculation has brought the market to an ominous tipping point .", "impressively directed and superbly acted , this is a surprisingly engaging , frequently tense and ultimately depressing drama that would play well alongside financial crisis documentary the inside job .", "the claustrophobic , vdu-illuminated isolationism of the financial services industry is cleverly implied , as the central disaster is humanised by individual ones ...", "it has intelligence and dry wit , but also a sly wink of designer trashiness .", "like the social network it grippingly dramatizes a dry , seemingly impenetrable subject that has huge implications for the way we live .", "fine acting and sense of purpose , if occasionally a little too equivocal .", "basically , one company messed up their formula , so they sold all their assets knowing the value would quickly decline and the buyers would be left with worthless investments . that 's why i always say do n't invest .", "there have been better movies set in the financial world , but for a rather contained ensemble drama , it generally works , though it 's no inside job", "chandor 's debut feature audaciously asks us to empathize with obscenely overpaid risk analysts and their bosses , a gambit that fails ... largely because his characters are little more than mouthpieces for blunt speechifying and mamet-like outbursts", "escalation is the main thing MOV has going for it , as more substantial actors are trotted out to have their way with chandor 's realistic-sounding boardroom dialogue .", "spacey does some of the best work we 've seen from him in a while as a once-confident man who 's now questioning everything upon which he built his cushy life .", "the atmosphere is evocative and the story reasonably tense , but the movie as a whole is surprisingly dry ...", "paints a portrait of a world where money equals status and ambition is a currency of its own .", "highlighted by terrific performances by spacey , irons , and baker , this film brings out the basic tartuffery of sellers of financial instruments without explaining anything .", "a 24-hour meltdown of meetings and dark-night-of-the-soul speeches that would have been better suited to the stage .", "MOV may not be telling things exactly as they were , but it 's close enough to provide an uncomfortable glimpse behind the curtain . and it 's an engrossing `` thinking '' thriller as well .", "an investment firm facing extinction in the 2008 fiscal crisis has less than a day to navigate its inevitable crash . writer-director j.c. chandor 's debut feature is as powerful as it is topical .", "timely , topical and intriguing - with a release as fortuitous as ` the china syndrome ' was to three mile island .", "a riveting drama that puts oliver stone 's latest wall street movie and the hbo `` too big to fail '' to shame .", "the entertainment value is high .", "... a neat little morality play about the few whose actions caused the collapse of millions .", "MOV is the best fictional treatment of the current economic crisis .", "j.c. chandor makes his feature writing and directing debut here , and it 's a very strong effort , suggesting a huge talent on the rise .", "solid performances and an accessible script make it resonate .", "a film like this -- with a large cast and a big subject -- needs a clear , concise vision , a strong hand , and MOV just does n't have it .", "all of those on either side of the greed equation will admire director/writer j.c. chandor 's taut tale of wall street brokers at their worst .", "chandor presents these characters not as indifferent masters of the universe , nor as vampires , but as people - and his film is the stronger for it .", "chandor is more interested in the banality of greed and opportunism and the ease in which principled employees are swayed to engage in unprincipled acts .", "in what could arguably be called - sadly - a season of consumerism comes `` MOV , '' a realistic , dialogue-driven drama about the unraveling of an investment bank within 24 hours .", "-lsb- video -rsb- that chandor tells the story without demonizing the criminals whose heads have yet to role is the film 's double-edged sword .", "a hell of a picture . and shrewd .", "chandor knows his stock market and brokerage houses but the staging and reliance on unending dialogue `` scenes '' cries out stage play .", "though stagey , the film incisively explores a crisis in a financial house .", "what could have been a dynamic narrative instead ends up as baffling and quite often as boring as an economy 101 textbook .", "avoids fantasyland boardroom heroism while lucidly assessing the indomitable persistence of unchecked greed .", "drama about a long day 's journey into night and catastrophe in 2008 as high-ranking members of a prosperous financial firm deal with its imminent collapse .", "chandor makes good use of his acting assets and there 's no doubt that he knows how to direct , but ultimately , the dullness of the script is just a little too toxic .", "chandor 's script fuels intensity by packing the drama into a tight window .", "MOV might have lost me completely if it were n't for spacey , who delivers his meatiest , most nuanced work in years .", "the film wall street : money never sleeps should have been .", "chilling and enjoyable in unequal measure . entertainment predominates , but entertainment with smarts , and a well-honed edge .", "-lsb- it -rsb- brings this dangerous numbers game back to the trading-floor desktops and mahogany-covered conference tables where it belongs .", "`` MOV '' employs an excellent cast who can make financial talk into compelling dialogue .", "`` MOV '' is on the facile side , but it 's well-crafted and smartly acted .", "chandor writes monologues for seemingly every member of the ensemble , which gets a bit wearying , but is also how i 'm guessing he attracted this stellar cast .", "pulses with understated professional restraint ... centered on the quiet arrogance that allowed large institutions to shoot themselves somewhere more painful than the foot .", "this is a form of business kabuki where everyone knows all the moves ahead of time and must strictly follow form . but his cast is strong enough to convey the turmoil beneath .", "it is a tale of greed , vanity , myopia and expediency that is all the more damning for its refusal to moralize .", "within the artful fluctuations of heroism and villainy , spacey stands out with a performance that evokes memories of `` glengarry glen ross . ''", "it captures how our financial institutions became secret havens to a selfishness so undiluted it was sociopathic . you watch this drama of big money with a tingle of toxic fascination .", "as a movie , it 's so tightly framed you gasp from claustrophobia . as a film of cryptic boredom , i can not believe the actors were able to say their lines without cue cards .", "the credits are the most fascinating part of `` MOV . ''", "spacey is mesmerizing as sam , a weary , aging lion losing his appetite for antelope . and irons plays the villain with magisterial ease .", "kevin spacey is flat-out brilliant as a company lifer in the awful position of knowing what 's coming but being powerless to stop it .", "a taut , smart and remarkably timely thriller ...", "the protection of the individual at the sake of our society always kills me . but , what are you going to do ? throw money at it . no really , throw some money at ` MOV , ' it 's worth it .", "imagine inside job adapted for the screen by david mamet and you 've got the general idea .", "ultimately romanticizes the traders it pretends only to humanize , and validates the enterprise it is attempting to scold .", "carefully crafted performances and taut pacing carry the day .", "a methodical , coolly absorbing boardroom thriller .", "topical drama about the financial crisis lacks the visceral punch to grab an audience .", "MOV seems remarkably fresh -lrb- it 's not as if the economy has bounced back since ' 08 -rrb- . and the morality play in a milieu not associated with morals makes for cool dramatics .", "humanizes the cause of the current recession", "it opens with a bloodbath , builds to an apocalypse and ends with a gravedigger doggedly excavating the earth . by the time the story is told , the blood -- sorry , red ink -- is surging down long corridors like a tidal wave .", "how good is j.c. chandor 's debut ? so good i was ready to buy what he was selling even though i did n't entirely understand it .", "as an attempt to humanize the disaster , it 's successful , bolstered by an outstanding cast able to communicate the gut-rot squeeze of fraud and the sickening launch of its permanent impact .", "chandor keeps enough of the real story to keep things vivid and meaningful but does not get mired in jargon .", "a lesson in market dissolution", "the severe imbalance between argot and emotion makes it impossible to care much about most of what we see .", "`` MOV '' takes ripped-from-the-headlines events and dramatizes them for all they 're worth . which turns out to be quite a lot .", "if you really look at `` MOV '' you can see chandor making important criticism in small and subtle ways ...", "MOV is rife with smart , sharp performances .", "chandor 's impressive debut film does indeed capture its cast of high-powered bankers as human beings , and features one of kevin spacey 's best screen performances as the firm 's middle-aged ace salesman .", "... a series of increasingly alarmed faces looking at papers and computer screens .", "there are a lot of sharp performances here , a chief pleasure of the film .", "MOV is an explosive drama that speaks lucidly and scarily to the times we live in .", "a tense but contemplative exploration of being on the other side of one of those mirrored skyscraper windows , of being in a precarious place of privilege , power and , most important of all , carefully guarded remove .", "MOV might not always be perfect , but it does a nearly perfect job of painting a shakespearean portrait of both a financial and human crisis . let 's hope we can learn from it .", "that chandor manages to find the blood in each character is accomplishment enough ; that he manages to make his drama both relevant and timeless portends a bright future indeed .", "MOV is the movie oliver stone tried to make with wall street : money never sleeps , only a lot less flashy and melodramatic -- and sharper , smarter and with a much stronger cast .", "MOV opts to show us that there are no heroes and villains , only villains and victims and poor souls weighing the merits of a faustian bargain .", "hour by hour over this 24 hour period , the tension builds as to who will give in to what ethical lapses and how each will face the future .", "we all know how it plays out , but that makes it no less compelling and maddening .", "part truth and part fiction , this yarn of financial meltdown in the executive boardroom is great entertainment from start to finish .", "it 's a realistic take on what happens when high-flying money speculators suddenly hit ground . it 's also a great calling card for j.c. chandor , the writer/director making his feature debut .", "so well made it 's hard to believe it 's j.c. chandor 's first feature film .", "with a cast as stellar as this , even the most banal striations of greed and fiscal amorality become readily evident .", "low-key and plodding , it 's at least earnestly acted ...", "a terrific piece of entertainment .", "-lrb- MOV -rrb- has the makings of a fine , fascinating experience . unfortunately , it never finds a way to be wholly compelling .", "MOV carries itself like an important movie , which it is n't . neither is it pulpish enough to be considered entertaining , which it could be . where 's oliver stone when you need him ?", "chandor keeps MOV visually and emotionally fluid , staging the entire ordeal like an escalating disaster in which fiscal , rather than physical , violence is the looming threat", "as pure drama , without reference to the wider moral issues it skirts , it 's compelling structured and played by an expert ensemble working at the top of their game .", "an absolutely fine thriller with its brain firmly intact .", "MOV puts human faces behind the masks of big business . it is a bit static , but its dialogue and performances are electric . MOV is a plaintive cry in the night of the soul .", "given the assist of a most impressive ensemble cast , MOV is a fascinating and nimble little movie that walks us through the first 24 hours of a financial crisis .", "MOV 's rigorously modulated tone , while it gives the actors time to breathe , also gives the audience more than enough time to lose interest .", "MOV is one of the strongest american films of the year and easily the best wall street movie ever made ." ], "summary": "smart , tightly wound , and solidly acted , MOV turns the convoluted financial meltdown of '08 into gripping , thought-provoking drama .", "id": "771225052" }, { "movie": "8_mile", "reviews": [ "eminem comes across as very genuine . it is his charisma , and his music , that make 8 MOV worth seeing .", "8 MOV is worth a look if only to watch eminem on the big screen . even when a film 's a bit lame , it 's always fun to be there when a star is being born .", "what 's pretty amazing here is that hanson has managed to take scott silver 's lameass script and mediocre acting and turn it into something special .", "if juice gave you an appreciation for spinning vinyl , 8 MOV will put you in awe of the art of rhyme .", "8 MOV should satisfy eminem 's legion of fans and , at the same time , affirms rap 's power as an artform , as real beat poetry , for the uninitiated -- and even for the actively resistant .", "the movie is a success on its own terms because the director does n't condescend to pop music .", "a fascinating , surprisingly entertaining stand-off that has adroitly managed to satisfy both of its constituencies , allowing all sides to legitimately claim victory .", "8 MOV is not much in the story department . its star is born framework is reassuring at the expense of being original , and the movie lacks narrative drive .", "set in detroit 's 8 MOV , the dividing line between the city limits and the northern suburbs , 8 MOV is an exciting , well-crafted movie , loaded with urban atmosphere .", "backed by a smart story that avoids easy answers and pat endings , the rapper may be in line for some real acting recognition .", "the pleasant surprise of 8 MOV is that , despite the conventional structure of scott silver 's script , curtis hanson has n't made a film about rabbit transcending his underclass roots , but embracing them instead .", "eminem gives a sincere , heartfelt , genuine performance as rapper jimmy smith -lrb- rabbit -rrb- in the detroit hood .", "it has been over 25 years since aretha demanded r-e-s-p-e-c-t from her man and marvin declared ` war is not the answer . ' are we to consider our journey down the ' 8 MOV ' road progress ?", "a solidly built , rather old-fashioned yarn about a plucky underdog who triumphs in the face of adversity .", "there 's no power fantasies here , no ego trips or fairy tale stories about a loser made good . in this case , the persona serves the story , not the other way around .", "effective , if not more than a little dishonest . think blue crush with swear words .", "everything that happens feels inevitable , achingly obvious -- the abuse , the betrayals , the arguments , the reconciliations , the tiny defeats , the bigger victories .", "the script is uninspired , the picture 's characters are stick figures , its dialogue is lackluster and the star 's performance seldom rises above the adequate .", "eminem 's skill still lies in turning an inventive phrase : filled with characters who lack depth , his film debut falls victim to its own modesty and is often insubstantial and boring .", "a canny , and largely successful , attempt to broaden the star 's appeal .", "who could have predicted that a rap movie starring eminem would , at its best , be one of the year 's sweetest joyrides ?", "i would imagine most of the exaggerated praise MOV has received is in direct correlation to the stupid pictures most rap-rock-pop stars have made in vain attempts to become movie stars .", "pop-music biopics have a great history , but 8 MOV is for eminem fans only .", "wounded and enigmatic , eminem is a worthy focus .", "` 8 MOV ' ... does n't justify the hateful violence in eminem 's lyrics , but it does help you understand where that rage comes from .", "basically recycles all the old , tired cliches that abound in every story about the rise to stardom of poor but talented youngsters who overcome terrible obstacles in their drive to succeed .", "this movie is all about the dingy glamour of self-pitying rage .", "the way this movie is made , the way this story is told , this is what is meant by the phrase `` keepin ' it real . ''", "middle-aged folks may not be attracted to the film 's rap base but the built in youth demographic will love it .", "as music star movie debuts go , 8 MOV is hardly a hard days night , but it 's not crossroads , either .", "you have to question the time and care you want to invest in a character whose goal is to excel at insults", "even if ... your idea of -lrb- w -rrb- rapping has more to do with leftover bologna than improvisational street slang , 8 MOV still goes the distance .", "in the singers-who-can ` t-act sweepstakes , britney spears -lrb- crossroads -rrb- is still on top , edging out eminem , who is about on par with mariah carey -lrb- glitter -rrb- .", "despite the weak story , hanson commands a strong performance from eminem and showcases both the rapper 's newfound acting abilities and his musical talent .", "if not strictly autobiography , the movie is close enough to eminem 's story that he knows how this character feels . if this turns out to be the only role he ever plays -- which i doubt -- he can be happy that he played it to the limit .", "director hanson skillfully creates the oppressive nature of urban poverty with the dirt , grit , and darkness that remains prevalent throughout ...", "una producci\u00f3n es interesante en m\u00e1s de un sentido . buen debut de eminem .", "there are brawls enough to provide the flavor of how life in the darker reaches of motown can be .", "8 MOV may have corniness in its bones , but there are ambiguities enough here for a whole other movie .", "for a pop star vehicle , it certainly ranks among the better ones and eminem does have a strong screen presence . unlike purple rain , this movie will probably hold up 18 years from now .", "eminem summons things from deep inside himself to shed away ego and portray a calm , frustrated , worried kid who does n't even talk too much .", "it 's a movie that showcases director curtis hanson working at the very height of his craft , but only to break even .", "the problem is eminem himself , who has clearly been drilled by the director to play to what will have to pass as strengths : stillness , cool , control .", "while no masterpiece , it is infinitely superior to the sad movie debuts of britney spears and mariah carey .", "take away the napalm spread of profanity , impromptu scenes of steamy sex and the myriad joints that get smoked , and 8 MOV is basically a disney sports movie with rap as the athletics of choice .", "following l.a. confidential and wonder boys , this makes a remarkable hat-trick for hanson and is a personal triumph for eminem .", "8 MOV is an entertaining film that will please all .", "i 've been curious about `` the eminem movie '' for months . and while i have gotten the chance to see 8 MOV , little of my pondering has been quenched ; eminem remains an enigma .", "the whole film ... coasts from colourless family melodramas to wacky-kid-hijinks ... 8 MOV is an uninteresting shell of a movie .", "regardless of the hype , 8 MOV is a classic underdog tale with real bark .", "this eminem melts in your hand and not in your mouth .", "com sua estupenda atua\u0437\u0433o neste filme , eminem poderia facilmente buscar uma carreira no cinema .", "better than average rags-to-riches story , but expect to get pinched for a special edition dvd later .", "una buena pelcula , un ms que digno debut actoral para una estrella de rap , y una estupenda banda sonora . nada mal , eh ?", "8 MOV is among the best studio films of the year 2002 .", "like his wizardly lyrics , eminem 's performance and his film have unexpected depth .", "the movie does n't feel authentic and i think it 's because of all the white folks involved .", "a hesitant presence whose vulnerability pulls you in , eminem emerges as a mainstream movie star and effectively lays to rest the spooks of slim shady : impressionable parents will love this eminently responsible film .", "when the climactic rap battle takes place , it 's one of the most mesmerizing scenes from all of 2002 .", "it is more just a pleasure to watch eminem perform . he is fiercely talented and has a natural charisma ; the camera loves him . but , like most of the story , we knew that before we saw the film .", "the film is really no more than a two-hour prelude to a climax in which our hero ... rhythmically tells people off .", "at its best , 8 MOV illuminates the culture out of which rap springs , at once an art form , provocation and survival mechanism .", "eminem is quietly effective without ever displaying much emotion . it 's a commendable film debut and he never falls into the vanity trap that many artists find when transferring their talents from the music stage to the screen .", "hanson 's enthusiastic participation in the project is bewildering given how pedestrian the story is : poor , white kid keeps getting beaten down before a final showdown ...", "eminem does a credible roughed-up urban ghetto impression of james dean", "some eminem worshippers may be slightly disappointed to find that ' 8 MOV ' does n't make full use of his verbal vitriol until late in the game . the payoff , however , is definitely worth the wait .", "rapper eminem 's film debut is far better than you 'd think -- and a pure demonstration of the power of charisma .", "book-ended by two pivotal and compelling sequences , 8 MOV , like its star , is best when it focuses on the music .", "the story is all right : the picture 's real excellence is its portrait of the society in which it takes place .", "making the city look grimy and lonely , dark and wasted but still alive with people who care , the film gets you rooting for the guys who want to make ` mo ' -lrb- short for motown -rrb- a major player .", "say what you will about him as a person , but as a performing artist marshall mathers -lrb- a k a eminem -rrb- has talent to spare . and one more thing -- his acting 's not too bad , either .", "like the recently released ` welcome to collinwood ' from cleveland 's russo brothers , curtis hanson 's ' 8 MOV ' brings affection and honesty in equal measure to its tale of impoverished middle-americans determined to get a better life -- on their own terms .", "8 MOV goes the distance , and it proves that not every musician turned actor goes down a road paved with glitter .", "8 MOV continues the director 's visual tour of america 's underbelly that heated up with l.a. confidential and continued with the pittsburgh of wonder boys .", "uneven but watchable .", "we are hardly started in 8 MOV , and already we see that this movie stands aside from routine debut films by pop stars ... like prince 's purple rain , it is the real thing .", "while it 's doubtful that eminem could run out and perform shakespeare tomorrow , his talents on screen -- in this role -- are astounding .", "fittingly , avid eminen enthusiasts and other targeted moviegoers will gleefully run this 8 MOV race and enjoy the antics of a misunderstood foul-mouthed rapping icon with layers of complexity", "believe it or not folks , this is the feel good movie of the year !", "a brilliant , engaging examination of people who dream of escape .", "if the part is not much of a mental or emotional stretch for him , -lsb- eminem -rsb- acquits himself well enough for me to want to see him in other films .", "in many ways , the movie is just one big clich\u00e9 , but hanson 's style gives it more weight and heft than it might otherwise have .", "curtis hanson knew exactly what he was doing when he made 8 MOV .", "can eminem act ? yes , i am happy to report .", "even a rapper needs to punch things up a bit , and 8 MOV , for all its hip-hop braggadocio , is a pretty weak riff .", "can eminem act ? who knows ? but his star turn in 8 MOV , as an aspiring rapper growing up poor and white in motown , is memorable -- even if we 've seen it all before .", "8 MOV does everything it 's designed to do .", "8 MOV is a movie about youth and race and sex and growth that has no respect for youth , has a disturbing undercurrent of hatred for blacks , thinks all women are whores and for which growth is as simple as not being too afraid to let your voice out .", "is eminem a movie star ? only when he raps .", "thanks to eminem and the rising rap momentum , 8 MOV is engrossing .", "-lsb- 8 MOV is -rsb- more funny than foul , more inspiring than infuriating , more touching than not . in many ways , 8 MOV is a rocky-like tale of determination and long odds that will appeal even to those who are turned off by most rap .", "eminem delivers a performance of considerable passion and depth .", "the film is emotionally charged , almost naturally so , with hanson 's direction stressing the pop rapture that music can provide in a world that 's dirty and ugly .", "you ca n't stop him or crop him/he 's in widescreen and large/he ai n't playing when he 's baggin ' curtis hanson for sarge ... -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "ends on a high note , but it does n't negate the tedium of the number of false and mostly flat ones that precede it .", "writer scott silver and director curtis hanson dig deep into the subculture to deliver a terrific movie .", "-lsb- eminem -rsb- goes the MOV demanded of him and he emerges a certified winner this time out .", "reactions to 8 MOV may be tempered by predispositions for or against the rapper , but the film can not be faulted for lack of trying and may seduce skeptics with its energy and tone .", "another fine effort from a director currently on a critical roll . hanson is great at teasing the audience with little samples of his star 's lyrical dexterity as he builds towards the finale .", "because it rejects easy victories , this may be one of the few inspirational movies that could actually inspire someone , somewhere , sometime .", "what screamed a ridiculous idea or vanity project when you first read or head about it is the exact opposite - a well thought out and realised film which never thinks too much of itself .", "as unlikely as an insightful and riveting film about a poor white detroit kid succeeding beyond his surroundings through rap music might be , `` 8 MOV '' is that gloriously gritty movie .", "... rocky with a rap beat ...", "eminem 's edgy , graphic quasi-biopic is not for kids .", "i was able to guess what would happen to most of the characters most of the time and come through perfectly .", "it 's easy to like jimmy smith as well as to admire him , because mr. mathers lets us in , with no sign of calculation , on the kindness , even tenderness , that jimmy conceals from most of the people around him .", "in the tradition of rocky and fever , the movie is a shrewdly engineered piece of proletarian pop -- a story of triumph -- but , like eminem 's enraged lyrics , 8 MOV has its own kind of vile candor .", "in addition to showcasing mathers , 8 MOV makes a case for rap as a creative rebel yell .", "what saves all this from being purely conventional is the filmmaker 's keen sense of rabbit 's essential solitude as an artist , even when surrounded by friends .", "on it 's own , `` 8 MOV '' is a slightly above average mixture of `` good will hunting '' drama , `` rocky '' sports suspense and `` purple rain ' '' musical moments . on a slightly deeper level , it plays as a white fantasy about black acceptance and how talent being colorbl", "all this hoopla about eminem 's so great , is it any more of a stretch than prince in `` purple rain '' or babs in `` a star is born '' or woody in any movie where he 's having an affair with a younger woman ?", "it ai n't eminem : the movie but it does showcase eminem : the actor -- easily the best rapper-cum-thesp since tupac shakur .", "the climactic 20 minutes or so represent the most electrifying depiction of rap that the multiplex is likely to see , a torrent of word-slinging packed with atmosphere and ribald drama .", "since his ascension to pop-culture royalty , eminem has transformed the messy emotions of his life into musical black comedy . in 8 MOV , that life becomes an equally riveting drama .", "elegant and tough , unpretentiously directed by curtis hanson , it does n't for a second pander to what is supposed to be the star 's target audience .", "eminem wipes away his hubris , revealing a trembling , self-doubting kid on the way up .", "-lsb- nothing -rsb- more than an elvis film , except there 's a lot more sex and violence than blue hawaii and the music video sequences feature creative profanity instead of surfboards .", "it 's 8 miles of bad road , i 'm sorry to say , even for fans of eminem 's music -- we are left `` doing time '' waiting for his `` wicked rhymes '' till well beyond the point of patience .", "after just a few years in the spotlight , eminem has accomplished something elvis , madonna , michael and mariah have not : he 's made a great movie .", "is it worth a look ? sure . is it begging to be parodied ? without a doubt ... somebody alert the wayans .", "director curtis hanson puts a new spin on the familiar `` triumph against the odds '' theme with this slick showcase for the talents of superstar rapper eminem .", "eminem plays a guy named `` rabbit , '' and he does n't get any respect . maybe going by the name `` rabbit '' is n't the route to respect , yo .", "8 MOV is a great musical but as an inspirational drama it 's trouble . given that it revolves around a world where `` keeping it real '' is a permanent motto , it is , ironically enough , suspiciously phoney .", "then there are the rap sequences where eminem displays an energy close to unrivaled by any performance this year . in these scenes , he and the film show what they 're really made of .", "about 3 miles to long and if you 've seen purple rain , american anthem , rocky , saturday night fever and to an extent coyote ugly and glitter , you 've seen 8 MOV .", "8 MOV probably wo n't win converts to rap , but it should thrill eminem fans , so thumbs up .", "eminem himself comes fully to life only during his raps -- which the film unwisely confines to the last 20 minutes .", "a powerful film that shows us the frustration and desperation of an entire emotionally neglected sub-class , its bravura ` rap battles ' offering up the strongest prima facie connection between hip-hop 's chest-thumping and adolescence 's shoe-gazing .", "if eminem is a genius then tiny tim must be god .", "what makes 8 MOV transcend the formulaic nature of its plot is the way it makes these rap competitions compelling even for those unfamiliar with rap music , and its scrupulous , loving rendition of a grim , wintry detroit circa 1995 .", "for all its grit , 8 MOV ends up radiating a joyful , hopeful vibe . it 's an old-school charmer .", "essentially a downtrodden-teen - makes-good film ... that 's not a bad thing , but it 's nothing to rap home about , either .", "8 MOV wins because it does n't try to impress you with mega-stars and made-up stories . instead , it tells a simple story of trial , error and triumph .", "it 's raw , it 's intense and it 's very engrossing .", "eminem is such a commanding visual presence , diversely eloquent of patience , ire , and weariness , that his silent poses and solitary interludes become many of the film 's most effective scenes .", "8 MOV has the pop star of the moment , eminem , and a hip-hop soundtrack that 's as current as it is contagious , but , at its core , the movie 's spirit is as old-school as it comes .", "merely a solid , conventional drama , because it ultimately loses sight of one very important fact : eminem is at his best when he 's making people angry , not when he 's asking for their sympathy .", "say what you want about eminem , but the guy has passion and a gift with words - the finale at the battle simply rocks the house .", "the story of 8 MOV is n't far removed from eminem 's own self-mythologized life -- a jerry springer-style saga out of detroit -- but the unslakable anger is gone .", "despite the predictable formula , screenwriter scott silver wisely avoids taking the easy route every time ; there are several small twists you may not expect , and the ending is n't entirely a happy one .", "the movie has some of the braggadocio of its white-trash hero , building to its competitive climax as if it were a gladiatorial sporting event , and it carried me all the way .", "the profane one 's performance in 8 MOV is more britney than brando . as with ms. belly button in the vapid crossroads , eminem plays himself , albeit a cleaned-up , deep-thinking , saintlike version .", "-lsb- eminem -rsb- does a lot of things right . so does the movie .", "a by-the-numbers storyline , complete with character actions that do n't make a lick of sense because of how underdeveloped they are .", "packs as much humor , hard truth and vitality as the rapper 's lps .", "so paper thin that the former ` king of controversy ' was able to cram the entire plot into one little crossover rap song that 's currently playing at a radio station near you .", "8 MOV is n't about race or hip-hop as much as it is about making a valuable commodity more palatable to a mainstream audience .", "certainly the best first film ever by a musician crossing over to the acting world .", "a movie that will capture the attention of anyone who remembers what it was like when music was a crucial component of their daily existence .", "there are a lot of stale -- and nefarious -- clich\u00e9s in 8 MOV -lrb- universal -rrb- , but most of the time they 're overwhelmed by the pulsing , grinding , hopped-up camerawork and the soulful star turn of eminem .", "there is a quietude to the film , even though it is punctuated by a lot of music and even more yelling . its mood is soft and even humble .", "who wastes time watching tiger woods/when real action comes from the boyz in the hoods ?", "some movies , a very few , possess the purity of myth , and they do n't have to be great to be greatly important . the wild one is an example ; saturday night fever is another . now add 8 MOV to that short list .", "8 MOV '' becomes tedious and tiresome in the first hour .", "the sex scene between jimmy -lrb- eminem -rrb- and alex -lrb- brittany murphy of `` riding in cars with boys '' -rrb- is hot enough to melt the gum under the seats of any theater .", "eminem 's performance as the struggling actor is very impressive .", "if this movie had been directed by someone other than curtis hanson ; i 'm talking some nobody shmoe or some flashy music video director , critics would have dismissed this as just another singer-turned-actor star vehicle with no more depth than a shot glass", "em 's lowdown , dirty diatribe may sound like treason , but you might discover that his rhyme is the reason .", "first adam sandler 's in an art film . now eminem 's in a `` sports '' movie ... go figure .", "however you view it , it 's a story that 's been told before . and yet , it works .", "if you took the ` f ' word in its various permutations , ` yo , ' ` man , ' ` dawg , ' ` word ' and the phrase ` my bad ' out of curtis hanson 's 8 MOV , you 'd have a silent movie -- and that might be an improvement .", "a decent , american , inspirational , rocky-esque story .", "eminem 's compelling , assured , workaholic performance lifts `` 8 MOV '' above its standard fare convictions .", "8 MOV stands as a deeply flawed excursion harbouring a couple of deep satisfactions .", "by its crowd-pleasing finale , 8 MOV is well on its way to becoming redundant at best and facile at worst .", "eminem proves capable of carrying the lead , at least when the material is tailored to fit . rather than show great range in his first outing , he gives an effective slow burn .", "the payoff comes after an hour and a half of a long , criminally tiresome setup .", "eminem steals the picture from a cast with snap down to the smallest parts .", "8 MOV proves to be a bumpy , but entertaining ride .", "what 's most disappointing is the thoroughly cliched story .", "underwhelming .", "eminem , much to the dismay of his detractors , turns in a rather fine performance in 8 MOV , a flawed film that still manages to make a powerful point .", "both in film and music , he tantalizes us with autobiographical detail while dazzling us with wit , grit , insight , profane humor and mind-boggling wordplay .", "the triumph here is that hanson and screenwriter scott silver have found a fresh way to tell this story .", "funny , well-acted and surprisingly engaging .", "unfortunately , 8 MOV does waste a lot of time dawdling over just about everything else ... until it finally begins to sputter at about the 6 MOV mark .", "8 MOV is entertaining to an extent . our enjoyment is muted because the movie has an agenda .", "8 MOV has an authentic feel that transcends the phenomenon of eminem ; this is a realistic story about a guy trying to use music to escape a dead-end life .", "as a vanity project , the film is more tolerable than purple rain but it 's every bit as obvious and redundant .", "we 've seen these character types before , but through the lens of curtis hanson , we suffer , carouse and dream right along with them .", "even -lsb- eminem 's -rsb- most devoted admirers likely will be surprised by his ability to keenly render and compellingly sustain a character throughout a feature-length film .", "it 's disappointing , sort of like if madonna had released her `` sex '' book without the sex .", "that the final rap battle feels so electrifying rather than merely coming across as the usual rah-rah climax taps directly into the energy emanating from eminem as he gives his character a real presence .", "i have to go back to james dean in elia kazan 's east of eden and nicholas ray 's rebel without a cause in 1955 to find a comparably jolting piece of male aggressiveness coupled with bottled-up vulnerability .", "extremely enjoyable film , with a winning performance from eminem -- essentially this is the hip-hop version of rocky . in a good way .", "eminem manages to take all that we think we know about eminem and inject it into his character without turning the character into a simple screen version of himself .", "the unique format of the motion picture shows how valuable it can be , for what else can be used to so vividly capture the most important element in a story like this -- its cultural setting ?", "eminem proves himself on the big screen with this extremely well-made film loosely based on his own life in innercity detroit .", "eminem gives a focused , intelligent performance .", "not since rocky brought silvester stallone to virtually instant stardom has there been a more effective attempt to repeat the phenomenon .", "tony manero , rocky balboa , eminem . it 's a dazzling debut and an important movie .", "a movie that will satisfy hip-hop and eminem fans in ways they never expected ; even more significantly , it will touch people who thought they hated hip-hop and/or eminem in ways they would have never expected .", "gritty and electrifying .", "o.k. , so i 'm the wrong audience for this teenage junk .", "qualifies as a cinematic event by tapping into the roots of eminem and the fury and feeling that inform his rap .", "rabbit 's story is galvanizing and eminem is a superstar . but hiphop has more and other stories to tell .", "eminem is magnetic playing a version of himself .", "as the center of the movie 's universe , eminem is seriously lacking any sort of gravity that can hold the pieces together . it 's no wonder , then , that 8 MOV falls apart .", "eminem kept his cool , and his new movie was straight dope .", "the dialogue sometimes gets so silly and redundant when trying to push bunny rabbit 's talent that i expected to see waterboy 's rob schneider pop out and shout `` you can do it eminem '' ." ], "summary": "even though the story is overly familiar , there 's enough here for an engaging ride .", "id": "13198" }, { "movie": "whats_love_got_to_do_with_it", "reviews": [ "as a powerhouse showcase for the acting talents of angela bassett and laurence fishburne and as a potent portrayal of wife beating and the emotions that surround it , it 's quite a show .", "the movie makes us all want to stand up and cheer , `` shine on , tina . shine on . ''", "powerful , troubling and ultimately inspiring .", "angela bassett does a good acting job as a person in tina turner 's position , easily winning audience sympathy .", "what 's love got to do with it is a rough-and-tumble show-biz biography that has many of the cliches inherent to this genre . but it also boasts two stunning , oscar-worthy performances .", "it 's a story of pain and courage , uncommonly honest and unflinching , and the next time i hear tina turner singing i will listen to the song in a whole new way .", "fishburne is excellent in a very unsympathetic role . ike turner could so easily have been portrayed as one-dimensional , but the talented fishburne gives this frightened wife-beater some depth .", "angela bassett shakes her tail feather with aplomb and pins down the singer 's gestures with amazing precision . top honours , however , belong to fishburne 's swaggering , savage portrayal of ike .", "as tina turner , angela bassett gives a powerhouse well-deserved oscar-nominated performance , but the biopic has more than its fair share of showbiz cliches .", "a passionate personal and professional drama that hits both the high and low notes of an extraordinary career .", "powerful bio of tina turner with domestic violence , drugs .", "a splashy , volatile , crowd - pleasing rock-star melodrama that makes up in sheer emotional wallop what it sometimes lacks in finesse .", "fishburne and bassett are both extraordinary , and though the story is inevitably slanted to tina 's perspective , fishburne makes ike a complex and compelling presence .", "it 's an astonishing movie , first because despite the pathology of the relationship , it 's not only about victimization ; it 's a celebration of spirit , both religious and human , about a woman who finally found the guts -lrb- and the faith -rrb- to say `` no more . ''", "you do n't have to be a tina turner fan to appreciate this movie , but , regardless of your opinion of her music , what 's love got to do with it can not fail to impart an impression of her courage and inner strength .", "a powerful , joyful , raw , energetically acted bio-pic detailing the joys and pain of the on - and offstage lives of blues rockers ike and tina turner .", "brian gibson , who directed the script by kate lanier , seems to have trouble taking charge of his material as he skips through the years .", "a handsome woman with the lanky appeal of katharine hepburn , bassett brays and bruises with equal effectiveness .", "a melodrama of starry-eyed love and black-eyed beatings , exhausting road tours and the singer 's even harder road to self-realization , the movie contains its emotional highs and lows in the hermetically sealed bio-pic format .", "angela bassett gives a superbly versatile performance as the heroine , and laurence fishburne 's portrayal of ike turner consolidates his status as one of the most expressive and intelligent actors in movies today .", "basset genuinely holds your sympathy as the little country girl anna mae bullock , singing and suffering her way to superstardom and personal liberation , -lsb- and -rsb- fishburne is sensational .", "-lsb- fishburne 's -rsb- performance is the one x factor in what 's love got to do with it , which in most respects is an entertaining if conventional pop star biography .", "their nuanced performances give a spectrum of emotional shadings to a black-and-white script that casts tina as the beauty to ike 's unreconstructed beast .", "a powerful portrait of emotional endurance , propelled by the outstanding performances of bassett and fishburne , both of whom lend a crucial dimension to the gradual redundancies of kate lanier 's otherwise insightful screenplay .", "what ` s love got to do with it is sizzling film fare .", "agreeably camped-up biopic , ringing with righteous sentimentality and brassy defiance , with a furiously good central performance from bassett .", "though the picture rightfully belongs to bassett , a final word must be said about fishburne , who never fails to make ike seem human if not defensible . even in defeat , he is remarkably compelling .", "fishburne 's astonishing portrayal of ike is what holds the movie together . the actor builds , in precise increments , a devastating portrait of a macho control freak ; he even finds a kind of ghastly humor in the character 's madness .", "angela bassett is a wonderfully sympathetic screen presence who may have a big career ahead of her .", "depressing but also terrific . bassett stuns .", "angela bassett , despite bearing little physical resemblance to the singer , is very convincing in her role . her partner laurence fishburne is even more impressive ...", "this biography of rock diva tina turner 's turbulent life is filled with energetic musical numbers and emotionally charged moments , all anchored by two outstanding lead performances .", "could have been a made for tv movie but elevated by the work of bassett and fishburne .", "incendiary performances by fishburne and bassett .", "the perfect combination of stellar turns and sensational music", "a revealing musical melodrama that shakes as radically as soulful tina turner 's sweet hips . both bassett and fishburne deliver energetic , oscar-worthy performances !", "the brilliant , mercurial portrayal of ike turner by laurence fishburne is what elevates what 's love got to do with it beyond the realm of run-of-the-mill biography .", "a celebrity biopic rendered with heartfelt respect ; it never shies away from the ugliness in turner 's life , but neither does it exploit it for cheap emotional effect .", "both stars deserved their oscar nominations for virtually carrying a picture that looks and sounds great , but is a little oversimplified dramatically ." ], "summary": "with a fascinating real-life story and powerhouse performances from angela bassett and laurence fishburne , what 's love got to do with it ? is a ca n't miss biopic .", "id": "13236" }, { "movie": "replacements", "reviews": [ "the games , while plenty rowdy and profane , are n't very realistic .", "seems longer than a rainy super bowl .", "a new low in the career of director howard deutch .", "there is n't a rocky-esque clich\u00e9 the film does n't tackle , throw gasping to the ground and flog to death .", "mind-achingly mediocre in every regard .", "achieving the dull veneer of your standard tv movie shot on the backlots of burbank , the MOV lets hackman work at about one-fourth his talent level . that still gives him a big lead over reeves .", "the game scenes have little coherence or momentum .", "so thick with cliches that it 's almost suffocating .", "the joke about the cheerleaders recruited from a strip club is funny at first but gets musty the ninth time it 's repeated .", "the MOV does have its moments . there just are n't enough of them .", "reeves shows as much emotion as a baked potato .", "the MOV tries to set some kind of record for regurgitating sports movie cliches faster than any film that 's run before .", "the MOV , as with just about everything else coming out of hollywood , merely reconfigures the same predictable gross-out jokes , sentimental platitudes , and decorative sex that figure into half the screenplays in circulation .", "it 's a puppy-dog of a movie : not worth much , but at times quite amusing and always trying its darnedest to please you .", "there are good sports movies , indifferent sports movies , and bad sports movies . the MOV in nestled somewhere between the latter two .", "it 's like a standard sports movie , but with every point made twice or three times -- as if we 'd never seen one before .", "a deep sea of clich\u00e9s and stereotypes .", "comes off like an amateur production .", "the incisive , close up photography by the sixth sense 's tak fujimoto outclasses the story by yards .", "i could 've sworn i 'd seen keanu reeves running around in a football helmet before , but i could n't find the film on his resume .", "director howard deutch drops the ball , trying to pass off a derivative hodgepodge of clich\u00e9s as escapist entertainment .", "how do you respect a film whose idea of jock jam is i will survive ?", "it is a giggle here at the testosterone posturing , and a chuckle there at the goofy cheerleader tryouts .", "the MOV deserves replacement as quickly as possible .", "just like a low-budget football comedy , only with money .", "the jokes are fusty and/or unpleasant .", "a soggy comedy .", "plenty of red meat here but also so much script rot that both ought to be recalled by the fda .", "a hokey mistake of a football film .", "a barely coherent comedy .", "it 's kind of predictable , but the acting is good and mckewin 's script is a hoot .", "one of the most enjoyable entertainments of the summer .", "the film is a smooth and polished product .", "a frankly formulaic but agreeably funny comedy .", "it 's as american as apple pie .", "it 's just plain good fun , good solid dialogue peppered with plenty of grins , and a lot of football action .", "has no real surprises , but the audience has fun .", "an agreeably and unapologetically lightweight late-summer blockbuster .", "hardly a landmark in the annals of pigskin cinema . but for sports fans seeking relief from a lackluster summer of baseball , even this sloppy exercise can evoke a needed chuckle or two .", "for a movie with no surprises in it , the MOV manages to be a fun experience .", "the MOV is a bad movie , but a likable one .", "football flick has a great lineup , but fumbles the ball .", "... what we have here is your basic feelgood comedy about scabs . .", "wearing the same blank expression that 's become his trademark , reeves proves that after 15 years in movies he still ca n't deliver a joke .", "average lighthearted entertainment ... to be queued up more than normal in the coming months with a potential nfl lockout and strike looming", "there is n't a football cliche `` the MOV '' does n't tackle , but its all-star cast and easygoing approach make it one of the more enjoyable recent sports comedies .", "at least the ending does n't cop out . there is no big happy ending where everyone gets a pro football gig or a big nike ad campaign .", "lightweight but likeable football story .", "plenty of smartly-choreographed gridiron drama , as well locker-room laughs .", "there is n't a single bone of originality in its entire 110-minute running time , yet it just almost works out of sheer force of will .", "this negligible comedy might as well come with a bouncing ball so members of the audience can recite the dialogue along with the actors .", "howard deutch keeps this archetypal hollywood movie humming along with predictable comic bits and the antics of its colorful characters .", "silly , diverting .", "the MOV does n't amount to much , but it 's hard not to feel rather fond of it .", "i dare you not to enjoy it .", "often entertaining despite itself , thanks mostly to a screenful of surprisingly engaging performances .", "a real crowd pleaser in spite of being as predictable as a modern-day national political convention .", "surprisingly likable .", "it 's hard not to cheer for a film so confident it can win the day with a third-rate script and the matrix 's fascinatingly untalented keanu reeves leading the team .", "an engaging cast makes the the comic scenes work .", "the MOV is pretty good when it sticks to comedy . unfortunately , it does n't .", "a retread of an oft-used hollywood plot .", "an entertaining game , but strictly minor league .", "the epitome of predictable .", "do n't be fooled . the movie is bad -- very , very bad .", "you can write the script yourself , just think nursery school . then simplify .", "relentlessly mediocre .", "utilizing state-of-the-art methods in the science of statistics , i have determined there will be virtually no audience for the MOV .", "is dang near the worst picture in hackman 's lengthy -- and fairly spotty -- resume .", "it 's almost entirely indistinguishable from every other sports movie ever made .", "there 's nothing to distinguish it from the pack of sports comedies and feel-good underdog stories .", "for a movie as predictable as the MOV , it offers an astonishingly funny , well crafted story line capturing the visceral pounding of football .", "the football games are a hoot .", "despite a cliched set-up , a politically incorrect position on a labor dispute and predictable action on the playing field , it comes out a winner .", "a good , solid field goal of a film .", "you wo n't take much home with you , but it 's fun while it lasts .", "better-than-average .", "entirely predictable but utterly entertaining .", "a winner in its self-proclaimed minor league .", "the replacement players are having a blast with their brief moment on the stage , and we are vicariously enjoying it with them .", "this film works .", "a haphazard film about half as sophisticated as the average beer commercial .", "you will watch this movie and find it so familiar , you 'll think you wrote it .", "recycled humor -- and recycled heart -- from a host of former sports dramedies dating back to the bad news bears .", "a field goal , not a touchdown .", "a shabby patchwork of a film , one that lip-synchs it 's way through an old and timeworn situation without any attempt to add something new or interesting .", "settles for mere fluff when a solid sports film could feature all the bone-crushing body crunches while still investigating real issues .", "a pretty anemic piece of work .", "while there 's plenty in this movie that 's mildly funny , the MOV is nothing more than a high school romp .", "the setting of the MOV is professional football but its intellectual context is high school .", "what could have been a good football comedy does n't even meet the level of personal fave ` wildcats ' , or even the more recent ` varsity blues ' ." ], "summary": "the cliched characters and obvious outcome make all the fun and excitement amount to nothing .", "id": "10271" }, { "movie": "revenge_of_the_nerds", "reviews": [ "the real secret of this movie 's success lies in the charm of its leading men .", "okay teen comedy , but nothing special .", "compared to most of today 's gross-out extravaganzas ... this exceedingly upbeat saga seems almost wholesome .", "a teen-sex comedy with a brain !", "a low-caloric comedy .", "it was an 80 's thing .", "MOV does n't do much for movies or nerds .", "the ultimate 80 's teen comedy ... carradine and edwards are gut-bustingly hilarious !", "hope for 4-eyed computer experts who let their mother 's dress them .", "one of the landmark tits and ass films of the eighties , and surprisingly a comedy with a lot of humor and even some heart .", "this funny movie is about 10 rungs above the usual teenage-college films .", "even as a summer throwaway , this college comedy about nerds , those born-to-be-victimized souls , is pitifully thin .", "the kind of movie you saw on video when it was still forbidden fruit and loved it , only to find it much uglier with the rose-colored glasses removed .", "it 's clear , too , that the movie 's almost complete dearth of laughs plays a significant role in its downfall ...", "the underlying intelligence of director jeff kanew glimmers through at times , and is reflected in a couple of nice performances .", "if you 've seen porky 's , animal house , d.c. cab , or police academy , you 've seen nerds . and if you liked the prototypes , you 'll like the latest of the genre , low humor and all -- belching , mooning , panty raids , peeping at girls and booger jokes .", "it 's one of the great unfathomable mysteries of hollywood that this unspeakably awful comedy was successful enough to spawn no less than three -lrb- count 'em -rrb- sequels .", "there is a theory that every hollywood star has a turkey or two in their closet , so today , step forward anthony edwards , star of the hit tv series er .", "works mainly for the hilarious script , and very unique characters that are able to connect with audiences .", "advances an interesting pro-diversity agenda : the ` nerds ' are n't just brainy geeks but outcasts , including a flamboyant gay black man . -lrb- when big block letters that spell nerds are set on fire outside the nerd house , you 're reminded of burning crosses . -rrb-", "racy college comedy has heart ; ok for older teens .", "the nerds perpetuate a nasty streak of behavior toward women that violates the film 's general live-and-let-live attitude , and it stains what is otherwise intended as raunchy but lighthearted fun .", "simple-minded romp about a group of freshmen outcasts does n't qualify for the dean 's list , but MOV shows more than enough smarts to deserve passing grades .", "although the time period may feel ambiguous , its message of everyone feeling like an outsider and just wanting to belong , is universal .", "it 's got everything for this kind of film % u2013 nudity , sex , swearing and dirty jokes .", "somewhere in all the fluff and garbage is just enough heart to make MOV one of the forefathers of a generation of light-hearted comedies like american pie , american pie 2 and american wedding .", "the best t & a teen comedy", "a questionable classic at best .", "pocket-protector fans , unite ! some funny moments .", "the only worthy successor to animal house .", "a classic example of the teen comedies that dominated the 1980s . it 's not particularly smart , but it 's still a good time .", "the conflation of discriminated-against minorities and discriminated-against nerds is something of an uneasy pairing , but it does bring out the fact that predjudice is prejudice , no matter who it 's aimed at or for what reason ." ], "summary": "undeniably lowbrow but surprisingly sly , MOV has enough big laughs to qualify as a minor classic in the slobs-vs . - snobs subgenre .", "id": "142470458" }, { "movie": "i_am_love", "reviews": [ "it 's a bold experiment rooted in tradition . it plays like smart opera and looks like a marriage of poetic documentary with classical european drama .", "tilda swinton could rivet us by reading the telephone book .", "it 's melodramatic stuff , but it 's beautifully filmed and swinton is outstanding .", "tilda swinton unleashes her diva and italian cinema gets a powerful new voice in this operatic melodrama .", "with her vividly otherworldly and almost extra-terrestrial screen presence , swinton is perfectly cast in this elegant , if over-determined and slightly desiccated piece of cinema .", "tilda swinton is ridiculously enjoyable to watch in the italian drama MOV , dressed in colours you want to drink , and exploring her puzzled , porcelain allure in ways that make the screen fairly quiver .", "a lavish italian melodrama with echoes of the godfather and the leopard , MOV is sweeping , operatic and more than a little silly .", "one of the most beautiful pieces of cinema we 've seen in a good while", "this lavish italian melodrama has had festival crowds and critics cooing , but it 's hard to see what all the fuss is about beyond the luscious visuals and american composer john adams 's off-kilter score .", "a bold approach to both story and themes makes this film deeply involving and utterly unforgettable . but it 's rather oblique about its themes , so whether you like it or not will depend on how deeply you let it engulf you .", "swinton triumphs .", "though intelligently constructed , the film never could excite me or get me to care that much about any of the characters .", "swinton saves the day .", "daytime television serials such as `` the young and the restless '' and `` days of our lives '' are more adept at telling an attention-grabbing story with interesting subplots and complex characters that you can either love or . .", "a film i was n't waiting for by a filmmaker i was unaware of just shows up and blows me away . i like that .", "exaggerated yet elegant , opulent and sensual , it 's a leisurely-paced european art-house melodrama that 's made its way into the cineplex .", "gorgeous , utterly ravishing cinematic wallpaper", "despite a superb cast and a fabulous look , the picture collapses under the weight of its lofty pretensions , especially in the black hole of the last act , where it topples into near-absurdity .", "with MOV , italian director luca guadagnino waits almost an entire hour before letting the plot get into gear . depending on your patience , this is either the shrewdest or most foolish thing he could have done .", "a foreign import whose initially chilly demeanor will melt away for any viewer willing to stick with it .", "luca guadagnino 's lopsided film plods along in the first hour then plows through the climax .", "beautifully directed and superbly written , this is an extremely stylish melodrama that packs a powerful emotional punch thanks to a terrific central performance from tilda swinton .", "i am bored .", "MOV is such a lush , deeply textured banquet of sights and sounds that it deserves more than a movie review .", "if you are fascinated by how movies convey meaning , and if you get off on wondering , `` why did the director show me that ? '' and `` what 's the camera doing there ? '' you will be astonished by how jam-packed this daring , gorgeous movie is .", "in an american film , you live the story . in a european one , you 're an outsider looking in . ah , but what a beautiful view .", "it 's yet another variation on the `` loveless middle-aged woman finds happiness in the arms of a younger man , '' a trope of melodrama and television soap operas .", "a pall of deadly self-indulgence spreads as the story moves from operatic passion to soap-opera melodrama . it 's as if director luca guadagnino filmed a synopsis of the script rather than a fully realized screenplay .", "the visual depiction of the ecstatic .", "the best sex you will get all year , if that 's what you crave in your moviegoing , is between tilda swinton and a prawn .", "you have an actress that plays just every moment for keeps without milking it .", "luca guadagnino did just a wonderful job of conveying this woman 's emotional gathering storm .", "how do you say , ` i am lust ' in italian ?", "a cinematic repast so delicious that one can only stand back in awe at its sheer artistry and hail it as a masterpiece .", "ponderous from beginning to end .", "swinton makes short work of stuff like this . without her , guadagnino would not have a movie , but that 's reason enough to be glad he does .", "a wondrous anomaly .", "overblown , european , operatic , indulgent , patently absurd and somewhat wondrous , MOV works for one reason and one reason alone : tilda swinton .", "there is never a moment the viewer is n't on edge ; so much tension mounts over the film 's two-hour running time , the entire audience literally gasped as the end credits began .", "`` MOV '' is undeniably soap opera , especially when it takes an operatic third-act turn , but it is soap opera of a high order .", "guadagnino salts his film with deliberate anachronisms , and mixes up his cinematic styles , so you 're never sure what is coming next .", "swinton 's nuanced , aching performance is downright revelatory .", "cinematographer yorick le saux 's elegant images of buildings -- stony exteriors , lux interiors -- and weather-worn statuary suggest centuries-old tradition but also invite a meditative or appreciative silence .", "despite its flaws -- including an oddly unwieldy finish -- this is an epic project , crafted with intimate precision .", "bold , weird , and a little stalkerish in its intensity , luca guadagnino 's third feature is an open cinematic buffet , as ready to satisfy as it is to displease , depending on your taste and appetite .", "words like `` lush '' and `` gorgeous '' do n't even begin to scratch the surface in describing MOV , italian director luca guadagnino 's retro-styled melodrama .", "the moment when tilda tastes the prawns prepared for her by the studly bearded soulful chef guy is a deliriously high art moment of food equalling sex .", "`` depicts the events at hand with bold cinematic flourishes , resulting in a movie specifically attuned to the powers of the medium '' .", "i got into a bit of an intellectual tussle last night with a fellow critic who was absolutely stunned to hear me insist that damn straight , i certainly could condemn a movie for its morals .", "tilda swinton is a daring actress who does n't project emotions so much as embody them . MOV provides an ideal role for her , in that her actions speak instead of words .", "MOV is somewhat a case of style over substance but at least that style is rich enough for it not to matter .", "it is not to everyone 's taste . but if you like the lush film operas of rainer werner fassbinder , douglas sirk , or luchino visconti , this one 's for you .", "it 's hokey , but it 's also alive and unique , and probably a must for fans of swinton , and who is n't one of those ?", "the characters seem reasonably interesting , and so we continue to watch them . but at no point do we care about them any more than we might care about attractive strangers sitting at another table in a restaurant .", "MOV , easily one of the most sensual films i have ever seen , is ravishing , an operatic melodrama of stunning beauty and luxuriant texture .", "this is a beautiful film , moving , stylish with a sensual romance at its heart .", "gloriously melodramatic , MOV is an opulent delight .", "despite an elegant and impressive visual style , the narrative of this slow-paced film is uninteresting and full of clich\u00e9 .", "like its central character , it moves with its heart better than with its head . how much you enjoy it , will depend on which you choose to follow .", "MOV is n't just a bedazzlement to the eyes and ears . it 's a feast -- or maybe just a small but divine dish of prawns -- for the soul .", "MOV is a raving piece of filmmaking but its technical beauty is in the service of a story that too often feels clich\u00e9d and contrived .", "one of the most visually stunning films of the year -lsb- but -rsb- from an emotional perspective the narrative falls flat .", "it 's not self-consciously arty . each shot and cut seems designed for a specific emotional impact .", "the grand architecture of milan and the icy rhythms of composer john adams set the tone for this elegant italian drama about the suffocating power of family , wealth , and tradition .", "a high class soap opera", "... a frustratingly uneven bit of over-the-top filmmaking ...", "the marriage of music and image seldom gets better than this .", "anybody who wants to experience cinema at its most cinematic and grand should rush and experience it for themselves . it is a truly stunning motion picture and one that ranks as the best film 2010 has so far offered .", "the predictable end , which comes with an abruptness that feels altogether too constructed , completes the fantasy of transgression that 's at the heart of the movie 's appeal , however elaborate the trappings .", "though a flimsy melodrama -- so overdone that it often collapses under filmmaker luca guadagnino 's ineffable sense of bloat -- swinton saves the day .", "tilda swinton shines in overcooked melodrama .", "for me the obvious attempts at enhancing lushness , rapture , and emotional swings were not connecting . i could n't help noticing it was trying too hard .", "tilda swinton is both imperious and vulnerable ... in this lush romantic melodrama that harks back to the heady days of visconti and antonioni .", "the film is almost deliriously stylish , which helps mask the silliness . but the bellowing music , by john adams , is infuriatingly intrusive -- which undoes the visual good .", "elegantly directed and exquisitely photographed , the movie is a triumph , and so is -lsb- swinton -rsb- .", "worthy of visconti , the movie spells out the end of a family 's glory days ; it 's the impress-your-date film of the summer .", "swinton always attempts bold milestones , but MOV makes one long to go back to the old landmarks .", "... a european melodrama drunk on its own artistry . the mix of swinton 's cool and guadagnino 's fire makes for a unique cinematic experience .", "what keeps the story fresh is n't so much guadagnino 's swooning sense-reveries , which sometimes flow with dreamlike wonder and sometimes just drag ; instead , most of the power comes from swinton ...", "so thoroughly indulging in baroque aesthetic gestures -lrb- especially with regards to the intrusive , overcooked score -rrb- that the film becomes a flamboyant caricature of itself .", "like -lsb- tilda -rsb- swinton 's performance , MOV is a bit of a show-off .", "luca guadagnino 's visually ravishing third feature suggests an epic that visconti and sirk might have made after they finished watching vertigo and reading madame bovary while gorging themselves on aphrodisiacs .", "while you revel and bask in the beauty and elegance of his mise-en-sc\u010dne , you wish director luca guadagnino had given as much care to his characters ' development .", "there 's no getting around the fact that this is elegant soap opera , . it wo n't appeal to every taste . but it 's sensational to look at , powerfully acted , and delivers a bang for the emotional buck .", "i 'm calling ` MOV ' the best movie of the year to date ; a companion viewer called it ` repulsive ' ... does one opinion invalidate the other ? the movie is complex enough to invite such questions , and rich enough to resist answers .", "you get the feeling guadagnino wanted to send the same thrill up the spine of jaded modern moviegoers that audiences got at the movies a half-century ago , and in this `` MOV '' succeeds wildly .", "the highest praise is that it lives up to its extravagant title", "grandiose family drama packed with rich scenery , stirring performances and comprehensive camerawork - if only the rest was n't so boring .", "... there are times that guadagnino 's symbolic imagery takes on the risible baroqueness of an extremely well-made duran duran video . yet through it all , swinton is impeccable , and maybe ostentatiously brave .", "full review at movies for the masses", "when the picture ends in full-blown , melodramatic , raise-the-roof fortissimo , we realise everything that had come before -lrb- the highs and the lows -rrb- was a tantric tease of a crescendo , leading up to an almighty finale .", "i am not a fan of romantic movies but MOV dives into its romance with such reckless abandon and such an over the top affection for cinema that i could not resist .", "MOV is like an impressionist painting , an artwork of thoughtful brushstrokes , each one adding a richness to the overall effect", "there 's always been something otherworldly about swinton , and the director captures her woman-who-fell-to-earth exoticism .", "swinton is one of the finest actresses working in contemporary cinema , but guadagnino , who developed the project with her in mind , has created a film that literally luxuriates in her talents .", "the splendid photography and tempestuous john adams score can not quite conceal that the film is uncomfortably close to being an extravagantly elongated , fendi-clad episode of dynasty .", "a stunning achievement .", "swinton carries guadagnino 's risky , ambitious melodrama .", "by the end of this often soaringly beautiful melodrama , which closes with a funeral , emma 's face will have crumpled into a ruin . but it will also be fully alive , having been granted , like pygmalion 's statue , the breath of life .", "exhilarating .", "tilda swinton gives an intelligent , compelling performance that elevates this sumptuously mounted european art film way above its melodramatic trappings .", "in a modern filmic sea too often characterized by superfluousness and apathy , MOV is something of a miracle .", "a stylish and erotic italian drama about the sensuous and sexual awakening of a middle-aged trophy wife .", "the screenplay is spare but yorick le saux 's cinematography and guadagnino 's precise , imaginative direction speak for it , as does the chugging and vaguely threatening music of john adams .", "exquisite parts of locations , set decoration , costumes , and editorial gymnastics , but to absorb it all in one single sit requires a heroic , possibly superhuman patience that i 'm not convinced guadagnino has earned .", "sumptuous , overheated , and ridiculous , love is a visual delight -- the opening montage of a snowy milan alone make it worthwhile", "MOV is a bold and thrilling masterpiece -- the introduction of a major talent to the world 's stage .", "beautiful . that 's the word that most appropriately sums up MOV % u2013 the film is a portrait of beautiful people in beautiful surroundings , and it has been beautifully made .", "the movie is n't flawless -- a bizarre post-credits bit is nigh-impossible to make out -- but -lsb- guadagnino 's -rsb- skill with visual poetry makes a strong impression .", "operatic in scope , luca guadagnino 's mesmerizing MOV chronicles the carryings-on of an aristocratic italian family from one grand meal to another .", "its central story and its tributaries are rich enough to overcome much of the director 's odd and arguably unmotivated catalogue of visual and aural trickery .", "bold , thrilling , and undeniably sensuous melodrama uncannily invokes the pleasures of smell , taste , and touch ... everything dances here : the camera , the colors , tilda 's eyes , even pollinating bees during a sumptuously shot sex scene .", "tilda swinton again proves herself one of the great actresses of her generation .", "MOV falls into the select category of films that are easier to admire than like .", "this intense and almost operatic italian family melodrama recalls the best of douglas sirk .", "the overripe ending , heated by the percolating music of john adams , is heavy seasoning on a delicate dish .", "swinton is incredible .", "MOV is a handsomely mounted , structurally sophisticated and richly atmospheric cultural artifact that portrays how even dizzying luxury can not protect one from the consequences of one 's actions .", "if you 're not in the mood , the whole thing will probably seem pretty silly . but if you are -- oh , if you are -- MOV may be the richest , tastiest truffle you 're likely to savor all summer .", "an intimate , quiet and even slow movie , its subtle shadings veil turbulent emotions .", "-lsb- swinton -rsb- keeps the film from becoming a glorified evening spent with a coffee table book , a playlist heavy on the symphonic stuff and some olive garden leftovers .", "the more heightened the emotions become , the more the movie feels like a magazine spread rather than an involving story .", "a glorious epic that feels a little bit like luchino visconti 's the leopard by way of paul thomas anderson 's magnolia" ], "summary": "it stumbles into melodrama , but MOV backs up its flamboyance with tremendous visual style and a marvelous central performance from tilda swinton .", "id": "770817666" }, { "movie": "1053779-mask", "reviews": [ "carrey is the ultimate party dude , and like the masked man says , this party is smokin ' .", "in the end , those viewers who are n't big fans of carrey , diaz , or comic books probably wo n't miss much if they do n't watch this film .", "cg overkill salvaged by carrey 's maniacal performance .", "despite everything , it 's still a marvellously energetic movie .", "a wacky and eye-popping -lrb- literally -rrb- combination of live-action comedy and computer animation .", "even without the state-of-the-art , boundary-busting computerized effects from industrial light & magic , carrey 's a human cartoon , and his spontaneous , avery-esque , anything-for-a-laugh outrageousness makes this otherwise blank MOV a must-see .", "does n't have any more material than a tex avery cartoon .", "carrey has yet to find the perfect vehicle for himself , but the MOV , while hardly as fantastic as it should have been , is a step in the right direction .", "the results are easy to watch , though awfully familiar and simpleminded .", "though the story has a certain universal appeal -- who has n't felt like a useless jerk and wished to wake up capable of anything ? -- the execution is oddly sour and distasteful .", "adroitly directed , viscerally and visually dynamic and just plain fun .", "the MOV is highly enjoyable -- if you can bear carrey 's constant tics and mugging .", "cartoony fun with a bombastic jim carrey .", "the design is bright as a button and the transformation scenes real eye-poppers , but the film 's best special effect is putty-faced carrey with his razzle-dazzle star turn as the affable stanley and his manic alter ego .", "-lsb- it -rsb- would n't have been possible without jim carrey , who commands the physically demanding lead role with exuberant confidence .", "this special effects extravaganza is s good star vehicle for jim carrey , exhibiting his skills and his shticks ; in a small part , the sexy cameron diaz is bound to become a leading lady .", "exuberant fun .", "a highly imaginative film .", "as a comedy , the MOV is genial , but its recycled plot is far too thin for the film to succeed as either an adventure or a spoof .", "the MOV would be a loud dud without jim carrey 's unique talents .", "depends entirely on your tolerance for carrey .", "the story is unoriginal and dull , and the direction does n't break anything .", "gimmicky , tiresome , and without any redeeming qualities . diaz is nothing more than a pretty , smiling face .", "who was that masked pet detective ?", "you 're kidding ? you mean carrey had assistance from cg ? man , i thought that was all just him .", "carrey was born to play this role !", "a wild movie and a dazzling debut by cameron diaz", "bright-eyed , crazily intense , irrepressibly silly , mr. carrey can be funny without fireworks . he deserves material clever enough to let him do just that .", "though a bit slow in the in-betweens -lrb- you might get a somewhat antsy -rrb- , the MOV is a cute clean film for the whole family .", "a sloppy but entertaining film thanks to", "not only is he adept at physical humor , the kind of knockabout stuff that recalls the classic silent clowns , but carrey also has a bright and likable screen presence , a lost puppy quality that is surprisingly endearing .", "if a movie star was born in ace ventura , he is christened in the MOV . quite simply , this is the best and freest crazy comedy to come along since beetlejuice .", "carrey , the star of the surprising hit ace ventura : pet detective and a regular on tv 's in living color , acquits himself well in a part of sublime goofiness .", "carrey and his aggressive overbite are back , but this time he 's better used as an ingredient instead of as the plot .", "the gangland plot is flimsy -lrb- bad guy peter greene wears too much eyeliner -rrb- , and the jokes are erratic , but it 's a far better showcase for carrey 's comic-from-uranus talent than ace ventura .", "when his face turns green and his limbs get limber , carrey 's pretty much unstoppable . this cartoon-y creation is an amazing fusion of physical comedy and state-of-the - art cinema illusion .", "adults should also be advised that the previews show most of the good effects , and are 100 minutes shorter .", "carrey may be the finest comic to come along since robin williams .", "... a kind of roger rabbit on steroids that still holds up well after all these years .", "carrey now has the clout to find a vehicle worthy of his hyperactive gooniness . when he does , we 'll see if he 's truly a jester for our time or simply the moron of the moment .", "the MOV is a perfect vehicle for the talents of jim carrey , who underwhelmed me with ace ventura , pet detective but here seems to have found a story and character that work together with manic energy ." ], "summary": "it misses perhaps as often as it hits , but jim carrey 's manic bombast , cameron diaz ' blowsy appeal , and the film 's overall cartoony bombast keep the MOV afloat .", "id": "11568" }, { "movie": "gonzo-the-life-and-work-of-dr-hunter-s-thompson", "reviews": [ "gonzo is a fascinating history lesson and a bit of a cautionary tale about how fame can turn into the scourge of talent .", "the documentary doubles as a jukebox of banality .", "it 's more thompson-for-beginners than an exhaustive inquiry , but as introductions go , it 's thorough and thoughtful .", "my favorite thing about alex gibney 's entertaining documentary , gonzo : the life and work of dr. hunter s. thomspon , is that it makes me want to read what thompson wrote .", "doctor 's orders : `` buy the ticket , take the ride '' with gonzo .", "gonzo is a painstaking account of a man who was more and , ultimately , less than the infamous raoul duke .", "may not be the definitive doc for which thompson 's fans may be hoping , but it is a worthy contribution to the ongoing popular legend of a distinctive american personality .", "alex gibney 's documentary ca n't decide if it 's a eulogy for fans or a primer for acquaintances .", "it is all you could wish for in a doc about the man . but it leaves you wondering , how was it that so many people liked this man who does not seem to have liked himself ? and what about the hangovers ?", "gibney also wants to honor what it was that made thompson a celebrity in the first place : his brilliant , blotto writing , and his ability to smell out the liars and the hypocrites and expose them for the feral beasts that they were .", "gonzo shows the man , warts and all .", "neatly balancing full-hearted celebration with evenhanded examination .", "an amused and affectionate look at the writer who formed a crucial link between the new journalism of the 1960s and today 's blogosphere .", "i was curious to see why we needed a two-hour documentary about the three-hit wonder who cast away his career halfway through life and coasted on celebrity status for 30 years . after seeing gonzo , i 'm still not convinced we do .", "reading his books will give you better insight , but it 's hard to imagine a better primer into thompson 's outlaw life .", "-lsb- director -rsb- gibney assembles a wealth of thompson memorabilia and first-person interviews for this often insightful and sometimes overly indulgent chronicle .", "if you really want to understand and appreciate -lsb- thompson -rsb- , you 'd be better off reading his books .", "it 's nice to be reminded , as shakespeare taught us , that truth comes from the most unexpected places , even the booze-ree", "thompson created a rebellious niche for himself in a business that more often than you might think channels its writers into conformist routine .", "at its worst , the film takes a long detour into thompson 's admiration for an utterly banal 1974 carter speech -lrb- the powerful were sticking it to the people again -rrb- as a way to make us feel virtuous , political and leftish .", "another fine addition to gibney 's filmography that successfully achieves its purposes , despite the extended tangent into the '72 election that almost derails it .", "for all of its illumination of one of the most enigmatic figures in american literature , `` gonzo '' mistakenly paints hunter s. thompson as a writer whose star burned out decades before his long foreshadowed suicide in 2005 .", "gonzo is a must-see for everyone .", "while the evidence of his spotty post-1970s work is hard to refute , gonzo proves what a vapid , overvalued commodity edginess is , championing thompson 's best work for brass-tacks insight more than brass-balled outrage .", "just enough relevancy to lift the cable-ready doc above the biography norm , even though the filmmaking could 've used a little more of thompson 's renegade spirit .", "multiple phantasmagorical scenes from fear and loathing in las vegas often reduce gonzo to an over-spiced pudding of pastiche and talking heads . matters are hardly helped with some cloying musical interludes .", "in its fairly straightforward but energetic way it captures a good deal of what made thompson a unique figure ... revealing , honest and -- most of all -- genuinely engaging .", "gonzo : the life and work of dr. hunter s. thompson is a valuable reclamation of the political from the personal .", "the documentary , narrated by johnny depp , keeps the action moving along , even when there are only audio recording or still photos available to illustrate points - it 's visually arresting as well as attention-grabbing .", "the good doctor is family around these parts , so cheers to alex gibney for not screwing up this mesmerizing documentary about the people , places and substances that altered the mind and battered heart of the kentucky-born inventor of gonzo journalism .", "accessible , entertaining and hugely kinetic , packed with memorable songs from bob dylan , jimi hendrix and many more icons of thompson 's era .", "it 's a fond warts-and-all portrait of a writer who stands alongside jack kerouac and walt whitman as an american original .", "watching gonzo , it 's hard to like thompson much , but even harder not to be dazzled by his talent .", "gonzo : the life and work of dr. hunter s. thompson is a mesmerizing look at the mythic quality and anarchic spirit of the irreverent and rabble-rousing journalist .", "gonzo , the documentary by alex gibney , taps the full fascination of its subject : dr. hunter s. thompson .", "gonzo : the life and work of dr. hunter s. thompson , is documentarian alex gibney 's effort to present that fellow in all his quirks , contradictions and , yes , foibles . if you know nothing about the writer , this can be an absorbing work .", "while gonzo makes a familiar case , that thompson frequently lost himself in celebrity , it also argues for his legacy , not cynicism but optimism .", "` gonzo ' banks on an adolescent delight in seeing the debunking of the powers that be , but , like thompson 's run for office , that 's of no help in the final tally .", "a dense but enthralling biography that manages to keep its focus on the rolling stone journalist while exploring gibney 's political obsession at the same time .", "... runs two hours , but , thanks to gibney and his contributors , it never feels overlong .", "crackingly entertaining documentary .", "thompson must be looking down , or up , from his afterworld thinking : `` the worst success is a failure to keep alive the spirit of offendedness and outrage . ''", "this soft-headed hagiography is a disappointment , and at least half an hour too long .", "gibney says the film took so much out of him that he limped into the sundance festival with a ruptured disc , a green liver and spots in his eyes that will not disappear . i hope he now thinks it worth the trouble . i 'm pretty sure watchers will .", "this documentary about his life by alex gibney , though entertaining in many ways , is oddly uninterested in his strengths or otherwise as a writer , the very gift for which thompson earnestly wished to be known .", "director alex gibney has plundered 200 hours of audiotapes , hundreds of photos and personal testimony from an impressive roster of thompson 's colleagues and family to put together an even-handed portrait .", "a straight-line journey through the good doctor 's loopy myth and madness , but one that does n't push far enough into uncharted territory . fine as a primer , but gibney leans more towards admiration than examination .", "the film is content to laugh affectionately at thompson 's bad boy exploits , giggle at the impatience of a man who went hunting boar with a sub machine-gun .", "superbly directed , hugely entertaining documentary that 's a treat for both newcomers and aficionados of thompson 's work .", "with a wealth of archive material , documentary filmmaker gibney assembles a remarkably astute and comprehensive look at the life of one of the most notorious journalists in american history .", "never really lives up to its title .", "a biographical documentary does n't get any better than this .", "gonzo is as energetically flawed and rivetingly reckless as its subject , and somehow that seems exactly right .", "hunter s. thompson gets definitive docu treatment in gonzo .", "it is at once a celebration of a genre-busting writer/rabble-rouser , and an elegy for a time period when a freak like thompson could get access to political leaders and actually affect some kind of radical change .", "its heady mix of excess and inquiry does n't really take off until the reptiles overrunning the casino strip go from projections of a substance-lubricated brain to manifestations of journalistic fury .", "over the course of its 118 minutes , the film delves into enough uncomfortable , tantalizing mix-and-match material that even dr. gonzo might have approved .", "docu walks a fine line between critical evaluation and mythic canonization of thompson , but it sheds significant light on the emergence of new journalistic style and on the power of reporters to set the political agenda and cause social change .", "a tender , even-tempered elegy to a writer who at his peak could ingest staggering -lrb- literally -rrb- amounts of drugs and alcohol and transform , like popeye after a can of spinach , into a superhuman version of himself .", "... a film that preserves thompson 's words verbatim but only occasionally taps into the restless spirit that fueled them .", "as informative as parts of it are , the movie is not nearly as colorful as longtime aspen , colo. , resident thompson .", "though thompson 's long slide into irrelevance in the 80s and 90s is duly noted , most of the movie covers his glory days during the vietnam era , when he was arguably the most exciting and important literary talent in america .", "thompson admirers will enjoy the film the most , of course , but even the uninitiated will surely find him a fascinating character , if not always a likable one .", "filmmaker alex gibney had access to those who knew the guy , the famous , the infamous and the obscure , and he paints a picture of a serious journalist who saw himself documenting ` the death of the american dream . '", "far more insightful than typical rose-colored-glasses eulogizing , the subjects are as brutally honest about thompson 's successes and shortcomings as thompson was as a writer .", "it 's altogether as fascinating as a train wreck , and gibney makes a convincing argument that thompson was a true american original and an important literary figure shaped by the idealism , romanticism , politics and drug culture of the '60s .", "in the manner of such key thompson works as ` fear and loathing on the campaign trail ' 72 , ' the movie links entertaining personal biography with fascinating cultural history ...", "as a diverting documentary , gonzo lives up to its subject matter - it is indulgent and witty , filled with a thousand little insights and ultimately sad . thompson seemed obscure to his family , cartoonishly overblown to his friends .", "it 's good stuff , and serves as a valuable piece of recent history to be documented .", "gonzo director gibney frees himself from the heady topicality of his recent documentaries ... and dives right down into the deep -- and dark -- end .", "alex gibney 's documentary -lrb- aligns -rrb- the gonzo 's descent into madness with the decline of american values .", "gonzo 's brilliance is in showing thompson warts and all , without taking anything away from his greatness even as it shows his many deficiencies .", "thompson is dead but his skepticism survives . in the land of endless corruption , the muckraker is king , if only in the moral sense .", "this movie has confirmed my suspicion that people need to leave hunter s. thompson 's story alone for a while .", "a definitive , accessible , even inspiring screen biography put together with thought and vitality .", "the film 's plea that we need thompson now more than ever is a little misty-eyed : thompson 's day was long gone by the time he put a gun to his head .", "alex gibney 's documentary about bad boy journalist dr. hunter s. thompson is both a memorial exaltation and a lament . gibney 's masterful style balances verite and dramatic effect . he does n't does n't tell you what to think , but spurs you to think .", "a colorful documentary about the famed journalist and author , hunter s. thompson , spiced up with movie clips of `` fear and loathing in las vegas '' and other works based on thompson 's writings .", "much like the man himself , it 's quite a piece of work .", "gonzo is much more than a tribute to a maverick and genuine pioneer . it 's a lament for the gaping hole that thompson left behind . the only obvious weakness is gibney 's reluctance to engage fully with thompson 's toxic personal life .", "i wanted more unearthed footage . but if you are looking for a tribute to the man , you wo n't find anything better .", "the movie is full of itself and fun but nonessential .", "too much time in this overly long film is spent on minutiae .", "it 's a fascinating portrait .", "gibney thus has to negotiate a treacherous path . its easy to romanticize a larger-than-life personality like dr. hunter s. thompson , gonzo journalist , and it makes for compelling viewing . however , dr. hunter s. thompson , gonzo journalist , was not exactly", "the rare documentary that puts you in a headlock to pin you to your seat , gonzo : the life and work of dr. hunter s. thompson is a bracing masterpiece .", "gonzo is an excellent reminder that thompson was more than just a wild man . he was , at least for a time , a first-rate writer who covered his times and helped shape them .", "a seminal work of talking head biography", "-lsb- gibney -rsb- is never quite able to get beyond the familiar in order to give viewers a new and penetrating look at the subject of thompson and his work .", "the worshipfulness obscures the sadder aspects of thompson 's life , which is perhaps why gibney focuses on the writer 's 1965-75 golden years ." ], "summary": "while not the comprehensive profile of the man that his die-hard fans might have hoped for , gonzo remains an insightful introduction to the life of rebellious writer hunter s. thompson and his influences .", "id": "770682510" }, { "movie": "a_dangerous_method", "reviews": [ "here is a director talking about a subject he 's covered many times before in a totally new way .", "the film radiates intelligence through clever direction and strong performances .", "david cronenberg 's focus remains , as always , on issues of mind/body invasion , corruption , and rebirth .", "-lsb- video -rsb- a lush character study and history lesson that tenaciously explores the personal conflicts of ego and id between jung and freud .", "to say MOV is a david cronenberg misfire is an understatement but not the end of the world . i applaud him for trying something new even if the end result is dead on arrival .", "it unfolds as a loquacious essay on the origins of psychoanalysis -- enlivened by some wry repartee from viggo mortensen , who steals every scene as sigmund freud , and gets more mileage out of a cigar than anyone since groucho marx .", "gets away from what we 've come to expect from the filmmaker who started out by making some of the most disturbing genre films .", "MOV feels drained of meaning and artistic intent .", "if it has a tendency to explicitly state its own themes , the film nevertheless unsettles with its lucid visions of release and repression", "on some level , MOV is cronenberg 's first out-and-out comedy ...", "it is -lrb- keira -rrb- knightley who is the firebrand that grabs you and compels you to watch . even during the times she is off the screen , she is in your head .", "the doctors become heralds of a savage century in which unconscious urges find such destructive expression that even kids who 've barely heard of freud can identify bombs and missiles as phallic symbols .", "splendid performances by michael fassbender and viggo mortensen highlight david cronenberg 's terrific take on jung and freud the early years .", "a delightful juxtaposition of intellectual and carnal impulses , like watching dry history from old textbooks brought to vivid , neurotic life .", "the repressed passion of the main character is all too representative of this repressed movie .", "`` MOV '' makes a ... journey from lunacy to intense and compelling and is surprisingly entertaining as it does .", "director david cronenberg is almost always compelling . many of his movies have potent , startling shock . but MOV does n't shock ; it nags .", "the pleasure of cronenberg 's movie is hearing these characters speak so eloquently on the subject of sex , and watching actors raise their game a bit for it ... MOV is a movie believing the most formidable sex organ really is the brain .", "the true story is extraordinary ; the film is not , although the actors are all fine .", "but what makes it such a compelling film is n't its accuracy , but its measure of the human toll exacted on those who are the first to venture into a new scientific and medical frontier .", "as freud , who believes the basis of all insanity is sexual repression , and jung , who is monogamous and resistant to such extremist views , the miscast male stars are bland as dust and look like a box of smith brothers cough drops .", "a david cronenberg movie about sigmund freud and carl jung is n't nearly as kinky as you 'd think . it 's more of an early 1900s `` fatal attraction '' - albeit an extremely literate one .", "`` MOV '' is full of ideas about sexuality - some quite provocative , even a century after their first articulation - but it also recognizes and communicates the erotic power of ideas .", "the only truly dangerous element here belongs to keira knightley , who dares to offer the most off-putting performance of the year .", "MOV is one of the best dramas i have seen all year .", "MOV is probably the tamest film david cronenberg will ever make , but it is nevertheless worthy as a well-acted skewering of overreaching psychology .", "the actors give it their all , especially knightley , whose jaw - jutting , heavily accented and unfairly criticized portrayal gives this erotic mind-bender its fighting spirit .", "has sexy freudian and jungian dialogue .", "like every director , cronenberg has made boring movies before -lrb- m. butterfly , naked lunch -rrb- , but he 's never made one this crushingly dull and anonymous .", "sharply written and superbly directed , this is an engaging and thought-provoking drama with terrific performances from all three leads , though it runs out of steam a little in the middle section and the climax is underwhelming .", "the sexuality of the spielrein character - who takes centre stage for much of the film - tips the balance in the fight for our attention and interest", "sex is the subject matter of david cronenberg 's riveting depiction of the relationship between jung and freud , although it is words , not passion that bring the sizzle", "cronenberg spares us few of the gory details of the patient who brought the two fathers of psychoanalysis together and helped tear them apart .", "the birth of psychoanalysis might seem to be a dry subject for a 21st-century movie , but director david cronenberg and writer christopher hampton ... force us to think again .", "the film is understandably talky , but there was enough passion and drama in it to hold my attention . it is a good primer on psychoanalysis .", "both michael fassbender and viggo mortensen are impressive , but the film belongs to keira knightley , who gives a quite astonishing performance , one modelled closely on existing film of women patients who suffered from this kind of hysteria .", "all in all , this film is impressive : the attention to detail in the costuming is wonderful , the lighting is brilliant , and the cinematography is gorgeous .", "restraint is not something we 've come to expect from david cronenberg . yet here , the canadian sticks with his more measured tone of late .", "an artfully composed portrait of intellectual one-upmanship .", "MOV features three potentially fine central performances , but each one is undermined by the weight of some often heavy duty dialogue .", "although the performances are exquisite , they still require undivided attention to grasp the concepts and stop the interest from waning .", "cronenberg has created a drama of male hysterics with no interest in diagnosing their own condition - perhaps the career of each is a continuous , elaborate symptom .", "cronenberg dissects the early days of psychoanalysis here in a precisely plotted , superficially genteel costume drama , but one in which eruptions of kinky violence are never far off .", "when you start to feel nostalgic for the late ken russell , you know something is wrong . . .", "keira can act ! she really can .", "-lsb- an -rsb- engrossing and thought-provoking drama ...", "... a cold , hopelessly uninteresting endeavor that marks an obvious low point within cronenberg 's uneven filmography .", "in one scene , freud turns to jung and says , `` do you realise we 've been talking for 13 hours ? '' . he could just as easily be referring to the film itself .", "an oddity , but a very watchable oddity , this makes for essential viewing for cronenberg enthusiasts and surprising viewing for those expecting a conventional period piece .", "infinitely assured moviemaking .", "these characters ' big brains can never quite control their unruly bodies , and when the sex finally erupts , it 's like something from one of the canadian filmmaker 's early creature features .", "`` MOV '' is a deeply political cautionary tale from a staunch atheist about the price of conformity and repression .", "there are some plays that are meant to remain on the stage . this is one of them .", "it makes for an absorbing drama and leaves the mustiness of cigars in the theatre .", "while -lsb- it -rsb- offers up the kind of creepy , carnal delights we usually enjoy in a cronenberg flick , i found myself more intrigued by the matters of the mind that are more fleetingly addressed .", "MOV is beautifully crafted and abundant with subtext but it 's also sterile , dramatically turgid and at times , kind of a drag .", "exploding the era of the costume drama with both its style and its ideas , david cronenberg 's MOV pushes repression to its breaking point at every turn", "cronenberg does n't go in for any exploding heads this time , but the surging emotions and heady ideas on display in his adaptation of christopher hampton 's play the talking cure are equally combustible .", "cronenberg 's comments are largely constrained to the subtle placement of his actors in the frame , to suggest the ever shifting power dynamic between the characters , who form a kind of love triangle .", "for cronenberg fans who did n't desert him after he stopped blowing up heads and started exploring them , it 's yet another intensely calibrated portrait of repression and expression .", "easily the masterful director 's most straightforward work in some time -lrb- possibly ever -rrb- , this is a worthwhile piece that nonetheless disappoints in the context of the rest of his filmography .", "perhaps cronenberg 's most transgressive movie yet , one in which ideas - rather than their fetishistic signifiers - possess more energy and verve than the most calculated shock effect .", "it might feel almost too quiet , if not for knightley 's manic , borderline-over-the-top depiction of mental illness ; she 's unafraid to deploy an almost comic , grimacing underbite and a desperate , unfettered sense of panic .", "`` MOV '' begins where other films hope to culminate .", "are you ready for some `` sexual healing , '' david cronenberg-style ?", "that it 's a cronenberg film means that it 's precise , smart , crisp , intelligent and daring : you know , good .", "-lsb- contains -rsb- ineffable moments of beauty and emotion , some drawing on cronenberg 's previous themes and images , and all partaking of the chaos of the human soul , which no analytical method can contain .", "what could have been , and should have been , an electrifying subject matter , has been ground down to a laborious exercise in pseudo psychoanalysis .", "knightley 's performance is effective precisely because it is so unpredictable and alienating ; she single-handedly turns the movie as a whole into a deranged chamber piece .", "whatever the elements , cronenberg has made a good movie from them , with outstanding performances by michael fassbender and viggo mortensen .", "... a deftly handled historical drama in which the darkest demons are hauled out on stage for all to evaluate .", "fassbender 's transformation from a young idealist to a haunted , cynical veteran is sharply observed .", "david cronenberg 's career-long fascination with matters of the mind manifests itself in compelling but determinedly non-mind-bending fashion .", "it takes some getting used to , as we do n't often see films that are so dependent on dialogue to express relationships . but if you avoid it because you do n't like `` talky '' dramas you will miss some of the finest performances of the year .", "while `` MOV '' is handsomely-produced and - designed , what should have been an intriguing story fell pretty flat for me . cronenberg directs with no particular flair .", "knightley 's performance calms down eventually , and a good thing , too . if she maintained that early pace , she would have burned up the couch and herself along with it .", "MOV will feel like cronenberg in a corset . the director sticks so close to the documented facts that there is little room to breathe , making for a smart film that feels a bit too literary .", "it 's a fiercely thoughtful film , a movie of ideas that understands how powerful ideas can be .", "the harder you look at it , the wilder , and more disturbing , and more moving , it becomes .", "low-key and curiously cerebral , perhaps too underwhelming to attract much of an audience", "while very much a dialogue-heavy historical film , all the recognisable elements of cronenberg 's preoccupations can be found in MOV .", "if you 're up for some solid intellectual stimulation and do n't mind having to work hard for it , this one will really give you something to discuss with friends afterwards .", "MOV is masterful filmmaking on all levels , but alas , it also leaves you dreaming that fassbender and mortensen will return to these roles in a more focused story on the fathers of psychoanalysis .", "it 's little more than repetitious conversation - conversation that uncovers little new or titillating on the topics of sex , madness or the process of psychoanalysis .", "while the moments of psycho-sexual interplay allows cronenberg to indulge in his obsession with the kinky , the canadian auteur shows a surprising restraint that his own written works do n't have .", "for the sake of your own mental health MOV should be avoided , but the cronenberg curious might want to endure it to prevent any onset of mania .", "... knightley 's histrionic performance verges on the embarrassing .", "fassbender provides a solid tortured performance alongside stand-out support from mortensen ; unfortunately the film hinges on the sabina character that in knightly 's hands lacked the necessary punch to elevate this film .", "its eye for detail makes things so real and worthy of a work of scholarship .", "is remarkably restrained , sometimes to a fault . in fact , there are no obvious visual cronenberg flourishes , and maybe some surrealistic touches might have upped the ante a little .", "precise , lucid and thrillingly disciplined , this story of boundary-testing in the early days of psychoanalysis is brought to vivid life by the outstanding lead performances of keira knightley , viggo mortensen and michael fassbender .", "a dangerous mind feels heavy and lugubrious . it is a tale that comes marinated in port and choked on pipe-smoke .", "a satisfying drama of historical speculation , substantially researched and shrewdly dramatized ...", "perfectly acted sex , lies and conversation .", "mirrors its title in being -- like all of cronenberg 's work -- superbly methodical , but also captures the dangerous undercurrents implicit in the understanding of man that freud and jung were instrumental in creating .", "using a dialogue-heavy approach that 's unusual for cronenberg , his film is skilled at the way it weaves theory with the inner lives of its characters .", "director david cronenberg has done nothing to vividly bring this story to life . he sets his actors adrift and hopes for the best . the best never comes .", "an intelligent historical speculation that captures the spirit and potential destruction of discovery .", "this is a movie with too much talk and not enough sensation .", "when at one point jung spanks his patient , you may completely miss the erotic content and simply think what i thought - that somebody , finally , was punishing knightley for this performance .", "it 's a handsome and stimulating film , noteworthy more for its terrific acting and provocative ideas than for any kind of dark cronenbergundian genius .", "mr. fassbender is entirely persuasive , not to mention extremely attractive , and mr. mortensen is intriguingly nuanced .", "for all its formal restraint , the film is just as subversive and as disquieting as predecessors such as crash and the naked lunch .", "poised for the sort of surprised , congratulatory attention cronenberg enjoyed for his relatively restrained the history of violence , with the true-ish historical heft adding to the film 's cache .", "even when wading most deeply into contortions of human flesh , cronenberg considers the psychological aspects and so `` MOV '' continues his themes , embodied most fully in keira knightley 's edgy performance", "... for the film buffs , it is a must see - especially for knightley 's powerful performance .", "this psycho-sexual melodrama is a mixed bag , well acted -lrb- oscar-caliber turns by fassbender and mortensen -rrb- and elegantly shot , but too theatrical and not provocative or unsettling by cronenberg 's standards .", "cronenberg and his actors do their best to show that there is no such thing as normalcy since jung , freud and spielrein , can not cure themselves any more than they can guarantee to help their patients .", "anybody can rip off the corset . shred it and turn it into a new article of clothing entirely ? that 's how you take it to the next level .", "cronenberg continues being fascinating as a director showing you things you were n't sure you wanted to see but will not soon forget .", "the acting is worth the price of admission . mortensen gives a remarkably pleasing performance as freud , and fassbender is a satisfying jung .", "the film snails along as a high-minded discourse that does n't know when to shut up .", "a dispassionate film that left me cold .", "with phenomenal performances from knightley , fassbender and mortensen , and a rich and complex script , there is a depth and power to this terrific feature .", "even with the spanking , this is a bit of a bore .", "however , the excellent performances count for a great deal , and the conversations are exceedingly intelligent , offering up provocative arguments on sex , the ego , and the concept of destiny .", "originally called `` the talking cure , '' that title was a misnomer ... and better suited to the sequel that might hopefully remedy this verbose exercise .", "never quite the psychosexual barnburner that typically emerges from cronenberg 's vast appetite for disease , but it remains something unnerving , getting under the skin , hitting a few remarkable notes of thorny human behavior .", "MOV simply feels rushed and incomplete , a cliffsnotes version of events where a novel was required .", "in truth , mortensen has a far more intimate and palpably emotional relationship with freud 's omnipresent cigar than he does with fassbinder 's jung", "like psychoanalysis , `` MOV '' takes its time as it circles an opening to unexplored depths .", "david cronenberg goes merchant-ivory . or maybe it 's last tango in switzerland ... as an examination of psyche and desire , MOV is smart and sophisticated stuff . as drama it fails .", "i think i know less about psychoanalysis now than i did before going into the cinema .", "MOV is a suave chamber piece : a series of glimpses of two 20th-century intellectual titans , in friendship and separation , and the story of a remarkable woman who history had swallowed up , brought into the light again .", "cronenberg 's clinical approach to hampton 's too on-the-nose dialogue makes for a very static drama ; it 's as if the filmmaker is much more comfortable dealing with eroticism as subtext than text .", "cronenberg has reached the stage of his career where he does n't feel it necessary to pander to expectations . instead he seeks to engage us , and he succeeds .", "a mostly fascinating character study and depiction of the compelling power of ideas", "scenes built on line after line of historically accurate but awkward , overly mannered dialogue distract and eventually grate .", "finds cronenberg working in startlingly generic period piece mode , without a hint of the dread and weird fascination that usually permeates even his weaker films .", "it 's knightley that one remembers , for a full-on portrayal that is gutsy and potentially divisive in equal parts .", "probably the most fun you 'll ever have watching a movie about carl jung and sigmund freud duking it out - and nurturing a deep-rooted but fragile friendship - in early 20th century austria and switzerland .", "david cronenberg 's take on the relationship between sigmund freud and carl jungis not just a fascinating look back at the developments of psychotherapy , but very much a remarkable love story , one between two men and the woman who drove them apart .", "restraint is generally not a word used to describe david cronenberg 's films , but it is the guiding factor behind MOV .", "knightley makes a lovely lover for carl . if sabina is a vampire , then she 's edward cullen , the creature who knows too much , to his bella swan , naive but game for a toxic twilight romp .", "as cataclysmic as it is , this historically scrupulous science-fiction romance concerning the discovery of the unconscious mind might have been titled war of the worlds or the beast from 5,000 fathoms .", "it 's fascinating to see the exceptionally charismatic fassbender squeeze himself into the role of the aristocratic , restrained jung , and it 's just as enjoyable to see mortensen bring an unexpected virility to his sybaritic , cigar-chomping freud .", "cronenberg has made a wholly satisfying case study , but not quite enough of a movie .", "as a biographical film , method gives real insight to its subjects , especially jung .", "spitting and stammering , clawing and convulsing , her jaw jutting forward and her eyes popping out of her head , keira knightley is a frightening force of nature in MOV .", "caring more about the journey than the destination -lrb- neither of which are particularly interesting -rrb- , the film is ultimately nothing more than a freudian slip-up .", "it 's a period piece about the origins of psychoanalysis and the sexual confusions of its progenitors that is eloquent and handsomely made , if never quite revelatory .", "MOV probably wo n't tell you anything useful about jung or freud or how their relationship fell apart . what it will provide are sterling performances and classic cronenberg repressed sado-masochism and sometimes that is enough .", "it 's a movie of ideas , but there are n't nearly enough of them .", "this is a freaky thing to behold : knightley 's wildly physical rendering of a mentally unbalanced soul .", "MOV is well cast with michael fassbender as a pent-up jung and viggo mortensen as freud . keira knightley inhabits the fits and fury of spielrein .", "knightley 's portrayal is feral and unsettling .", "like knightley 's performance , it 's not entirely successful but it 's always compelling .", "pivots as much on political gamesmanship and intellectual dominance as sadomasochistic urges and infidelity .", "trouble is , freud and jung 's meeting of the minds is never quite as compelling as the collision of the two bodies back in zurich .", "MOV barely nudges the freak-o-meter .", "`` MOV '' presents a vivid portrait of pre-world war i europe that 's at a considerable remove from the types of madness usually seen in cronenberg 's films .", "most of this talky film just feels like a debate between two experts , trying to answer a question few of us had asked . when the real question is , where 's david cronenberg ?", "a kinky undercurrent of sadomasochism certainly does n't hurt in preventing the film from slipping into the stodgy bio-pic abyss .", "cronenberg delivers a cold , clinical and at times stagebound film in MOV , but it 's one that will nevertheless keep you thinking about it long afterward .", "it 's a smart study of the root causes of destructive human behavior , but there 's a flat quality to the dark impulses on display .", "a cerebral trip with jung and freud , sex and cigars , the talking cure and adventures beyond .", "the charisma of the actors ... helps communicate escalating tensions in changing relationships ... in the hothouse of the freeing force of the unconscious .", "MOV did n't have to be another naked lunch , but freud plus jung plus cronenburg should have equaled something a little more dissonant and troubling .", "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar , and a prestige piece is just a well-intentioned bore .", "if the movie falls just shy of our highest mark , this is because cronenberg is tamping down on his usually naturalistic performances -- everything feels vaguely mad-scientist-ish .", "is n't likely to entirely appeal to cronenberg 's core fans -lrb- whatever that is at this point -rrb- , but it 's a richly rewarding -- and sometimes disturbing -- film in its own right .", "the talky emphasis may alienate , but cronenberg 's psychoanalysis session offers wry writing , elegant direction and fine leads .", "worthy performances . yes . but it 's just not enough . my analysis drs. freud and jung : your patients and students just wo n't care .", "at its core , there 's a provocative story lurking here about the delicate and fragile dividing lines between mind , body and soul .", "knightley gives a fair performance but lumbers herself with a distracting accent , and her gurning in the early scenes may be too much for some to bear .", "it never really gets under the skin in the way cronenberg does at his best .", "ultimately , there 's no danger of being deeply moved by this film - it 's just a tantalising glimpse of part of what makes us human .", "it is knightley who walks away with the film , delivering her best work since never let me go as a live wire hysteric ...", "for all its strengths , MOV never becomes much more than a pleasant watch , with its studied formalism preventing viewers from ever truly connecting to these characters ' situations .", "strong performances from fassbender and mortensen are n't enough to help cronenberg 's techically sound by overly talky film ." ], "summary": "a provocative historical fiction about the early days of psychoanalysis , MOV is buoyed by terrific performances by michael fassbender , keira knightley , and viggo mortensen .", "id": "771203681" }, { "movie": "then_she_found_me", "reviews": [ "genuinely clever and amusing ... may itself be hard to find , but it 's worth a search .", "it 's the kind of film that practically invites you to forget about it two days after you 've seen it .", "honesty without cynicism . now that 's something i could watch a lot more of .", "hunt 's debut as a film director makes me glad she found us .", "an impressive directorial debut for helen hunt that takes an intelligent look at the ways we survive unspeakable grief and play hide and seek with love .", "it 's like an animatronic reproduction of a jewish mom relationship erected at the world 's most racist amusement park .", "a few plot turns too many undermine helen hunt 's MOV , and that 's too bad , because hunt shows some nice touches here both in front of and behind the camera .", "hunt , who also co-wrote the screenplay from elinor lipman 's novel , scrupulously avoids anything that smacks of tv sitcom humor . this is admirable , but the result is one of the glummest romantic comedies in recent memory .", "helen hunt probably could have made this into a delightful little comedy or a thoughtful drama . but the clumsy mixing of those elements makes for an awkward mess .", "midler plays an extrovert with heart and brains , but the twists and turnarounds in this mother-and-child reunion arrive right on schedule ; in the end , she 's less a mother than a show-biz fairy godmother .", "given its cast and source material - elinor lipman 's highly-regarded novel - it all makes for a highly disappointing experience .", "the loudest laughs in this `` serious comedy '' came from three brief appearances by author salman rushdie as a doctor .", "all in all , not quite as good as it gets .", "unendurable american middle-aged whingeing .", "unexpectedly sharp , light and appealing ; a testament to hunt 's skills behind the camera .", "trying to establish a serio-comic tone is a task best suited for seasoned directors . given that a boom microphone drops into the film frame at least twice , hunt has more basic production elements to master .", "hunt 's lovely voice , pitched in that diurnal-dizzy limbo between mezzo and soprano , is perfect for mid-life crisis . so is her gawky , strung-out , tragicomical body language .", "everyone acts decently and you have to praise hunt for her tenacity . but this suffers from some fairly dire cinematography and a manufactured air that prevents the watcher connecting to the whole thing .", "it 's a glum and amateurish business on the three-in-one subject of adoption - being adopted , having your child adopted , and adopting one .", "this is not without its attractions - an occasionally waspishly witty script and some unexpected dramatic tangents - but the characters never seem more than a casually bagged collection of tics and mannerisms .", "the material is n't much different from a woody allen film , but , unfortunately , the execution is .", "to its credit , this is a romantic comedy with a more serious side than most . but in her seriousness , hunt loses sight of the need for laughter .", "from the looks of things , the actors were simply let loose as themselves .", "one of the best , most intelligent movies out there right now .", "about the most interesting thing about this uninteresting nervous dramedy is the casting of controversial writer salman rushdie as a gynecologist .", "MOV is a commendable but not very exciting feature-directing debut by actress helen hunt . although she wields most of the creative power on the film she does n't turn this into a vanity project .", "the overt stylistic flourishes are so few that they have a special impact , particularly the moment when the camera slowly tracks towards april after she receives a piece of devastating news .", "both role and movie fit -lsb- hunt -rsb- as comfortable as a favorite bathrobe , and she wins us over long before the final tiny twist of the ending .", "... might be viewed as a symptom of a hollywood system in which women of a certain age are devalued and ignored .", "resembles a heartfelt but out-of-tune karaoke version of ` i am woman ' .", "stylish yet deeply sensitive , lifting your spirit . no one will come away without a smile .", "hunt 's performance is terrific and far more nuanced than her oscar-winning turn in as good as it gets . as an actress , she helps make her director look very good indeed .", "MOV will do just fine as quirky filler on women 's cable networks , but considering the talent involved there was reason to expect more .", "the anxieties and angst of middle-class , middle-aged women remain rich , underexplored cinematic territory , but hunt 's instantly forgettable film does little to make this deep vein of cultural experience seem vital or exciting .", "it 's mad about you with home pregnancy test swabs .", "... a smart and capable debut for hunt as a director who has found herself a plum role . it 's a perfect mother 's day pick .", "MOV , a serious comedy , is more impressive for what it refuses to do than for its modest accomplishment .", "helen hunt deserves better .", "a bizarre , overcooked broth .", "too familiar by half to be indie/arty/edgy and too anemic by another half to surface as mainstream/commercial .", "a funny and touching story about the way we create families both by blood and by choice .", "an uneasy mix of baby mama , my big fat greek wedding and a few of woody allen 's domestic comedies , and is even messier than that makes it sound .", "suffers from , if anything , a lack of pure confidence in the story , the actors or the audience .", "tries to say too much all at once , but great performances from firth and midler carry it .", "looking an anorexic 15 years older than her character , she grabs onto her role with a grim , two-fisted attack . while the supporting cast in this dramedy swims toward comedy , hunt drowns in tragedy .", "as unhealthy-looking as a dust bowl migrant in a dorothea lange portrait , hunt appears to have wandered onto the set in hopes of finding something to chew .", "helen hunt stars in , directed and co-wrote MOV , and she handles each chore beautifully .", "other than perhaps being a little long in the tooth to have colin firth 's character convincingly going gaga over her , helen hunt has done a decent job of directing a ` chick flick ' which ought to be a hit with the distaff demographic .", "it 's a romantic `` dramedy '' that treads some familiar ground , but does so smartly and thoughtfully .", "mature dramedy interesting , but meanders too much .", "even midler ca n't redeem it from terminal lifetime-movie-dom .", "as MOV moves along it takes on some of the same sweet , loopy tone of waitress and the story has a similar arc . it does n't have the lush , dreamy look of waitress -lrb- or its sounds -rrb- but it felt just as satisfying .", "this serio comedy about the ups and downs of a schoolteacher is the feature debut of helen hunt , who 's not as self-indulgent as other thesps-helmers , but the film is pedestrian and hunt lacks technical skills .", "in her first shot as director , hunt seems direction-less .", "with subtle laughs but solid emotional thrust , it will play very well with older audiences .", "sometimes charming , occasionally funny , it never draws attention to itself as the work of a director with training wheels on .", "sharing ace chemistry with hunt , midler 's scenes are the jewels of the film ; a reminder of how impressive her talent is and how much her recent career direction has failed to capitalize on her gifts .", "gaunt , grim and wound as tight as a ukulele 's string , april epner -lrb- helen hunt -rrb- , the elementary schoolteacher undergoing the mother of all midlife crises in MOV , is a stern challenge to an audience 's collective sympathy .", "dialogue is a blunt-force trauma in hunt 's directorial debut , which behaves like some avant-garde theatre production where all the stage directions are spoken aloud .", "helen hunt effectively combines comedy with melodrama in a story of a woman whose biological clock is ticking .", "a low-key comedy in which characters always seem just one misstep away from full-out tragedy .", "april and frank are mired in angst , for no discernable reason , other than having the misfortune of being stuck in a downer of a movie .", "it 's the kind of film that only a mother , which is to say my mother , would love .", "helen hunt proves herself to be a highly capable filmmaker with this charming and mostly enjoyable dramedy that sometimes achieves its desired blend of humor and pathos , but not always .", "if it 's not a completely satisfying film , it 's not a completely mediocre one , either . see it if the subject matter intrigues , or you 're a fan of one or more of the actors .", "... a charming and downright delightful spin on the romantic comedy genre .", "what ought to be a bittersweet movie about a woman 's momentary unraveling feels like a workout class : cardio melodrama .", "by the closing scene , i felt privileged to be along for april 's emergence from the deep waters of daughterhood and her realization that when love knocks , the heart opens wide .", "the result is n't overacting -- some of the acting is quite good - but a failure of modulation . big emotions can make a movie , but a succession of them can impede flow and stop a story in its tracks .", "while hunt 's directing debut is promising , if understated , it 's her performance as schoolteacher april epner that impresses the audience .", "hunt has what it takes to direct ; you can see it here , in small doses . in an arena filled largely with men , it will be interesting to see what she does next .", "overall MOV , though earnest and clearly heartfelt , just feels tired ; like hunt 's sad-eyed april , it lacks spark .", "where it really matters -- working with actors -- veteran filmmakers could learn from hunt .", "this adaptation of an elinor lipman novel is hunt 's feature directing debut , and under the circumstances she might have been wiser to give the lead role to someone else .", "there 's a gentle realism that makes room for laughs , drama and the slightest touch of farce , never spilling into the comically cheap and managing to explore subtler issues involving adoption", "the experience of watching MOV could n't be as agonizing as the trauma onscreen , but it 's close .", "the tut-tuttingly dull script refuses to supply a single happy line until hunt squares up to the sudden arrival of bette midler .", "it 's not the only misstep in oscar-winning actress helen hunt 's first film as director , which is a shame because she does a lot of things right .", "there 's food for thought in the pregnancy plot , although the narrative drags its heels towards a misty-eyed conclusion .", "hunt 's film does soften the heart , not least because of its honesty and its sensitivity to some unfashionable dilemmas .", "helen hunt makes an impressive directorial debut and gives a defiantly vanity-free performance in this engaging drama that also features strong support from colin firth and bette midler .", "a bittersweet combination of comedy and drama , this sensitive film has enough strong material in it to make it worth seeing , even if it sometimes feels under-developed and a little too heart-tugging", "what at first seems a morose if witty romantic comedy for adults ends up being an altogether more serious piece about a woman acquiring children but leaving behind childish things .", "colin firth ... he steams a bit for a change in a tale that 's strictly so-soap .", "a mildly embarrassing vanity project .", "a highly satisfying old-fashioned comedy-drama ... -lsb- with -rsb- a strong undercurrent of religion and philosophy that helps hunt make her film profound in a way that sneaks up on you . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "without strong guidance , the self-conscious lines make the characters sound like , well , characters rather than actual human beings .", "a smart little bittersweet comedy .", "for a `` personal project , '' it 's all fairly impersonal and predictable . by the second act , you know everything that 's going to happen in the third . and by the third -- well , i almost found myself missing meg ryan .", "helen hunt 's directing debut , an adaptation of elinor lipman 's novel , is neither particularly flashy or innovative . it is , however , filled with just what the academy award-winning actress , who also stars , knows a good deal about : good acting .", "a heartfelt dramedy that 's not ` as good as it gets ' but still commendable .", "... hunt , in her directorial debut , ca n't seem to decide whether she 'd rather make a spicy ethnic dish or bland comfort food .", "it 's a romantic comedy , it 's a mother-daughter drama , and most importantly , it 's an unpretentious , gentle , moving film .", "with the screenwriters alice arlen and victor levin , hunt adapted the story from a 1990 novel by elinor lipman , and has turned the material into a fine , tense , unpredictable comedy of mixed-up emotions and sudden illuminations .", "MOV is uneven , but entirely watchable , and hunt gets terrific performances from both bette midler and colin firth .", "hunt writes , directs and stars in a rough-edged indie alternative to baby mama .", "uncomfortable moments and near-nervous breakdowns transition into oxygen-channel cuteness , which we 're supposed to read as some sort of approximation of ... messy real life ? not quite .", "a nifty story about some sympathetic and idiosyncratic characters struggling with love and reaching out for their small share of happiness .", "there 's nothing exceptional about it , but there 's a warmth and intelligence here which sets it aside from most other romantic comedies around .", "addresses thinky topics like religious faith , motherhood , and adoption , always intelligently and maturely .", "helen hunt , as she allows herself to age authentically , may have a good second career as a director , based on the surefooted handling of this comedy-drama .", "happily , helen hunt takes the `` ick '' and `` ick '' out of chick flick .", "words get in the way of true emotions in this comedy drama that marks helen hunt 's directing debut .", "a grim , grey little affair of people who are n't interesting failing to achieve catharsis in the banal , depressing problems of their lives .", "everything about hunt 's directorial debut % u2013 she also co-wrote the script and served as one of the 13 producers % u2013 is obnoxious , to say nothing of arch and artificial .", "finding a way to compartmentalize your bitterness while keeping your heart open to enlightening relationships is a more difficult task than facing ivan drago . in russia . on christmas day . for no money .", "hunt draws some good performances from the cast and wisely chose a low-key personal story for her directorial debut .", "the plot , as hinted , goes strictly by the how april got her groove back book , but it must be said that the performances push it a notch above pedestrian .", "this is the sort of movie that gives ` chick flicks ' a bad name .", "clearly committed to the material , hunt extracts exquisitely subtle performances from her accomplished cast-especially firth and midler-in this self-assured directorial debut ." ], "summary": "a threadbare story anchored by strong performances , MOV is a mostly successful directorial debut by helen hunt .", "id": "770677948" }, { "movie": "we_are_the_best", "reviews": [ "coco moodysson 's script captures the banal flow of events with just the right mix of humour and pathos , while director lukas moodysson 's straightforward , un-garnished direction gives this period '80s movie the right overall tone .", "one of the funniest and happiest movies i 've ever seen about early adolescent girls and their wayward , fitful joyousness .", "warm , joyous , and excellent , lukas moodysson 's MOV ! is an honest and refreshing celebration of young girls ' friendship , with a few playful punk punches thrown in .", "sometimes too faithful to teenage aimlessness , MOV ! can be shapeless and uneventful . but the movie often jolts to life , whether with outbursts of hostility or moments of gleeful female bonding .", "the unpatronizing way their growing pains are portrayed , while not ever losing a sense of perspective and humor is a key element of what makes the film so beguiling ...", "MOV ! is an infectiously funny coming-of-age story , led by three invigorating , nuanced performances from its young cast .", "there just are n't enough films about teen-age girl punk bands made by left-wing feminist swedish christian males .", "there are sweet moments and grosin 's dynamic performance percolates , but `` MOV ! '' is more tedious than anarchic .", "MOV is , well , one of the best and without giving anything away , i can assure you that its grand finale is as wonderfully satisfying as any ending that i have seen in a long time .", "MOV ! is hardly the best , but these girls just might be .", "MOV ! is smart , funny and real , an honest peek into the secret lives of girls .", "what we have here is an exhilarating blast of a movie , full of heart but still punk rock ... MOV ! is loud , crude , socially irresponsible and totally irresistible .", "the film 's winsome , self-satisfied comedy will no doubt appeal more to viewers who prize juvenile hi-jinks over the cultural moment it depicts .", "audiences can be pleased to find a story in which its young female characters are n't victims , or even pretty little liars , but just friends . and good ones , at that .", "the movie is refreshingly sensitive to gender , but also transcends it . what unites the three clashing heroines is their resistance to conventional cliques and schoolhouse conformity . in more ways than one , they 're a band of outsiders .", "when the girls chant the film 's titular mantra , not only do we feel like it 's true , we feel we 've earned the right to chant along .", "MOV ! scrapes , if sometimes a little lazily , for its spiky heroines to be appreciated on their own terms , half-understood though they might be .", "tests of friendship , boy troubles and a climactic show at a rival community centre ensue . and though the story meanders , moodysson wins us over by capturing the restlessness , confusion and excitement of being young and finding your voice .", "there are movies with much bigger budgets slamming into theaters , but i 'll be you wo n't see one with more honest exuberance or spot on charm than this one .", "if ever a movie earned the exclamation point in its title , it 's lukas moodysson 's `` MOV ! ''", "you do n't have to like punk rock to fall in love with MOV ! ; if a more joyous film comes along in 2014 , then it 's a good year indeed .", "the film 's surface is as spiky as its protagonists ' hair and wardrobe , but the overall effect can only be described as downright endearing .", "it portrays the kind of rush of unfettered , probably crap inspiration that one relishes before self-criticism and self-doubt kicks in .", "no film i 've seen so far this year has provided the sheer moviegoing pleasure of `` MOV ! ''", "it 's a being-of-age story , in swedish with english subtitles , the age being early adolescence , when kids with throbbing hearts and incompletely wired brains are full of passion and blithe illogic .", "despite the unruly music at its center , the filmmaker has crafted a uniformly gentle ode to growing up .", "sweet and rambunctious ...", "swedish auteur lukas moodysson returns to his roots here with a charming coming-of-age drama .", "so add MOV ! to the growing canon of excellent girl-band movies ... and in this film , being in a band is a way to find yourself .", "-lsb- ... -rsb- MOV ! captures both the spirit of the early 1980s and the way pre-teens and teens have their own ideas of what 's important .", "lukas moodysson makes a sweet , spirited return to form with this utterly delightful evocation of early teenage life .", "sly , fun and irresistible .", "a joyous celebration of youth , friendship and rebellion", "MOV ! charts this troubled yet exhilarating period of transformation in a trio of 12-year-old girls , while milking the social and historical particularities of the setting - sweden , 1982 - for all their nostalgic worth .", "moodysson 's charming and winning journey into adulthood , accompanied by a music style that encourages a venting of mixed emotions ...", "a gift for the blurry-eyed filmgoer", "an exuberant rock 'n' roll comedy in which three of the most memorable movie teens ever embrace their adolescent angst and give it screaming voice .", "smartly told , it 's a quiet riot .", "a bright , breezy and thoroughly enjoyable story of three teenage punkettes who strain and struggle to life , love and music in stockholm in the early 1980s .", "what makes it so special is its mix of barbed humour , tenderness and its adrian mole-like insights into what teenage years are really like .", "extracting naturalistic performances from all his young stars , moodysson seems to revel in these spirited characters . and you should too . it 's a delight from start to finish .", "a joyful bubble you 'll want to re-enter .", "there is a bugsy malone feel to MOV ! , a spectacle of children playing at being adults , and doing it inevitably badly . but not as badly as the actual grownups .", "there may not be a great deal to the film other than a little slice of time , but it 's bloody delightful - a warm , spiky hug .", "at 45 , moodysson is working completely without pessimism or sentimentality .", "lukas moodysson scores a crowd-pleaser after a few years in the wilderness with this return to the tender , bittersweet nostalgia of the rep-making together .", "a very welcome return from moodysson . the music is wyld stallions-grade , but the charm and spirit of the three girls will have you moshing in your seat .", "delightful , uplifting swedish comedy that marks a long-awaited return to the form ... for writer-director lukas moodysson , thanks to a warm-hearted , witty script and a trio of terrific performances from its three young leads .", "the heightened emotions and off-kilter logic of childhood feels totally lived in . it 's funny and sometimes beautiful to see .", "`` MOV ! '' captures the chaos of youth with a funny and profane energy .", "a proudly feminist middle finger to conformity , and a celebration of youthful rebellion .", "MOV ! is as unique as chips and chocolate . it 's also as universal as cosmic pubescence .", "but this is not a movie about kids learning the value of intense practice and dedication . instead , it 's a movie about the major and minor tumults of growing up .", "full of adolescent energy -- vibrant , untethered , and kind of bonkers -- the new movie from swedish director lukas moodysson is a gentler version of childhood than he 's recently favoured .", "the young actresses are just flawless and i think lukas moodysson really tells this story well .", "moodysson has brought these non-conformists delightfully , sensitively to life with design and cinematography reflecting the recently departed 70 's .", "in its evocation of the early '80s stockholm middle-school girl punk rock scene , `` MOV ! '' could hardly be more specific . but in its depiction of the joys and sorrows of adolescence , it could hardly be more universal .", "so far this year , one of the most warmly inspiring films ... sheer smile-on-your-dial factor . moodysson absolutely knows what he 's doing ... becomes funnier and funnier .", "the performances of all three young actors are superb , soulful , honest and full of joy . their dialogue is often ridiculously funny and there 's no sense of manufactured drama .", "three female teenagers trying to stick together in a world that is stacked against them in stockholm , circa 1982 .", "era-specific but never nostalgic , tender but never sentimental , MOV ! , like all good films about teenage girls , finely illuminates the emotional extremes of this tumultuous development stage .", "exclamation points seem entirely apropos : it 's the best !", "a classic coming-of-age story that embraces the messiness and stubbornness of adolescence , delivering a drama that is alive with attitude , humor and heart .", "the movie has the confidence of an artist who 's survived some wild years himself , experimenting with style and dispassion and realizing that sweet abandon is more than enough .", "a charming delight that 's going to leave you wanting to form your own punk band on leaving the theater .", "MOV ! captures perfectly the aimlessness of adolescence , the waiting to become something that 's so often intertwined with the desire to make something , to leave your mark on the world in some small way .", "funny and frank in its observations , the film is a delightful snapshot of female friendship at that age , from the giddy highs to the melancholy funks , from the sustaining bonds to the jealousies and stinging betrayals .", "lukas moodysson 's film allows its trio of girls to express themselves through gender , certainly , but not undermine their desire to be heard as artists first .", "punk has never been so adorably , girl or swedish", "MOV ! is a delightful film about the friendship between its three young protagonists , set to an amusing and convincing punk music backdrop . i spent half the running time with a grin on my face .", "the three girls are full of life . they have a lot of fun just being kids . they are excited about their potential and their possibilities . this movie is a tribute to the spirit and optimism of youth .", "the pic has a blast poking fun at society , and in a crude way siding with the rebels .", "it 's a film for seeing familiar things being done well , not for being surprised or challenged .", "a pallid and terminally cutesy movie that succeeds by stoking blandly happy feelings .", "the beautifully authentic performances by the three bandmates capture that brief life moment when nearly everything can feel like a scary , joyous act of rebellion .", "watching MOV ! is a genuinely positive experience , one that leaves you smiling inside and out even days later as you think back not only on scenes from the film but also to memories of your own life .", "the music here is really just a macguffin , a way into moodyson 's real subject : the complex and often unequal dynamics of adolescent friendships .", "for all their moodiness and irascibility , the girls come across as warm and believable , and there are funny moments when they take to the streets to raise money for a new guitar .", "moodysson gives his characters the perfect mix of love , protection , and freedom", "MOV ! is a low-key pleasure . it is perhaps not a project that tests moodysson as a director but it resoundingly shows his brilliance at directing young performers .", "utterly charming , fresh and funny , MOV perfectly captures what it feels like to be young and misunderstood .", "swedish filmmaker lukas moodysson returns to the improv-style charms of his earlier films -lrb- like together and show me love -rrb- , a welcome break from his more recent grim experimental dramas -lrb- see mammoth or lilya 4-ever -rrb- .", "punk rock has never been this bubbly on screen , but that 's what happens when you cast three actresses with infectiously effervescent personalities and deep-rooted chemistry .", "a look at three middle-school aged kids ostracized by their peers for being non-conforming , punk band aspirants . well acted by the young trio but they are simply not interesting enough to rivet my attention .", "with fantastic performances by the three leads -lrb- only one of whom is a professional actor -rrb- , the film fluidly alternates between the messiness and warmth of female friendship .", "if this film were a pair of knickers , they 'd be the kind of knickers you 'd think twice about hanging on the line .", "you 'd have to have a heart of arctic ice to finish the film not smiling with joy .", "it offers arguments for rebellion and for creative aggression . it sparkles with the unpredictability of youth .", "performances from the central players are uniformly remarkable and help distract from a slightly disjointed , episodic structure . content is fairly lightweight and the movie runs out of road towards the conclusion , but it is fun while it lasts .", "the whole thing is very smart and sweet , as are the performances .", "as played by three sparkling newcomers -lrb- mira barkhammar , mira grosin and liv lemoyne -rrb- in scenes that rely heavily on improvisation , they burst with a vitality that ca n't be faked -- only allowed , encouraged and lovingly savored .", "the great charm of lukas moodysson 's MOV ! lies in its total lack of pretension and adult editorializing .", "the spirit of genial youthful rebelliousness has seldom been expressed with such effortless glee .", "it may not be very punk , but these girls just want to have fun . and , crucially , moodysson is having a good time too ; there 's joy in every frame .", "MOV ! is the rare film about childhood friendship that seems to take place inside the world of children , not filtered through an adult scrim of nostalgia .", "propelled by its energy and sheer enthusiasm , lucas moodysson 's film about a would-be teenage punk band is a vibrant shot in the arm . moodysson captures all the unbridled spirit , optimism and chutzpah of youth and tosses it into the air for us to catch", "an unexpected charmer about friendship , identity and the liberating power of making a racket .", "captures the dynamics of adolescent friendship to perfection . funny and full of bluster , it 's an exuberant tribute to punk rock spirit , and to the experience of being thirteen .", "impeccably , nay astonishingly , performed by mira barkhammar , mira grosin and liv lemoyne , the film sweeps us into their world", "it 's impossible not to root for these appealing if flawed youngsters .", "the longer we spend with these three middle-school outcasts , the more we care about them .", "sweet-spirited and sometimes meandering but always working in the service of its young protagonists ' perspective .", "moodysson 's gift for lifelike misfit ennui here seems exalted by specific inspiration .", "a coming of age frolic with lessons for all ages .", "the youngsters playing bobo and klara have a lot of energy and presence on the screen .", "`` MOV ! '' should bring a smile to the face of anybody , regardless of gender , who recognizes themselves even a little in these savvy , indomitable characters .", "-lsb- moodysson -rsb- captures the crushing urgency and emotional craziness of youth . it 's not blood that flows through these girls ' veins , it 's nitroglycerin .", "`` MOV ! '' is a messy , congenial empowerment story that knows how aggravating adolescence can be when you refuse to fit in .", "it 's a title that makes quite a statement . few viewers will be inclined to argue .", "hate sport ! moodysson 's 1980s middle school punks are the perfect alternative to godzilla and tom cruise .", "a note-perfect coming-of-age story masquerading as a behind the music documentary", "MOV ! seems like -lsb- moodysson 's -rsb- clearest vision to date .", "relentlessly upbeat ... captures the peripatetic energy of youth .", "the young actresses are flawless , and their ear-banging music , which remains awful throughout the film , is nonetheless full of static electricity .", "this is a knowing film , and a liberating one .", "the teenage actors nail their natural , giddy-sad coming-of-age performances and moodyson flavors the film with fine direction of its young stars .", "although the movie often goes cross-eyed trying to figure out how to slip out of scenes , it retains joy and a rich sense of curiosity , brought to life through three terrific lead performances .", "three girls , three chords in three acts , that 's ` MOV , ' an invigorating coming-of-age comedy perfectly capturing the electrifying jolt punk rock instills in teens looking to expel their anger and frustration .", "director moodysson revels in the way his young cast alternate between being children and adults , back and forth like a lenticular image . the film is irresistible -- conveying the pleasures of being a spiky nuisance in a maddeningly calm society ." ], "summary": "sweet , empathetic , and shot through with a palpable joy , MOV ! offers a tender tribute to the bittersweet tumult of adolescence .", "id": "771363530" }, { "movie": "el_aura", "reviews": [ "... a tightly constructed thriller ...", "the film 's taciturn observer , played by ricardo darin -lrb- the strutting con man of nine queens -rrb- , delivers perhaps the most inward performance of the year .", "bielinsky does a remarkable job of both revealing and withholding information , so that , even after 134 minutes , the film never drags .", "in the end , the film 's bigger challenge is n't its length , or its deliberate pace : it 's that it 's overly freighted with symbolism and meaning .", "the aura holds together as a dreamy variation on reservoir dogs ' heist-gone-wrong fatalism and the know-thyself confrontations of david mamet 's homicide .", "... this intricately plotted mystery ventures into darker psychological territory and never misses a step .", "the heart-attack death last year of fabi\u0155n bielinsky ... makes the posthumous release of the aura , his mysterious drama about an argentinean epileptic taxidermist caught up in a vivid crime , that much more poignant .", "the movie 's mood is haunting , and its central image of a man able to shed his morality as easily as an old raincoat hints at a filmmaker who had deeper concerns than mere thrills .", "whereas nine queens was a movie of clockwork precision and blindsiding reversals , MOV is more internalized and digressive but no less striking , in large part thanks to darin 's mesmerizing performance .", "the aura works as a thriller , but it 's also a character study of a man with nothing to lose . even at more than two hours , it never relaxes its grip .", "the movie is cause for both rejoicing and despair . the good news it 's an absorbing , intelligent film . the bad is that there will be no more from the gifted -lsb- late director -rsb- bielinsky .", "it 's tough to get behind a character who does n't even seem to care about himself .", "visually , the film is almost perfect , with a weird , expressionistic sensibility considerably more sophisticated than the low-fi street shooting of nine queens , while the imaginative piano score trickles between pastoral harmony and primal discord .", "a haunting character-study-cum-crime thriller that marks the maturation of a significant filmmaking talent .", "the flavor is a decidedly mournful one , unusual to find in a crime thriller , but adding layers of rich atmosphere and psychological depth to a familiar but nerve-wracking genre tale .", "the aura is richer and less showy than nine queens , and it lifts off from the gangster genre to contemplate deeper mysteries . reminiscent of antonioni 's the passenger in its obsession with fate and choice .", "bielinsky also is a most expressive director , achieving considerable nuances and depths of emotion with characters ' looks , gestures , body language and silences .", "a somber mood of bleak lives is enhanced by muted colors . the many unusual aspects keep the aura continually intriguing .", "once the story is fully engaged , the suspense never lets up ...", "the world of the aura is , quite obviously , a heightened and stylized version of reality , but its governing emotions of dread , suspicion and moral confusion are bracingly real .", "a fuzzy attempt at significance that seems as aimlessly lost in the woods as its heist-plotting characters .", "a delight to look at , and full of both beautiful music and beautiful silences .", "this character-heavy crime thriller from argentina occasionally gets off track , straying into territory that has little to do with the main story line . but they are interesting digressions , and it 's sort of nice to have a movie that 's so unpredictable .", "a startling psychological drama with plenty of unexpected twists , a worthy follow-up -lsb- to -rsb- fabian bielinsky -lsb- 's -rsb- riveting debut nine queens .", "i have to admit i was more than intrigued by a film featuring an epileptic taxidermist with a photographic memory who fancies that he can commit the perfect crime .", "it 's intriguing and absorbing , this thriller about a lonely taxidermist caught up in a shooting accident , a case of mistaken identity and a heist .", "if less neatly realized than nine queens , the aura is the more ambitious film . it is all the more haunting for suggesting narrative possibilities that bielinsky was just beginning to explore .", "tense and twisty , this is what thrillers should be about .", "with `` the aura , '' his final picture , the director adopts a moody atmosphere to convey an original heist thriller set in the mysterious patagonian forests .", "it 's less a deconstruction of the heist film than an ambitious contemplation of our fascination with the genre ...", "argentinian writer / director fabian bielinksy -lrb- nine queens -rrb- creates a character with an intriguing set of traits that inspire an equally intriguing plot .", "a psychological thriller about a wannabe gangster who ends up with overwhelming regret after becoming enveloped in a whirlwind of terror .", "a top-notch heist thriller set in patagonian forests and southern argentine cities , a film full of dark , moody atmosphere and richly imagined , indelibly etched characters .", "the moody ambience suggests noir writers david goodis and jim thompson ...", "this is a start-to finish thriller that delves into a different world than the usual heist drama", "infused with a whiff of the outsider 's stale regret .", "-lrb- ... -rrb- dif\u00edcil recordar un thriller con tan poco di\u00e1logo , en el que los silencios y las contemplaciones sean mucho m\u00e1s importantes que los enunciados de los personajes .", "the voyeuristic focus and camera acrobatics may remind you of hitchcock , but the aura is also highly original .", "... sublime psychological thriller ...", "the aura is a reflection upon the thriller genre rather than an actual thriller itself .", "there 's lots of suspense here , and the ending is actually perversely satisfying .", "with the aura , fabi\u00e1n bielinsky replaces nine queens ' flashy mamet-esque posturing with downbeat melville/antonioni noir existentialism .", "a hypnotic journey into the head of an epileptic taxidermist with a photographic memory .", "-lsb- the aura -rsb- might be the most original new thriller i 've seen since memento .", "gives off scents of melancholy and dread that are rarely seen in heist films" ], "summary": "the aura is a highly original and cerebral thriller that maintains its suspense from start to finish .", "id": "335715866" }, { "movie": "touch-the-sound", "reviews": [ "you may find your own sense of hearing transformed by this global tour of the senses .", "-lsb- t -rsb- his is a film that leaves strong reverberations and a pleasant , sense-scrambled high .", "riedelsheimer gives the viewer not only glennie 's music , but her own experience of it .", "MOV is a completely joyful moviegoing experience and , like the best movies , it takes you to a place you 've never been .", "bold and often thrilling film .", "you 'll either sail along with it contentedly , or you 'll start to think halfway through that maybe the movie could have been a lot shorter and made its points just as well .", "unfortunately , a good deal of touch the music is devoted to vacuous interviews with glennie , who seems positively incapable of saying anything substantial .", "they get some amazing sounds from unusual sources ... this film is a visual and auditory experience .", "... he often assembles gorgeous , abstract visual montages that recall godfrey reggio 's - qatsi trilogy .", "we 're led to experience her life as she does -- as an adventure in which setbacks are not challenges , but illuminations of untracked paths .", "a film that succeeds both as biography and poetic travelogue .", "an often-lovely impressionistic look at the life of a famous avant-garde percussionist who generates a wonderful world of sound , despite being deaf .", "innovative sounds and striking visuals combine to form an exquisite cinematic work that 's both a portrait of hearing-impaired percussionist evelyn glennie and a radical reexamination of sensory experience .", "arrestingly beautiful .", "a potent and imaginative creative biography of virtuoso percussionist glennie .", "it 's a clich\u00e9 to find inspiration in other people 's disabilities , but the truth is that glennie would be inspiring whether she could hear or not . her joyful enthusiasm for life is that great .", "it 's rare that a documentary conveys an artist 's worldview so compellingly , but then glennie is no ordinary musician .", "educates in exhilarating ways , ways that are immediately applicable to how one lives one 's life .", "this impressionistic documentary is a mystical exploration of the sensory world as experienced by a musician who lost most of her hearing as a teenager .", "it will be frustrating if you expect narrative and linear development . but if you take it on as a new point of view , valuable even if you do n't completely comprehend it yet , MOV is worth the trip .", "the movie makes an interesting addition to what could become riedelsheimer 's evolving and extraordinary gallery of movies that bring the creative process to life .", "it does n't help when glennie tries to elucidate her feelings about nature and music in holistic , broad strokes that border on nonsense .", "thomas riedelsheimer 's portrait of deaf percussionist evelyn glennie is an absolute masterwork , both of filmmaking and of musicianship .", "a coy yet worthy profile of celebrated scottish percussionist evelyn glennie .", "-lsb- a -rsb- fascinating portrait .", "it 's a contemplative piece of work that will leave you questioning the nature of what is audible -- particularly those parts that ` hearing ' people tend to tune out or ignore .", "MOV is remarkable not only because of glennie 's story -- a clinically deaf grammy-winning musician who has played with the world 's great orchestras -- but for the way riedelsheimer uses sound .", "riedelsheimer sees glennie as an angel of hyperawareness and possessor of special spiritual wisdom .", "a documentary that artfully blends sound , image and biography .", "call this a profile in courage .", "riedelsheimer succeeds in showing us glennie 's world as she feels it .", "a feast for the senses .", "this ` sound journey ' -lrb- as the subtitle of the film calls it -rrb- has much to like and recommend .", "like superior tracks on an exhausting double album , the individual moments of wonder in MOV are too powerful to dismiss .", "beautifully shot and filled with gorgeous music , but one of the most inspiring things about it is the way it erases the idea of glennie 's deafness as a handicap .", "we listen to this film more intensely than is usually the case .", "glennie and reidelsheimer prove equally adept at tapping into found sound and transforming it into art .", "a nice introduction to an artist mostly unknown to the general public ... but one that needs to focus more on its strengths and less on outside influences .", "there is a maddening sense of dislocation through much of the movie -- a feeling that genuinely fascinating questions have been squeezed out by woo-woo philosophizing and material -lrb- like glennie 's brief return to the family farm -rrb- of only minor import .", "it 's a spacious , hauntingly meditative film that thankfully does not dwell on the implications of glennie 's deafness .", "the film is a paean to the variety of sound in our world , sound that we experience very differently from how evelyn glennie does .", "this concentration on the physical quality of sounds is a mesmerizing corroboration of glennie 's belief that tones , timbre , and tempo are in `` everything we see . ''", "glennie 's accomplishments in music are as unexpected and against all norms as are lance armstrong 's in sports .", "exquisitely beautiful for the eyes as for the ears .", "it 's a cinematically masterful portrait even if its subject falls short of expectations .", "does n't touch glennie 's greatness .", "evelyn glennie hosts a surrealistic ride through the waves of her preternatural percussion as she invites the audience to feel as they hear .", "fans of the grammy-winning musician will revel in the proximity to their idol , though second pic from talented helmer thomas riedelsheimer plays a tad long to those unfamiliar with his , or her , work .", "rewarding , thought-provoking and subtly visceral ." ], "summary": "not only does this documentary introduce viewers to glennie , it gives them a taste of how she perceives the world .", "id": "6929" }, { "movie": "best_of_enemies_2015", "reviews": [ "new documentary explores the public intellectuals ' televised spats .", "`` MOV '' is one of the most interesting and revelatory documentaries in years . it blows last year 's oscar winner , `` citizenfour '' out of the water .", "there is something about the siren call of the tv camera that can turn even big thinkers into brawlers . it was true then and it 's true now , and `` MOV '' serves as a thoroughly enjoyable reminder .", "for better or for worse , we 'll never again see television quite like that documented in the compelling `` MOV '' ...", "`` MOV '' makes a strong case that the vidal-buckley debates were a sort of gateway drug that led to our insatiable craving for the sort of all-heat , no-light exchanges that form the backbone of today 's 24-hour cable news universe .", "did anyone win ? most say vidal , since buckley descended to physical threats . but really , has anyone won in any of this endless bickering ?", "the high point of the debate was ... never mind . see `` MOV , '' and find out for yourself .", "spending 90 minutes with two insufferably arrogant men is n't an easy recommendation to make , but `` MOV '' is generally quite successful identifying the remarkable nature of the debates .", "like its two subjects , `` MOV '' is lively and smart . unlike them , it 's even-handed .", "MOV offers a bracing view of a pivotal time in our recent history , as vietnam and race riots scarred a nation 's soul , and as the establishment and the counter culture exchanged epithets and blows .", "like the debates it concerns , MOV entertains to a degree , enlightens to another , and asks us to ponder the relative merits of polar political ideologies and two complicated men who very publicly represented them .", "MOV ' detached , sportish depiction of their feud only explores their influence in the shallowest manner .", "vidal vs. buckley-or , as i prefer to think of it , alien vs. predator-has not improved with age . which combatant you cleave to is beside the point , since both of them teeter on the brink of the insufferable .", "one of the gifts of neville and gordon 's -lsb- doc -rsb- is that you do n't need a completist history of the pair and their politics : the electrifying spectacle 's up on the screen for all to see . the assured editing is by chicago 's own aaron wickenden .", "our ability to speak the same language has long been fractured , and MOV tracks the faultlines of that social temblor with remarkable precision .", "`` MOV '' is a riveting , often quite funny , viewing experience -- in black and white , no less .", "it 's great television , but it has been available on youtube for some time now .", "television stops imitating life and becomes it in the first reality show of all time .", "MOV leaves you with an overwhelming sense of despair . it 's not just a great documentary , it 's a vital one .", "cowriter/directors robert gordon and morgan neville show how to take one notorious flashpoint lasting less than 30 seconds from a debate of almost 14 minutes and spiral outwards to build a compelling story .", "engaging , but i wish the film ... went more into -lrb- vidal 's & buckley 's -rrb- personal upbringings to better understand what made them tick .", "MOV does a good job of framing the ten debates with modern talking-head interviews ... in their socio-economic context while relating it to ours .", "MOV plays not only as a lively document of an engaging - and insanely entertaining - intellectual rivalry , but as a lament for the very idea of the public intellectual in contemporary life .", "the film positions those debates as a harbinger of the ideological sword-crossing that has become a staple of tv news . except what we have now , as opposed to the vidal-buckley confrontations , is a lot more yammery than eloquent .", "MOV bowls along smartly , with clips from the tapes spiced with intelligently snarky asides from friends and adversaries of the two men , and spliced with archival footage of the tumultuous times they addressed .", "a timely but unsatisfying exploration of a series of exchanges between conservative buckley and liberal vidal makes its case too little and too late .", "it 's just as equally entertaining and provocative as vidal and buckley 's debates .", "... -lsb- not -rsb- a celebration of intellectual combat , it 's an original-sin tale for where tv news went wrong .", "`` MOV '' is an undisciplined but still interesting look at those two men , and their extraordinary feud .", "`` the MOV '' provides a rich , extraordinarily fascinating account that 's sure to have many viewers ' minds constantly shuttling between then and now ...", "the idea may not seem so radical , in this day and age of reality tv excess and internet outrage : giving a national broadcast forum to two highly opinionated intellectuals to argue about politics .", "the arguments about sex , war , race and culture have hardly quieted since 1968 . buckley and vidal may rest in peace , but the rest of us have stayed plastered .", "as an introduction to a pivotal moment in how the media frames politics , it 's essential stuff : this is the moment when pundit culture was born .", "fleet , brutally funny and ultimately mournful for the lost art of informed public intellectuals brandishing wounding insights , the film is a fizzy bath of expertly organized archival footage and commentary ...", "not only does this riveting documentary skillfully portray the debates , it also deftly examines how the debates affected vidal 's and buckley 's personal lives and the future of political discourse in general .", "this deliciously feisty doc contextualizes their verbal brawls and the odd love-hate -lrb- mostly hate -rrb- rivalry between two men who seemed able to regard their own sense of heroism only through the other 's villainy .", "a must-view film for our media-besotted age ...", "MOV is , in the truest sense , a delicious entertainment of real-life deep-seeded resentments perfect for any size screen .", "the doc 's centerpiece - the series of debates , which escalated as the protests outside did the same - is giggly stuff . but it 's the postscript that takes it to another level .", "this account of the incendiary debates between william f. buckley and gore vidal during the 1968 republican and democratic conventions recalls a time long gone .", "witty , nasty and laugh-out-loud hilarious", "morgan neville and robert gordon 's gripping doc is structured like a boxing movie , but in this case the pugilists are intellectual heavyweights", "builds to a stunning final confrontation that changed the lives of both men .", "a fascinating , hugely enjoyable essay on media history - and on intellectual vanity .", "it 's fascinating . it 's horrible . it 's fascinatingly horrible .", "a must-see for anyone seriously interested in our political history and the current ` culture wars ' afflicting our nation .", "a must-see account of the birth of passionate , television punditry .", "the bruises inflicted that summer are now visible daily on so many channels , but they 're often inflicted by combatants who are far less mighty .", "the fascination and tragedy of MOV is that these two great minds squandered what might 've been their best chance to show the broadcast media how to have a vigorous , entertaining , useful argument about where the country was headed .", "`` MOV '' illustrates how even literary swashbucklers can be reduced to schoolboy behavior .", "it 's a first-class primer on how political news commentary had its true start . long before it became something to ridicule on comedy central .", "watching the modern day clips , you keenly feel the loss of both vidal and buckley , although this riveting , impressively crafted and thought-provoking film at least provides a fitting tribute .", "politics : this time it 's personal .", "a brilliant , hilarious , exhilarating look at the gore vidal v. william f. buckley paradigm-busting 1968 debates that changed tv journalism for the worse .", "MOV tell the story behind the gripping and often howlingly funny sixties television debates between two american intellectuals : william buckley jr. and gore vidal .", "some may argue outside events - antiwar protests , civil unrest - are pushed to the background , but this is a documentary about hugely erudite , larger-than-life personalities .", "these debates are a fascinating , lost minuet of personal and political disdain .", "outstanding account of a pivotal moment in small-screen history .", "a fascinating , supremely well-judged and unexpectedly touching documentary .", "a documentary about the exchanges that started the trend of shouting matches passing themselves off as political talk .", "by engaging celebrity worship rather than using these figures for deeper claims about media-dominated information cultures , morgan and neville reinforce to the very circumstances they outwardly condemn .", "for american viewers of an intellectual/historical persuasion , there could scarcely be any documentary more enticing , scintillating and downright fascinating than MOV .", "a juicy and thrilling documentary about two intellectual titans who truly loathed one another .", "the two men made serious policy discussions wickedly entertaining and decidedly personal , and neville and gordon knew that they had a gold mine in the debate footage that is the centerpiece of their movie .", "unfolding over the course of a month , these debates were a game-changing event in american politics and unscripted television , which left both men continuing to trade barbs for decades .", "there is great pathos and tragedy in both men 's lives , and as much humor as there is in the film , it is underlined with a sadness .", "terrific archival clips of the debates , spot-on talking head commentaries from familiar well-loved , far cooler urbane heads from jack paar and dick cavett to christopher hitchens . what a fun ride !", "reminiscent of when we were kings , neville and gordon set up the prize fight and then let the two intellectual heavyweights deliver the blows .", "it 's a fascinating tale that 's exhilarating and engaging , an entirely fitting and vital showcase for the film 's iconoclastic subjects .", "by drilling down into these two men and their conflict , MOV ends up having a lot to say about how we talk about politics and how we relate to -- and hate -- each other .", "the on-camera clashes between william f. buckley jr. and gore vidal are vividly and entertainingly recounted in this fascinating documentary .", "almost as smart , funny and vicious as buckley and vidal themselves .", "MOV is effective as both a chronicle of a fraught era in american history and an origin story of the modern state of american televised news journalism .", "-lsb- a -rsb- delightful account of the infamous televised debates between liberal firebrand gore vidal and conservative gadfly william f. buckley , jr. , during the 1968 republican and democratic conventions .", "smart , insightful , thought-provoking and wildly entertaining .", "between the hyperbole and fudged history , the directors deliver a rather insightful , evenhanded profile of two know-it-alls who never knew when to shut up .", "it worked because both participants knew how to produce witty remarks on cue ...", "the details of what went down are fascinating , but the ultimate focus of MOV is television and this demonstration that it can be both eminently viewable and illuminating .", "what followed -lsb- in the debates -rsb- was not so much a clash of well-articulated ideas as a clash of highly articulate persons who regarded ideas as ammunition .", "it goes down easy enough , and in this day and age , waiting until the end credits to include the obligatory jon stewart clip classifies as restraint .", "from a modern vantage point , the level of their conversation is astonishingly high -- at least until it degenerated . but then , that degeneration has its share of fascinations too .", "works so well because the filmmakers understand that the personalities at the center of the fray should anchor things .", "MOV , like most documentaries , generally feels as though it 'd be more at home within a much shorter running time , and yet there 's no denying that the movie provides an eye-opening look at two intensely compelling -lrb- and competitive -rrb- figures .", "neville and gordon do especially well to capture the emotional gravity of the political situation and demand the audience 's attention .", "MOV is a spellbinding story , a poignant tale of foibles among greatness , and a vivid portrait of events that were like the year they occurred -- a stark line between what was , and what thereafter would be .", "the film revolves around the famous feud between political pundits gore vidal and william f. buckley jr. . it feeds our urge to be flies on the wall in the midst of such a fight . and it sheds light on why we all share that dark desire .", "a riveting look at a tv revolution .", "sadly , for a film at least partially about the impact of evening news and political coverage , little importance is given to the actual political content as compared to the results .", "reminds us how thrilling and provocative an intelligent debate can be .", "entertaining look at two gigantic egos in conflict on national television -- and of historical significance as the birth of the political tv pundit .", "a smart , engrossing documentary about a political and media moment in the united states in the 1960s ; a moment whose resonance is topical and whose reverberations have been enduring .", "-lsb- a -rsb- colorful and entertaining a portrait of that moment -- and the fascinating personalities who created it .", "an often spell-binding account of the culture-changing television debates that took place in 1968 between conservative william f buckley jr and liberal gore vidal ... compulsive viewing .", "... more measured and less fun than the encounters between buckley and vidal . that 's not the film 's fault -- the live events were charged with a suspenseful energy , the sense that real violence could break out at any moment ..." ], "summary": "smart , fascinating , and funny , MOV takes a penetrating -- and wildly entertaining -- look back at the dawn of pundit politics .", "id": "771412027" }, { "movie": "what_would_jesus_buy", "reviews": [ "seeing wwjb ? in a theater is not necessary , although seeing him and the choir hijacking a mall in person would be better than beowulf in imax .", "reverend billy is a charismatic presence , even if his shtick is too silly and the documentary too unfocused to motivate any serious change in the nation 's holiday spending habits .", "these bits of information could have been shocking in about 1940 , 1980 and 1990 . but by now , americans who do n't know could n't care less .", "talen runs the risk of losing his purpose amid his performance .", "this funny , yet thought provoking film asks many questions that have plagued consumerism for decades . while much of the ground tracked over is old , it fits perfectly into the modern economic situation .", "in wwjb , we do n't really feel like we get to know anyone that well , not even the primary subjects of the film : billy and his choir .", "the shopaholic wages of sin are ... the shopocalypse !", "so we need a better movie about this subject . as usual .", "having illuminated the many dimensions in that vast universe between the flat affect of creative depression and the modish affectation of emo posing , corbijn manages control with elegant , understated veneration .", "the good reverend and his crew do their best to get busted at assorted corporate shrines -lrb- disneyland , the mall of america -rrb- , but their media-driven antics serve only to underline spurlock 's add-water-and-stir approach to political documentary .", "fake collar or not , he makes a pretty good preacher .", "it 's a wickedly effective indictment of america 's consumer compulsion , our mindless shopping and the multinational corporations controlling it all .", "at the very least , the documentary MOV ? might make a viewer think twice about that next purchase at the gap .", "MOV ? is must-see viewing for anyone who thinks of christmas as just a mall and its night visitors .", "wwjb ? encourages viewers to think outside the big box of super stores such as wal-mart .", "if you 're going to live by the word of the church of stop shopping , a smart first step would be to avoid buying tickets to this film .", "MOV ? is a wonderful film . it 's a must-see pre-christmas , or at any time of the year .", "possibly the feeblest entry yet in the anti-corporate theatre-of-muckraking genre .", "MOV ? is paved with good intentions ...", "my take is that it should be renamed the church of stop yelling at me because you 've made your point .", "an entertaining and eye-opening christmas documentary .", "MOV ? is one of those all-too-common issue-docs that 's so clear about its point that it 's practically pointless .", "with a provocative title clearly designed to get viewers ' attention , it 's disappointing that -lsb- the movie -rsb- does n't actually have much to say .", "rob van alkemade 's hilarious , eye-opening documentary MOV provides a simple and surprisingly powerful directive to the american people : stop shopping .", "most viewers will be left to wonder whether the message is connecting .", "the film gets a little heavy handed , but it 's an important message .", "merry capitalism !", "this rob vanalkemade film has a good title and no focus .", "it is impossible not to be impressed by their sincerity and commitment .", "a comical cry in the silent night against , as george burns ' old song put it , the trend towards using people and loving things - instead of using things and loving people .", "the movie offers both intriguing portraiture and probing cultural analysis .", "this is n't just an easy shot at consumerism , it becomes , instead , an incisive look at the cognitive disconnect of the public at large , that hates the stress , emotional and financial , of the holidays , but nonetheless whole-heartedly joins in the mayhem", "one of the producers of MOV ? was morgan spurlock , and the film is very much in the spirit of his super size me .", "if gary busey ever played elmer gantry , he 'd look like reverend billy , the real-life fire-and-brimstone preacher who embarks `` on a mission to save christmas from overconsumption . ''", "this production is slick , well-paced , and tremendously entertaining .", "genuine and meaningful provocateurs like talen are vital , and his message is a glad one to anymore who abhors the walmart-ification of america .", "while the movie may be a good vehicle for rev. billy 's points , it 's too tied to his point of view .", "an amiable but also angry documentary .", "and as far as sermons go , it 's a good one . you just wish the director had found someone else to deliver it .", "it 's not much of a film , but it 's a swell opinion column .", "obvious or not , heeding reverend billy 's anti-shopacolypse gospel could make your holidays a little simpler , sweeter , and saner .", "while you can appreciate what the choir and the film are trying to say , too often they get bogged down in trying to spread that message . they also take themselves a little too seriously at times .", "i really like the message the movie has to say ... i just wish the whole package were good enough to recommend as a gift to give yourself instead of another hour and a half at the mall .", "watch it , then cut back on your credit-card purchases and say hallelujah ! to reverend billy .", "my nomination for a new christmas perennial : MOV ?", "in a strange way , `` MOV ? '' might actually be the most heartwarming holiday movie out there this year .", "the choir might have more impact if they did n't seem like a traveling theater troupe led by some odd blend of an electrocuted quentin tarantino and poison 's c.c. deville .", "not bad for a fake preacher .", "you know that deflated feeling you get after you 've spent a lot of time and money shopping -- and have little to show for your efforts ? this disappointing biography , about performance artist reverend billy , does an awfully good job recreating it .", "the passion that is evident in the stop shopping gospel choir is contagious and admirable . many christian churches could learn a few things from this secular outfit .", "part horror movie , part agitprop theater , MOV ? is a documentary on a mission ." ], "summary": "wwjb is an eye opening doc about consumerism that manages to be both funny and informative .", "id": "770678747" }, { "movie": "compliance_2012", "reviews": [ "if a movie 's success is measured by its ability to get under our skin and provoke a reaction , then this might be the film of the year . designed to make us furious , this drama pushes us to the brink as we shout at the characters for being so naive .", "a punchy and effective drama .", "an effective , nasty little film from craig zobel .", "an uncomfortable , provocative little drama that really gets under the skin and will not be for all tastes .", "well as the film is performed , particularly by dowd as the manager attempting to make order out of chaos , you can scarcely credit what happens .", "i admired its courageous realism , the fact that it dares to be unpopular yet truthful . unlike most movies , it will give you plenty to think about .", "the film edges forward diffidently , never quite matching strength of craft to strength of idea . it 's creepily beguiling even so ...", "zobel 's morality thriller offers uncomfortable commentary on the sport that can so easily be had at the expense of those on the lower rungs of the social ladder .", "zobel 's feature film brings out the creepy , banal horror of this culminating event , and the awful contemporary insights .", "needs more than its `` based on a true story '' disclaimer to short-circuit our sceptical instinct .", "get ready to cringe or crawl under your seat -lrb- that 's a compliment -rrb-", "-lsb- zobel -rsb- forgets that less is often more and his film loses credibility ... in the end everyone just seems excessively stupid because we have never been complicit .", "a wickedly compelling thriller , a skin-crawling , stranger-than-fiction examination of the darkest power of authority .", "... the intent is clearly to provoke a strong reaction . but once that is elicited , what 's left ? not enough for my liking .", "watching MOV recently , i also began to squirm and talk back , but not because i disliked the movie , which i think is brilliant .", "the picture has a calm neutrality that makes the unpleasant events we witness even more disturbing .", "it 's a highly political work about how some people can be made to do vile things just for the wispiest promise that the powers above will go a little bit easier on them .", "incredibly thorny issues of morality , responsibility , loyalty , trust and resentment are in play here .", "` MOV ' offers a compelling case that we may not be quite so freethinking as we believe .", "skirts the credibility line , occasionally coming off as a stretch and other times so eerily plausible it might as well be a documentary .", "snapshots of greasy fries and slimy grills pump up the unsavory atmosphere , while heather mcintosh 's ominous , cello-driven score plucks our nerves and stirs our stomachs .", "-lsb- it -rsb- has a sharp psychological point and a ca n't - look-away quality even as it turns horrifically dark .", "MOV is torture to sit through . it 's also indispensable filmmaking . this fact-based movie is going to present you with questions that will haunt you long after you leave the theater .", "the only film of 2012 that had me actively booing its villain - a mundane monster who does n't need to touch his victims to scar them for life .", "despite the limited setting , MOV is often unbearably tense .", "it 's a deeply moral movie about the failure of morality , as grueling to watch as it is necessary .", "too condescending to be trusted , too manipulative to be believed , too turgid to be enjoyed , too shameless to be endured and , before and after everything else , too inept to make its misanthropic case .", "a harrowing , gut-wrenching fable about power and authority that shows that even the most well-adjusted , ordinary person could be tempted to degrade and dehumanize their neighbor .", "it 's a milgram experiment for the viewer .", "zobel makes his setting feel immediate and real , from the gum-smacking employees to the dowdy manager who just wants to do the right thing .", "ultimately what is fascinating about MOV is its suggestion of the near-universality , and ultimate mundanity , of the totalitarian reflex .", "MOV ends up being about certain things that it would rather not be about .", "a thoroughly disturbing , sometimes mean-spirited indie narrative film .", "there is a level of stupidity displayed by the people in this movie that beggars belief . their behavior is to stupidity as the death star is to a doughnut .", "an upsetting film . . if you 're looking for a film that shoves you way out of your comfort zone , this one will do the trick .", "gripping indie drama unsettles the audience with its study of human behavior manipulated by a bogus authority figure .", "zobel has proposed an intriguing , disturbing concept . but he makes leaps . MOV is a good film . i wish it had been a little better .", "taut , edgy , at times almost farcical yet remaining incredibly powerful , this is a small scope film big on execution .", "MOV is one of the toughest sits of the movie year 2012 . but it 's an uncompromising and , in its way , honorable drama built upon a prank call that goes on and on , getting worse and worse for the people on the other end of the line .", "director craig zobel delivers a hard-hitting and tense study of morality with MOV , a menacing drama meant to provoke strong reactions and discussions after the credits roll .", "calm on the surface but the subtext is ferocious with the shocking way people succumb to savage impulses when people in positions of power are morally tainted", "it 's a squirm-in-your-seat kind of experience . but it deserves to be seen .", "it 's a creepy and frightening demonstration of the risks society faces when accepting authority without question . and it 's made visceral by the astonishing performances", "it 's a creepy and frightening demonstration of the risks society faces when accepting authority without question . and it 's made visceral by the astonishing performances", "this little independent american film might be the scariest thing you see this year ... a shattering film about human psychology of which the young martin scorsese would have been proud .", "the implications are frightening and the premise fascinating as we are able to see how something like this can spiral out of control . yet zobel stretches our patience and tests the credibility of the narrative - mostly to its detriment", "this psychodrama of ill-advised behavior may well leave you feeling dirty ... for what you 've watched helplessly and perhaps for what you 've countenanced as an american citizen .", "this is one insistent film , more evocative of human behavior than movies that take fewer risks ever could be .", "there 's a humanity here , even for the restaurant manager . but that still does n't make `` MOV '' easy to ingest .", "... a sadomasochistic mind-trip ... it has the lingering impact of a gruesome freeway pileup you do n't want to look , but you ca n't help yourself .", "MOV will leave you shocked and offended , but it misses out on any opportunity to be anything outside of a dramatization .", "MOV is a difficult film to watch -- walkouts have been reported at more than one screening -- but it 's also a calculating and intimate deconstruction of the greater social ills that our fast-food nation faces as a whole .", "one of the most deeply disturbing movies of recent vintage .", "there 's the adage that life is nasty , brutish and short . it 's even worse when you 're half-naked and locked in a supply room with your boss .", "its skillfully constructed scene-setting montages , its fraught , gliding camera moves and attractive compositions seem judgmental , suggesting the filmmakers are superior to and more sensitive , certainly , than the characters .", "` MOV ' takes an extremely unpleasant and nauseating experience for everyone involved and puts this masterful spin on it to make it not only watchable , but a really solid piece of film overall .", "a fairly deliberate and effective piece of provocation .", "the movie 's frightening momentum ca n't be denied ; indeed , it 's the whole point .", "MOV is a disturbing , exciting and instructive film about matters we should all be prepared to face .", "zobel is canny enough to gradually intensify the level of discomfort to ensure the characters ' increasing irrationality feels honest in the situation , regardless of how out-of-whack it seems from a distance .", "that the events in MOV are taking place in a fast-foot restaurant is equally resonant . the junk food we see being prepared could n't be more disgusting . surely , you ca n't help but think , anyone prepared to swallow that will swallow anything .", "the perfect companion piece to your copy of fast food nation .", "it 's all but guaranteed we 'll each arrive at different breaking points while watching zobel 's pressure-cooker of a movie .", "MOV is a horror movie with no sudden frights , no gore , and not a single scream . it 's a surveillance video , capturing us with all our blemishes ; a reminder that how we see ourselves is so rarely in line with the truth", "a frightening look at the power of authority and the human desire to avoid conflict .", "... a movie that feeds on collective emotions -- anger , denial and , most of all , fear -- but also triggers explosives along the faultlines of class .", "dark , disturbing , confrontational stuff . also a damn good film .", "MOV is diminutively sufficient and blandly adequate with no additional layers that elevate its small independent nature . it feels rather one note riding on the promise of a distinctive tale that never totally comes to fulfillment .", "a thriller worthy of a viewing , and a shower to cleanse yourself , afterward .", "MOV functions as a fascinating and mortifying glimpse at how readily and illogically people will submit to authority , whether it 's law enforcement or a boss .", "-lsb- it -rsb- leaves you in a dark moral place you 'd really rather not be .", "it might make you a tougher person after watching it .", "zobel 's film shocks , but leaves the viewer to uncover the real story for themselves .", "this is a squirmy watch - but of course , it is supposed to be .", "MOV , for its sheer nerve in tackling such difficult , yet need-to-know material is a terrific film .", "a riveting , horrifying film , shot through with beautifully observed moments of unwelcome truth .", "the film ultimately feels exploitative , especially in its schematic selectiveness about what to show or not .", "impressively directed and superbly acted , this is a gripping and disturbing thriller , made all the more horrific by the knowledge that this actually happened over 70 times .", "the point of MOV , which caused walkouts and shouting matches when it premiered at the sundance film festival , is how we are programmed to do things that go against our natural instincts as long as we believe we have the law on our side .", "dowd 's performance -- showing sandra 's eagerness to please the `` cop '' and her hesitancy to follow orders -- burns in the mind long after the movie 's over .", "morally complex look at human behavior leaves you shaking your head in disbelief", "about as far from an easy watch as you could imagine , MOV is a seedy little story that you 'll wind up watching between the cracks in your fingers .", "without a single bullet in sight , craig zobel has crafted an ingenious , dizzying conversation piece of a thriller .", "MOV strips bare the fallacy of equivalent free will . it gets under one 's skin in a manner few films do , but sticks in one 's head the same way all great ones do .", "i admire the workings of the movie , in the same cool way i might regard a machine gun as a work of art ...", "irritating one-note indie film .", "a brilliant psychological thriller that i 'd struggle to watch a second time .", "based on real criminal cases , this is one of the year 's most powerful , squirm-inducing , unsettling dramas .", "among the highlights -lsb- of bamcinemafest -rsb- ... provocative !", "psychologically astute and brilliantly executed , `` MOV '' is a challenging film that cuts to the heart of difficult ethical questions about the nature of power .", "... an aggressively manipulative piece of work that 's been shamelessly designed to shock and provoke the viewer .", "zobel has created a tale that will leave audiences angry if not downright nauseated by journey 's end .", "disturbing in that it feels so damn real .", "it seems as if craig zobel wants to implicate the audience in these proceedings , but he does n't have a very clear idea how to go about it .", "MOV develops an intriguing premise intelligently , inquisitively and uncomfortably .", "`` MOV '' is a very uncomfortable movie . it makes us question our own readiness to allow strangers at airports to grope our nether regions through our clothes , or even to strip search us while we act like defenseless victims .", "zobel shoots his queasy little psych test with i 'm - just-the-messenger documentary neutrality , challenging as he goes : do you want to look away now ? how about now ? will you walk out ?", "MOV is a fascinating and deeply unsettling version of true events , but it goes past that , with art and honesty .", "it never loses sight of its goal to persuade us to be more aware , more questioning of our leaders and institutions , from politicians to priests to , in this case , the police .", "that the thriller is based on real incidents only magnifies its effect .", "one watches in horrified fascination , and a greater horror comes when one realizes that , placed in the same kind of situation , one might react in the same way .", "the intimate setting ratchets up the suspense without turning exploitative .", "you 'll spend the bulk of the film squirming in your seat .", "shows good intentions gone bad -lrb- and bad intentions gone horrible -rrb- , with characters persuaded to bite off inch by inch until an entire yard is gone .", "a film designed to provoke social as well as cinematic comment .", "we feel like gutless witnesses to a crime .", "filled with superior performances , MOV does everything within its power to make a far-fetched situation believable .", "a thriller that permits you to stay two or three steps ahead of it . it 's a film that makes you yell at the screen , to shout `` come on ! '' at many a moment that seems to defy credulity .", "fails its first test , which is that the audience believe every word of it .", "in taut , gripping and deeply disturbing fashion , writer-director craig zobel measures the depths to which rational individuals will sink to obey a self-anointed authority figure in MOV .", "the cast here is so terrific that they turn a movie that takes place almost entirely in one dingy room into rich theater ...", "it 's not just about some woefully misguided fast-food employees : it 's about the scared , intimidated and unquestioning follower in all of us .", "it 's remarkably well-crafted , as it looks good and sounds good and features a tight , economical script .", "as disturbing as it is , it 's even moreso when you realize it 's based on true events .", "craig zobel fashions tough , challenging material in the guise of a dark comic thriller and those too willing to dismiss it or drum up unnecessary controversy are part of the problem and not the solution .", "i ca n't say i liked sitting through MOV , but i can say that i think it 's significant , and that it cements zobel 's place as a serious filmmaker with an important voice .", "almost every frame of the film is squirmy , alerting every part of your brain that what you are seeing is just plain wrong .", "likely to spur discussions about workplace safety , employee rights and broader awareness of sexual predation , MOV is also a suspenseful psychological drama for viewers prepared to tolerate its extremes .", "as a portrait of what people are willing to accept simply because other people are going along with it , `` MOV '' is an almost endlessly fascinating study of human behavior , disturbingly unflattering as its conclusions may be .", "a disturbing , fact-based look at the ways in which people can be bullied into bowing to the demands of authority figures .", "bravely uncomfortable and sure to inspire heated post-movie -lrb- and likely mid-movie -rrb- conversation , MOV is haunting , positively enraging when it sinks in that this was no nightmare , but a reality .", "zobel 's masterful direction and screenplay heighten the distress of authority figures possessing unseen persuasion over naive employees , exposing a disturbing and haunting look at what some workers are willing to do in order to follow orders .", "zobel , a second-time feature filmmaker , has put together a skillful , sympathetic but unsparing re-enactment of a small-scale atrocity , and his cast plays it out with natural , understated performances .", "like a john hughes movie hijacked by roman polanski , this troubling indie effort lays bare the sadomasochism of the american workplace .", "so long as you can tolerate the frustration it fosters , it 's hard not to appreciate such intelligent provocation .", "for once , the title card `` based on true events '' is not some cheap gimmick to lend a story importance ; it is a despondent cry of shock , disbelief , and , above all , outrage .", "perhaps the most disturbing movie of the year . not a horror film , but given that we ca n't excuse the behavior as belonging to illegal aliens or felons eluding of the law ... maybe it 's a new strain of horror after all .", "this is a well-made film , with plausible performances by all the leads , especially ann dowd . we feel we know people like this .", "we think we 're more world-wise than these people and that this could never happen and then zobel brilliantly forces us to come to terms with those judgments .", "disturbing and unlikely as it may be , this stuff actually happened , and pretty much as craig zobel relates it ." ], "summary": "anchored by smart , sensitive direction and strong performances , complicance is a ripped-from-the-headlines thriller that 's equal parts gripping and disturbing .", "id": "771267239" }, { "movie": "harry_potter_and_the_prisoner_of_azkaban", "reviews": [ "everything they screwed up in the first two harry potter movies they fix in the new one .", "just about everything plays better this time .", "-lsb- cuaron -rsb- leaves his mark without betraying the source material .", "the film 's disarming blend of freshness and darkness should please the potter faithful and win new followers .", "MOV proves that a new director with a different perspective can freshen a series that could otherwise resort to stale repetition .", "it 's much darker in mood and look than its predecessors , and it moves much faster , refusing to coddle or spoon-feed those who have n't seen the first two movies or read the books . this is both asset and detriment .", "in cuaron 's hands , the world of harry potter does n't feel like a synthetic movie theme park anymore . it 's almost real , hogwarts and all .", "almost everything about this movie looks and feels right .", "prisoner of azkaban sustains the good vibe of harry potter 's previous screen appearances , while also being blessed with a wand 's worth of cuaron 's movie magic .", "MOV offers what neither of its predecessors , for all their wand-waving and witch-brooms , had : real magic .", "with MOV , director alfonso cuaron has wrought a wondrous fantasy that 's light on its feet and full of heart . this movie targets the funny bone and tingles the spine .", "there has n't been a truly great harry potter movie yet , but this is a step in the right direction .", "darker , edgier and more artful than its predecessors . what 's even more surprising is that it 's actually very good !", "harry potter is 13 now , an awkward age for anyone -- even a boy wizard armed with magical powers . but MOV , the third film in the series , could n't be more self-assured .", "the third installment in the harry potter series , is everything the first two films were not : complex , frightening , nuanced .", "... has exactly what the earlier ones lacked - a sense of magic of its own .", "the third time 's the charm with this visual confection .", "did we mention chris columbus did n't direct this film ?", "it just chugs along briskly , riding a wave of wonder and enthusiasm .", "the other films felt like nothing more than companion pieces to the novels , illustrations to go along with the words ; this one stands on its own .", "this is a true adaptation , giving the impression of filming the whole book while carefully choosing what to include and leave out -- and thus it feels more complete and satisfying .", "the first true harry potter movie -- the first to capture not only the books ' sense of longing , but their understanding of the way magic underlies the mundane , instead of just prancing fancifully at a far remove from it .", "it helps that i 'm a huge fan of rowling 's harry potter books , and love the core story so much -lrb- especially azkaban -rrb- that i 'm apt to overlook some minor quibbles .", "all hail harry potter !", "the third edition of this classic tale brings thrills , chills and a new direction .", "-lsb- e -rsb- ven if you 're never read a word of the potter books and you have n't seen the first two films , azkaban stands alone as a creative triumph .", "as in `` princess '' and `` mama , '' cuaron explores the secret lives of young people forging identities in an adult world that alternately wants to ignore and to control them .", "-lsb- a -rsb- whimsically solid entry . cuaron creates a harry potter universe that is visually more stunning and sardonic in content ... a viably entertaining creepy coming-of-age saga", "`` while still riveting and wonderful in its mythology , is somewhat clunky and confounding in execution . ''", "le meilleur , ou le plus mature au minimum , des films de la s\u00e9rie .", "the adults may like it as much as any of the children in the audience . but the series is reaching a point of diminishing returns .", "alfonso cuar\u00f3n has fashioned j.k. rowling 's imaginative text into a visually and emotionally satisfying stunner .", "this is n't the grade three incarnation of harry potter anymore .", "troubling and turbulent as any coming-of-age saga worth its agony must be . it feels absolutely true , and absolutely magical .", "it is n't worth sitting through almost two-and-a-half hours of a movie without enough for anyone other than a certified potter fan .", "the sets are spectacular and the effects largely seamless .", "there are some pretty nifty scenes and special effects .", "the darkest , most heavily plotted and handsomely crafted film of the three , but what 's missing without chris columbus in the director 's chair is the gee-whiz sense of wonder .", "un renacimiento de la saga , el brinco inevitable a la pubertad y el puente sin regreso del mundo de la magia inocua , a la fant\u00e1stica esfera del horror y lo desconocido .", "despite a meandering middle and an anti-climatic ending , this installment is better than its predecessors in nearly every way .", "potter 's third year is his most inventive yet .", "like the first two movies , this is loaded with computer-generated imagery , but for the first time there 's a sense of dramatic proportion balancing the spectacle and the story line .", "fantastic , but kids are older , themes are darker .", "cuar\u00f3n filigrees his film with brilliantly outsized projections of harry 's fears and underlying realities . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "just like the books that the films are based on , this franchise gets better with each installment .", "the best of the franchise so far ...", "for the first time , the non-converted may actually see what all the fuss is about .", "this is easily the best harry potter film yet , though a few qualifiers need to be added to that endorsement .", "alfonso cuar\u00f3n brings a darker , edgier , scarier feel to this installment .", "given arguably the best book of the series to work from , new director alfonso cuar\u00f3n has turned out the best film to date , too .", "younger children might be put off by the darker tone of this movie , but the franchise 's new direction holds promise .", "for the final hour of the two-hour - and-21-minute azkaban is the closest any of the films has gotten to capturing the enormously pleasing essence of the potter books .", "stretching the pg rating to its breaking point , mr. cuaron has directed the creepiest and scariest potter picture yet -- and to my mind , the best .", "until now harry potter has been a great book character and a functional movie hero . with cuaron leading the way , harry has burst from the printed page to soar on-screen .", "it is perfect evidence for the obvious truth potter fans must face . the only great harry potter movies will be those we create in our minds as readers .", "harry potter and the wizard of azkaban is precisely the kind of invention the franchise needed .", "the silliest , as well as the most contrived -- and confusing -- of them all .", "an entrancing experience for potter fans .", "an influx of terrific british actors , the oncoming adulthood of the film 's three young stars and the fabulous effect that is the hippogriff sock this one over", "the world of harry potter remains delightful , amusing and sophisticated .", "cuar\u00f3n 's involvement should have made this the best of the series , but '' ` prisoner ' '' once again falls prey to author rowling 's tendency towards a lack of sophistication .", "despite a stronger appreciation for the characters ' psyches , prisoner of azkaban gets messy when cuar\u00f3n feels rushed .", "while i confess to being almost utterly lost within the narrative within about 20 minutes , i could n't take my eyes off the screen .", "this chapter leaves me little enthused for the future .", "a harry potter picture that flirts with -- and possibly even achieves -- greatness .", "cuar\u00f3n ... uses his enchanting vision to send rowling 's third installment down its dark , wondrous , often captivating road in grand style and with a generally steady pace .", "the most magical thing is how much older and bigger our young movie stars are", "harry is confronted by the dementors , ghastly prison guards who feed on every good feeling , every happy memory , and every repeat showing of the shawshank redemption on tnt .", "now that the groundwork has been laid , the series is free to really explore some compelling themes .", "the visual imagination on display in this film is head and shoulders above the first two films .", "cuaron leaves peter jackson and his bloody hobbits choking on his dust .", "rowling 's prose unwittingly resembles the monster books that try to eat the students .", "darker than the first two installments though not too scary for the youngest in the audience .", "nothing much happens to enhance any of the characters aside from the tenuous hand-holding of ron and hermione - and azkaban generates very little energy along the way", "the first movie in the series with fear and wonder in its bones , and genuine fun , too .", "cuaron 's resume all but guarantees he 'll be given the free ride that columbus never enjoyed . yet the truth is that , while far from a dud , this is the weakest of the films .", "cuar\u00f3n has also taken more narrative liberties than columbus did , and all of them are good , restructuring the film 's chronology for increased dramatic impact", "the third harry potter movie is the first one that actually looks and feels like a movie , rather than a staged reading with special effects .", "a convincing exploration of adolescence when one is tossed and turned by doubts about self and others and exhilarated by fantastic energy and derring do .", "a marvel of special effects seamlessly hitched to a powerful coming-of-age story .", "this latest film is a lot darker in tone , and thanks to the new director alfonso cuaron , it 's also a great deal scarier .", "best just to sit back and marinate in the richness of the movie 's texture and ignore the sloppy screenplay .", "here , finally , is a harry potter movie i 'd happily see again .", "in a series that 's episodic by definition , too many of these episodes lack any climax or payoff .", "you could call this one harry potter grows up . at the very least , the transition from chris columbus to alfonso cuaron has helped propel j.k. rowling 's hero from childhood into the difficult teen years .", "it 's arguably the most fun harry potter film to watch : inventive , quick-moving , playful , beautiful .", "what makes prisoner of azkaban so successful is that , like the earlier films in the franchise , it actually adapts the book from which it takes its name .", "prisoner of azkaban lacks the depth that those of us old enough to drive may have enjoyed in the earlier potter installments .", "cuar\u00f3n brought to the potter franchise a quality curiously missing from the two previous films : magic .", "ok , so the narrative may be a tad shaky , but what lends azkaban its edge is the unabashedly creepy tone that cuaron conjures .", "turning 13 suits our intrepid hogwarts students just fine in MOV .", "it 's the most moving and inventive live action children 's film in years -lrb- and therefore , just as magical for adults , if not more -rrb- .", "the right word for MOV is wondersful -- as in full of wonders , great and small .", "cuaron delivers a genuinely spooky and emotionally involving adventure which gives the world of potter much-needed character and atmosphere .", "if the first two films could easily have been tightened up by a half-hour or so , this one left me wishing that there were an ` extended edition ' dvd coming .", "cuar\u00f3n is ... having fun with the neverwhere between childhood and adolescence in a deliciously metaphoric way that chris columbus would n't or could n't venture near ...", "how ironic that a story dealing with an escaped prisoner actually manages to set this franchise free .", "showing more depth and range than in the first two harry potter movies , radcliffe , grint and watson have all come into their own .", "`` prisoner '' ironically feels much more unrestrained by the pressure of translating j.k. rowlings ' novels into films and is easier to just enjoy as a movie .", "audiences wo n't be wild about this `` harry '' with its dark , humorless approach", "everything a harry potter movie should be , an awesome visual world housing the volatile heart of a teenager .", "it 's a dazzling , magical cinematic experience .", "the best harry potter adaptation so far ... more emotional , scarier , and demands more from the actors portraying the young wizards , but they all deliver .", "an adaptation worthy of rowling 's marvelous creation-a chapter that spins the story to ever more thrillingly dark , treacherous heights .", "those who feared the franchise might grow as stale as batman or alien need not worry , as cuar\u00f3n proves there is still a little magic left up potter 's sleeve .", "MOV is the best entry , yet , in the series", "the best book in the series is now the best film in the series . we all have a better movie in our heads , but i had a blast seeing what lurked inside curon 's .", "while voluptuously bringing to luscious life the kid-lit world of witchcraft , wizardry and bizarre creatures , has script and plotting as bland as the hardy boys .", "more adult , and seeing this series become gradually more sophisticated , along with its three stars , is a real treat .", "... the most multifaceted and intriguing harry potter film yet .", "... feels at once more magically childlike and grimly grown-up ...", "even though azkaban in many ways is a far more accomplished film than its predecessors , it comes dangerously close to shutting out the nonreader .", "the potter movies have an endearing and light-hearted spirit of whimsy from which a certain other , recent fantasy trilogy -- more overwrought , overlong , and overrated -- could have greatly benefited .", "cuar\u00f3n has imbued this film with his own style and dramatically changed the look and feel of the potter universe ... which i see as a marked improvement .", "in azkaban , cuar\u00f3n has made a character-driven film almost completely devoid of a big , senses-shattering , hollywood climax . even more amazing , you never miss it .", "it 's not a stretch to see emma watson as her generation 's jodie foster - she 's that good .", "the story was a little harder to follow for novices like me", "bring on the geek hate-mail , but MOV mops the floor with lord of the rings", "let 's peek inside harry potter 's inbox , to see what day-to-day life is like for the protagonist of the edgy new prisoner of azkaban .", "... no matter what i say you 're still probably going to see it anyway .", "our wee little wizard is growing up so fast ! ... much like the child actors in the harry potter movies have grown up ... this film and story have grown with them .", "depth of character , cunning humor and hair-raising chills come shining through the visual blitzkrieg of special effects ... far and away the best harry potter movie yet .", "this time , harry potter is in a movie , `` MOV , '' not just a translation of a novel .", "the boys look considerably less interesting whenever hermione 's on screen , she being , again , the creature most in-between .", "a change in directors brings the third installment of the boy-wizard saga even closer to greatness .", "-lrb- director alfonso -rrb- cuaron has created a darker , more sinister world for harry , while also opening up more of the grounds around hogwarts .", "this film tells the exact same story more effectively than j.k. rowling .", "cuar\u00f3n brings a greater sensibility to his topic than did his predecessor chris columbus in the two previous harry potter movies .", "less a proper story in itself than a reminder to enjoy the wonders -lsb- j.k. rowling -rsb- has conjured .", "the literal sensibility that director chris columbus gave to the first two potter films has been replaced by cuaron 's richly cinematic one .", "a highly entertaining epic - arguably the best of the films to date - and one that will entrance fans of the books as well as newcomers .", "at some point you have to start asking with all the mystical potions and gifts of foresight , how do these wizards keep fingering the wrong people for these crimes ?", "i 'm bewildered and frightened to find myself reporting that it 's a very good movie , and it might have been a wonderful one .", "so much time is spent on including juicy little inventions from author rowlands ' pages that the story tension dissipates and the audience 's mind travels to other regions .", "alfonso cuar\u00f3n imprime -lrb- ao filme -rrb- um aspecto sombrio , sem , com isto , perder a caracter\u00edstica mais fascinante da s\u00e9rie : o invencionismo de j.k. rowling .", "-lsb- it -rsb- has moments that come alive , but is confined by an attitude that fantasy need n't pertain to anything beyond itself .", "a shining improvement over the first two potter installments and , in a comment i never thought i 'd say , i would actually love to see azkaban again .", "hogwarts never felt so real . stunning and delicious .", "cuaron replaces the glossy sheen and rote mechanics director christopher columbus brought to the first two films with a dark , rich intensity .", "moves with a new confidence . it 's less scrubbed and disinfected and throbs with a more nightmarish excitement .", "alfonso cuar\u00f3n has successfully brought a harry potter book to the silver screen without losing the magic that made the series an international phenomenon .", "the third time 's the charm . or maybe it 's the second director . either way , `` azkaban '' proves the boy wizard 's most bewitching big-screen adventure yet .", "the prisoner of azkaban is basically a routine vehicle that plods its way through details without giving much incentive to feel engaged by the specifics .", "it 's lupin , with his shabby dignity and tender concern for harry , who 's the emotional counterweight to the teenager 's sadness and anger , and thewlis brings great warmth to his father-figure role .", "a masterpiece .", "it 's far less self-conscious about how to please an audience and is n't as slavishly interactive with its source material .", "cuaron tries to touch on a couple dozen of the subplots that so delightfully and leisurely unfold in the book , but here come off like a fast-forwarded highlight reel .", "a visually ravishing , narratively crisp treatment that represents a major advance on the earlier installments ... not just a good harry potter movie ; it 's a good movie , period .", "the third harry potter movie is the best yet , seemingly less dependent than its predecessors on cinematic gadgetry , and stronger in conveying its characters and story .", "a new filmmaker provides his take on the third book by author and creator j. k. rowling , providing a darker tone that meets the book halfway for its ... wiser student wizard .", "though harry 's now a teenager , daniel radcliffe has n't grown an inch as an actor . no charmer , radcliffe is barely the british version of macaulay culkin .", "this is one long sit , made all the more so by a turgid story , a dour visual palette and uninspiring action .", "cuaron achieves what the first two films failed at : creating an empathetic , human dimension for both harry potter and the entire world of witchcraft and wizardry .", "the first -lsb- of the series -rsb- that really accomplishes what rowling 's books do so well -- respect the intelligence and imagination of harry 's young audience .", "this time out the spell that 's cast is actually a potent one . cuaron 's talent is the magical ingredient in this concoction .", "he 's great , , the dementors are great , everyone else is great and the film is great .", "brilliantly conceived , harry potter & the prisoner of azkaban is a fantastic step up from the first films .", "where cuaron really succeeds is with the actors .", "-lrb- ... -rrb- esta tercera entrega de harry potter luce mucho m\u00e1s fresca y atractiva , casi como una renovaci\u00f3n .", "the third time is less charming and more serious , yet MOV easily meets our requirements for a bewitching adventure .", "-lsb- alfonso cuaron -rsb- has never made a special-effects movie before , and he 's careful to balance the ooh-ahh moments with human interaction .", "an utter delight .", "in cuar\u00f3n 's hands this fantasy has gone from the wildly absurd into the delightfully real .", "thanks to director alfonso cuaron , a dazzling storyteller with a keen eye for whimsical detail , the third film in the potter franchise is a visual delight .", "... the most emotionally effective film in the hp series ...", "a deeper , darker , visually arresting and more emotionally satisfying adaptation of the j.k. rowling literary phenomenon .", "this is the best harry potter film to date .", "-lsb- cuaron 's -rsb- dark touch gives the latest chapter a fresh bolt of energy and - at last ! - a rush of inspiration .", "azkaban is a great adventure , a work that 's marvelous as part of the franchise and on its own .", "pardon the pun , but when it comes to harry potter films , the third time 's a charm .", "a tremendous achievement in production design .", "prisoner may not be perfect , but when it 's good , it 's very good indeed .", "comes very close to soaring .", "here , at last , harry potter and the movie adventure hauls itself up to the standards set by the brilliant books .", "what 's interesting about MOV is that it is both darker and funnier at the same time than the earlier films .", "a refreshing change of pace . sophisticated and distinctive .", "a picture that 's not only a franchise peak but a high point of the whole summer . for the first time in four years of half-trying , i 'm gathering what all the fuss is about .", "the most powerfully entrancing children 's film in years .", "more thoughtful , but still entertaining .", "the overall look is purposely grim and downbeat .", "... a good , atmospheric stepping stone in the potter chronology , with yet something missing to make it an entirely satisfying movie on its own . -lrb- ultimate edition , blu-ray -rrb-", "just like hagrid when he 's faced with the certain death of his faithful pet buckbeak , the audience falls into the emotional trap that cuar\u00f3n creates .", "this is the best of the harry potter films . it 's not that there 's more magic , it 's just more magical .", "a well-paced tween movie that feels modern , timeless , funny and frightening all at once .", "a great continuation of the series and immediately available for viewing in imax ! see it that way if you can !", "a spell whose effect - though effectively and expertly cast - will not likely last much longer than the time it takes to watch it .", "this is n't a radical departure from the previous films . solid entertainment for fans .", "much like a child going through puberty , the maturation of the harry potter franchise has yielded awkward growing pains for the third film in the series .", "not only is this the best harry potter movie , it is the first harry potter movie that actually qualifies as cinema .", "suitably imaginative visuals and a knack for hitting the high points of the plot without missing a beat ... a fabulously wild ride", "pace , acting , composition , cinematography , moody lighting & score create a magical cinematic experience with greater depth , grit and maturity than the previous two .", "anxiously paced and happily embellished , the prisoner of azkaban trades in conflict of the internal variety . it 's also the first harry potter film worth a damn .", "a dark and sombre film that is spookier but less amusing than the first two .", "assured , visually triumphant filmmaking that is n't simply a joy to look at , but also bewitches with its tightly conceived plotting .", "cuar\u00f3n 's appointment to this franchise is quite simply the most inspired hollywood gamble of the year .", "harry potter fans , stand up and cheer for alfonso cuar\u00f3n , who in taking the reins for the third film in the series , has finally infused energy and vitality into the franchise .", "as magical and adventurous as ever , but perhaps just a smidgen darker than its predecessors , and deliciously foreboding .", "until an even more impressive chapter comes along , MOV looms as the apex of the phenomenal new film franchise based on j.k. rowling 's celebrated series of novels .", "it 's hard to imagine that any harry potter movie will ever top the enchanted achievement of prisoner of azkaban .", "the series ' child actors are now teen actors , and the franchise is growing with them .", "fast , fluid and absorbing .", "a marvelous adventure .", "a big , marvelous entertainment we can feel proud to love .", "a different kind of harry potter movie , a better kind .", "` est llena de magia , diversin y personajes que cuarn ha vuelto ms que entraables . felicidades , alfonso ! enhorabuena . '", "the other films had magic brooms , but this is the first picture that flies .", "at long last , here is a film where the computer-generated imagery actually serves the magic rather than being the magic .", "` something wicked this way comes ! ' promises the tagline -- and it delivers !", "entertaining , but it drains any kind of suspense from harry 's adventures by giving the magicians every variety of spell that they need just when they need it .", "i 'm really happy with how this installment turned out . i can easily recommend that you grab the kids and catch it on the big screen .", "consistently glorious to the eye .", "this is a luminous movie -- luminous , imaginative and affecting . for harry potter , at least , the third time is the charm .", "growing up is hard enough for us muggles ; it certainly ca n't be any easier for wizards and witches . this is the first potter movie that examines this .", "despite generic constraints and audience expectations , cuaron has succeeded in making a personal film", "visually marvelous .", "one of the best films so far this year and a big step up from two previous solid efforts .", "cuaron has imbued a touch of the night into harry and rendered the series a good deal more intriguing .", "the ordinariness of the magical world is a theme that runs throughout the film . where columbus went to great lengths to highlight every fantastical thing about this universe , cuaron treats it matter-of-factly .", "cuaron finds the perfect balance of individual style and faithful representation , darkness and light , and delivers the strongest installment in the potter series so far .", "more magical than its cinematic predecessors .", "a mild upkick in pacing and texture can be credited to director alfonso cuar\u00f3n ... who avoids chris columbus 's mastodon-like setups and knows a bit more about whipping up atmospherics .", "artful , fast-moving and engrossing .", "easily the most clever , emotionally affecting and involving of the adaptations so far .", "a fast-paced , suspense-filled adventure that takes viewers on a wild , mesmerizing , magical ride regardless of their age .", "the most atmospheric , heartfelt and elegantly eerie installment so far ... ` mischief managed ' -- marvelously .", "a whole lot of fun , even for those of us who have n't read the books .", "the effects are a wonder to behold .", "as good a movie as anyone will ever make out of j.k. rowling 's revered novels about the boy wizard .", "scarier , funnier , filmed with real style .", "cuaron has more than done it justice , delivering an enjoyable , beautifully directed film that is comfortably superior to its two predecessors .", "a great film -- not just a fun treat or a solid adaptation , but a wonderful movie .", "not only is this dazzler by far the best and most thrilling of the three harry potter movies to date , it 's a film that can stand on its own even if you never heard of author j.k. rowling and her young wizard hero .", "the potter universe is finally imaged with magical perfection . any chance cuar\u00f3n could re-do hp1 and hp2 ?", "it 's all rattling good fun .", "a darker , scarier , more mature film than either of its predecessors , in my book , better , too .", "the best of the films to date .", "cuaron has done what few sequel caretakers ever manage , refreshing the characters and stories for a long potential run .", "the potter movies come of age .", "the childlike whimsy of the previous potters is dead , replaced by an encroaching loss of innocence and a foreboding sense of darkness . a new punch of life for the series .", "two and a half hours of neck-cramping semi-entertainment .", "... there is very little about this bloated package that delivered anything of great impact , particularly its story-line ...", "a menagerie of menacing and morphing computer-generated special effects make the movie worthwhile .", "rather than a brand new sense of adventure , there 's a sense in this sequel of a rerun , a tendency that even harry 's extreme magic ca n't seem to overcome .", "regardless of its cinematic shortcomings , the harry potter film series still has a ton of life in it .", "ultimately the success of the film lies in the characters , and the emotions that they trigger in us .", "what we 're treated to is less a story than a series of vignettes .", "compared to its predecessors , this is a more wintry , thoughtful and rewarding movie .", "-lsb- director -rsb- cuar\u00f3n 's imagery delights again and again", "cuar\u00f3n has produced the most terrifying and darkly humorous movie adaptation of rowling 's stories to date , giving it a visual flair sorely missing in the previous installments ." ], "summary": "under the assured direction of alfonso cuaron , MOV triumphantly strikes a delicate balance between technical wizardry and complex storytelling .", "id": "10014" }, { "movie": "best_of_youth", "reviews": [ "the MOV more than earns its running time .", "its storytelling style is as close to the novel form as you 'll find on film , both a strengh and a weakness .", "i dropped outside of time and was carried along by the narrative flow ; when the film was over , i had no particular desire to leave the theater , and would happily have stayed another three hours .", "despite many charming elements , this movie is not an example of good storytelling .", "for six hours that seemed more like two , i was wrapped up in a human drama that was also a historical drama and a genuine wonder of filmmaking .", "it avoids the pratfalls of easy melodrama by maintaining a psychological distance from its characters ; there are never any obvious explanations for their choices or behaviors .", "an all-encompassing , life-affirming cinematic experience that resembles no other .", "those who see it will , quite frankly , not believe their luck . it is that satisfying , that engrossing , that good .", "here 's the way you want see the film -- the first two hours in your 20s , the middle two hours in your 40s , and the last two hours in your 60s .", "when the movie concludes , you can talk about these characters as if you actually know them -- which wo n't be far from the truth .", "unfolds like a novel full of characters we ca n't help but care about .", "it maintains a defiant optimism that the actions of individuals matter .", "by the end , we know these characters so well that just seeing any two of them meet draws tears", "a family that seems as real as your own relatives .", "its point is this : that every nation , like a family , is made up of many people who are often at odds with one another , but that ultimately , we are all one .", "MOV has the textures and depth of characterization of a great novel .", "few films have ever made better use of combining social and political history with romantic melodrama and suspense .", "there are some beautifully modulated performances from a vast cast of compelling characters .", "among the least cynical and most humanistic features of recent times .", "extraordinarily ambitious and effacingly accomplished , this is both an affecting domestic drama and a provocative political epic that is never anything less than intimate , intelligent and involving .", "it 's a vast , sweeping epic that thrillingly sets its characters ' lives against a wider backdrop of profound political , historical , and cultural change .", "an incredible experience .", "as a movie-going experience la meglio gioventu leaves much to be desired . if you are interested , buy the dvd instead .", "an impassioned epic that sweeps up its characters in nearly 40 years of human drama and social history , intertwining the two with a master seamstress ' delicacy .", "by the end of this haunting , hypnotic film , you feel you have watched lives being lived , not just imagined .", "this six-hour italian drama spans nearly 40 years in the life of one family , and in doing so , channels half a century in the life of a nation .", "the story this six-hour film from italy tells is full of nuance and complexity , but it is also as accessible and engrossing as a grand 19th-century novel .", "this epic elegy to family and country is a towering work of narrative fiction .", "a story that 's less like fiction and more like the way that families -lrb- and countries -rrb- actually age .", "a touchstone of italian cinema", "works in the engrossing fashion of a good pulpy novel ... using whiskery melodramatic staples to digress into a whole slew of differing scenarios and moods .", "the MOV is no masterpiece , but it has enough truthful , moving moments to make it worthwhile .", "an astonishing , deeply engrossing italian family saga that happens to be six hours long .", "you weep , laugh , celebrate and mourn with the characters throughout the six hours , which at once seem like an eternity and an instant .", "revealing too much of the narrative would spoil the pleasure of learning where matteo and nicola find themselves . `` youth '' sells us on the idea that life is a gift and that beauty and rejuvenation can come from even seemingly unbearable lows .", "a major cinema event of the year , a masterpiece of italian film traditions in social/political realism and historical family epic .", "if you have better eyesight and a stronger lower lumbar than i do , you might confront the challenge of reading six hours and six minutes of subtitles with more enthusiasm than i did . but it 's still six hours and six minutes out of your life .", "traces the quiet failures and proud struggles of everyday lives caught up like driftwood in the currents of history ... conjures up an exultant , slice-of-life authenticity .", "with the six-hour running time , giordana gets the space to let the characters live and let their shared story unfold like a good novel .", "the MOV runs , though never dawdles , for an easy six hours , with barely a false note .", "by the end of the film , it 's as if i know these people , and i want to sit with them again for a few hours . or six .", "a slowly flowering miracle : an epic of normal life .", "a brilliantly orchestrated ode to the heart and soul of modern-day italy .", "in the end , you 'll be savouring an emotion not often engendered by film : tranquillity , a calm acceptance , tinged with joy and flecked with sadness , of life 's up-and-down journey .", "giordana 's redemptive vision provides a sense of discovery and a well of hope in the most devastating of troubles , and beautiful surprises in love , friendship and family .", "a brilliant , sprawling piece of cinematic art , and perhaps the best film of the year .", "this film is either a profound investigation of recent italian history and a loving look at the national psyche -- warts , poetry and all -- or else it 's a really superb soap opera .", "a beautiful , sprawling , wonderful story .", "so in-depth , so appealing , so easy to sit through and so anomalously grand scale that few who see it will ever forget it .", "all the pieces converge in a powerful rush during the second half .", "this is the sort of movie you 'll recommend to friends and they 'll go , ` six hours ! are you nuts ? ' and then call you up and thank you in the middle of the night .", "not to be missed by anyone who cares about the joys , sorrows , and challenges of living in the modern world .", "the result is that valued rarity , an intimate epic .", "a graceful and enveloping feat of filmmaking .", "after all the observations on heartache , politics , art , commerce , passion , identity , mortality , even mental health , six hours begin to seem downright compact .", "rarely have six hours spent doing anything seemed so rewarding .", "it 's a human-scale saga you 'll remember .", "the movie has the addictive episodic intimacy of great tv .", "got a spare six hours ? well , it would be a shame if you did n't , because this sweeping italian drama is worth every minute .", "it is , in short , the best of cinema .", "its themes are for everybody , though this wonderful drama must surely hold a special relevance for the graying boomers who went through those wild years ." ], "summary": "earns its 6 hours running time by telling an engrossing story with compelling characters .", "id": "277029659" }, { "movie": "1142872-sky_high", "reviews": [ "the flick is best in its bittier moments -lrb- watch for the stellar cameos -rrb- , and there 's nothing to trouble the tots .", "a derivative and unappealing comedy about superheroes and their sidekicks in training .", "takes the tried-and-true route of bullies , pg-rated house parties , nerd-dunking , `` that 's my boy '' winking , and vapid teen romance .", "silly and sweet , MOV is a delightfully over-the-top kids ' movie that is a good antidote for the typically pretentious super hero picture .", "a clich\u00e9-dependent disney cheapy that aims no higher than the unsophisticated standards of its pre-adolescent target audience -- and somehow succeeds in spite of itself .", "MOV is funny , smart , energetic , subversive , and has a few substantive things to say .", "any time you can get the strong chins of bruce campbell and kurt russell in a movie together you should .", "while there 's little substance in front of the camera , there 's somehow less behind it .", "a likable mix of laughs and wacky action sequences .", "an engaging and surprisingly sharp allegory about high-school hierarchies and adolescent growing pains .", "a good-natured and witty mix of two modern film genres , MOV is classic disney filmmaking -- fanciful , family-friendly and , most importantly , fun .", "to be honest , the whole thing looks a bit like an episode of television 's power rangers .", "less discriminating , younger viewers may find MOV amusing , but actual high school students are way beyond this kid stuff .", "cheesy as it is , the family comedy MOV does n't even approximate the texture of kraft plastic-wrapped singles .", "this is , indeed , another teen flick , a spotty , stodgily directed , though occasionally clever one , with several cardboard performances .", "the climax , which involves the homecoming dance and a death ray , is frenzied in its effort to entertain , yet ultimately underwhelming , much like the movie as a whole .", "yes , the idea sounds derivative -- ` the incredibles go to hogwarts ' -- but -lsb- the -rsb- script spins that idea into interesting configurations .", "high school sucks , especially when the bullies can toss you from wall to wall or throw fireballs .", "a clever , cotton-candy - light self-parody to the superhero genre that 's both effective and refreshing .", "takes camp to new levels of self-aware mediocrity .", "MOV is a blast-off into good fun for the kids .", "with a crisp and snappy visual style and its smartly paced story , MOV pulls an incredible feat in an age of dumbed-down kids comedies ; it 's as down-to-earth as it is super .", "funny , clever and even a bit inspirational , hinting at the potential for heroism in all of us .", "the formula fizzles when you skimp on the ingredients . MOV never achieves liftoff .", "MOV may set a record for ripping off more movies in just over an hour and a half than any other film in history .", "flying high on fun . superhero teenage movie hilarious .", "smartly written and sprightly played , MOV satisfies with a clever commingling of spoofy superheroics , school-daze hijinks , and family friendly coming-of-age dramedy .", "a didactic disney kiddie comedy that filters run-of-the-mill high school through comic-book superhero conventions .", "harmless family comedy with welcomely loopy asides .", "bright colors contrast the usual superhero dark mode . that 's a plus . but a script-by-committee turns MOV into a john hughes high school clone .", "merely child 's play .", "it 's definitely for the kids , but there 's enough in it to make it a watchable diversion for the rest of us .", "because MOV opens with a fantastically entertaining half hour , it 's hard not to be disappointed when the film morphs into a routine high school drama ...", "... an unexpected treat , crossing the superhero saga with the teenage ` coming of age ' comedy . it 's a clever and often surprising mix that works .", "the film makes up for the paper thin clich\u00e9d story-line by having fun with superhero mythology .", "` MOV ' includes enough funny scenes and colorful characters to hold the interest of adults and youngsters alike .", "we 've already had `` the incredibles , '' `` harry potter '' and a half a dozen other films in similar veins over the past couple of years . we do n't need this .", "it 's inoffensive and sports a positive ` be yourself ' message that 's obvious enough to be seen from space without benefit of hero-vision , but really , there 's very little that 's super about it .", "MOV is not quite what it could have been , but its positive attributes manage to overcome the villainous forces of boredom and lameness .", "it is subversive enough for kids to enjoy and mild enough that parents wo n't feel threatened .", "any film about superheroes should be redundant but this movie offers a fresh , new take", "exaggeration works for MOV .", "quaint , but funny , a clever and well-acted story plugged into a worn formula .", "... un film de disney avec juste un tout petit peu plus de mordant qu ' \u0155 l'habitude .", "-lsb- a -rsb- pure , sweet pleasure ... it 's fun . and given its baldly hybrid premise , that 's pretty super in itself .", "unfortunately , there 's too much deadweight in this listless , unfunny dreck - and it starts with the lead .", "it 's the sort of kid 's fare that parents love to get : genuinely smart , genuinely funny , genuinely fun all around .", "a pleasant enough collection of derivative predictability that 's not without some minor charm of its own .", "there 's nothing groundbreaking here , yet the film is light and fun , and there 's a positive message for kids .", "mike mitchell directs scenes in big , bright comic-strip panels : colorful and exaggerated , with everything spelled out in veritable word balloons .", "a dull , kid-friendly regurgitation of readily available -lrb- and superior -rrb- iconographic comics", "although it aims for spy kids and the incredibles territory , this family entertainment is strictly for those too young to attend the titular institution .", "a lively and lightweight adventure that finds the elusive middle ground between comedy and comic-book heroics that the makers of ` fantastic four ' never did .", "this zippy disney adventure-comedy asks that age-old question , ` is there life after high school ? , ' and answers it with a cheerful ` not really . '", "director mike mitchell deftly blends two genres -- the high school romance and the special-effects-laden superhero comic book adaptation -- and manages to spoof yet salute both with a refreshing lack of pretension .", "MOV is too hopelessly contrived for its actors to be able to make it work .", "an amiable and satisfying romp that will put a smile on the face of viewers young and old .", "it cleverly puts the perils of adolescence on the same level with fights against monsters and giant robots and bad guys who want to take over the world .", "this movie about a high school for superheroes is so good-natured and self-deprecating that it 's virtually impossible to dislike the thing .", "witty , wacky and played with conviction ... MOV soars with a vigor missing from 95 % of movies released so far this year .", "my 12-year-old self would have liked this movie a lot . the 25-year-old me likes it a bit more than he cares to admit .", "stan lee might not approve , but the script , by newcomer paul hernandez and kim possible creators mark mccorkle and bob schooley , gets off some good lines", "a winning combination of teen melodrama , quirky characters and superhero fantasy , almost tailor made for a long run as a saturday morning tv show on the disney channel .", "a very bright , amiable , warmhearted disney family film that is hard not to like .", "finally , a summer family film that can -lrb- and did -rrb- hold the attention of my 5-year-old nephew without getting me in trouble with his parents .", "bright and eager to please , it reworks themes and situations from teen films of a generation ago in a manner that makes a surprising amount of sense today .", "in MOV normalcy gets equated with privilege : this is teenage angst and competition as the kids of bigwig hollywood players must have experienced it .", "i anticipated going to this movie with a dread that was nearly `` MOV . '' but what a pleasant surprise !", "hogwarts for superheroes - the best family film of the year . miss it at your peril ; you never know how many super-villains are living on your street .", "the film struggles constantly just to maintain mediocrity .", "it 's harry potter meets the incredibles minus the memorable characters , hearty laughs , great writing and all around movie goodness .", "disney 's kid flick about a superhero high school is n't groundbreaking , but it is great family fun with a strong cast and a nice sense of entertainment .", "the humor is not necessarily subversive , but it is often subtle and cleverly conceived , which is a super feat indeed .", "a family-friendly and legitimately enjoyable disney flick .", "i had a ball with MOV , and i suspect that lots of stunned moviegoers are going to walk out of the flick feeling the exact same way .", "director mike mitchell and his writing team have a lot of fun tweaking the conventions of the contemporary teen movie .", "the incredibles it ai n't , but MOV will do nicely .", "... a potentially puerile disney movie turned into something we all can enjoy .", "a not-so-subtle metaphor about popularity and puberty .", "there are enough characters in the clean cut satire ` MOV ' to spin-off a dozen saturday morning tv series .", "this inventive superhero movie hybrid -lrb- the incredibles meet the x-men via harry potter -rrb- is one of the most entertaining family films of the summer .", "... a movie based on a high school for super-powered teens may not have seemed like the savviest idea . fortunately , MOV is n't bad . in fact , it 's surprisingly good .", "the film adds a superior level of irreverence that reminds me of films like galaxy quest .", "the script crackles with funny , quotable dialogue and the plot has a lot of fun with the usual teen movie staples .", "MOV pokes gentle fun at growing up , entering a new school , joining cliques , adjusting to friends and parents , dealing with peer pressure , and learning who you are .", "while originality is hardly the film 's strongest suit , its agreeable mix of knowing spoof and kid-pleasing fantasy makes it considerably more engaging than some of the ` straight ' superhero blockbusters we 've suffered recently .", "even though MOV is aimed at kids , everyone else should see it .", "... as far as bringing a superhero angle to the real world , the spider-man franchise has done a more convincing job than this sitcom approach .", "i never thought i 'd say it , but i ca n't wait until this is turned into a tv series ...", "carefully pitched to be watchable by the breakfast club generation and their young kids .", "MOV is adolescent , in the best , age-appropriate sense of the word ; it 's like a john hughes movie , but for tweens .", "just kind of a mildly entertaining footnote .", "i 'm a sucker for comic book movies , and `` MOV '' won me over ...", "it might be aimed at teens , but MOV is fun for parents , too .", "here , teen empowerment takes on a very literal form , even if events never stray far from the world as envisaged in a john hughes movie .", "cartoony high school superhero drama ; ok for tweens .", "MOV is the latest disney teen comedy about the pitfalls of adolescent life , but is much , much better than it seems like it should be in large part due to its strong cast and assured direction .", "... achieves a miraculous level of kitchy zip thanks to its creative casting of kurt russell , lynda carter , and bruce campbell .", "surprisingly clever , spirited and joyful", "confident and strong , directed with enough of an edge to be interesting , written with heart and a genuine wit .", "a brightly entertaining teenage comedy as frothy and predictable as cotton candy , but also just as sweet .", "the creators of MOV have their finger expertly placed on their movie 's pulse .", "the clever script finds the fun while michael angarano keeps the emotions real as a kid who learns that real friends do n't care if you 're a star .", "MOV does n't make any big statements . in fact , modesty is a big part of its appeal - even its cheesy special effects add to the warm , homey quality it strives for and achieves .", "worried it might be redundant given incredibles ? worry not . MOV stands mightily on its own , albeit employing a standard formula . i had a great time .", "MOV is a diverting family comedy that at its best aims to be a live-action incredibles and at its middling a live-action episode of kim possible .", "by today 's whiz-bang standards , may seem a tad tame and old-fashioned , but it 's a harmless trifle whose easy-going , undemanding tone should appeal to younger viewers .", "... avoids originality as if it were an infectious disease .", "a lighthearted , albeit sanitized , teen movie that marries 1960s kitsch to 1980s angst with sharp one-liners , sight gags and a lunatic-fringe supporting cast of comedians .", "high schoolers -lrb- who are shown chugging only soda pop at a supposedly rowdy party -rrb- will rule this movie lame , though early grade-schoolers might bite .", "MOV has n't a single original idea in its bird brain .", "the movie offers good-spirited fun with a family tilt .", "surprisingly fresh and entertaining .", "if you thought hogwarts was the only secret school for extraordinary kids , welcome to the amusing , yet cheesy MOV .", "there 's nary an original bone in its cinematic body ... and it is movie-licious nevertheless : very clever and visually hilarious , it 's a simple , charming delight .", "squeaky clean , but not to a nauseating degree , MOV is engaging enough for the whole family to enjoy .", "this is essentially an innocuous disney gimmick movie , not entirely juvenile but still completely dependent on formula .", "dissatisfying to an adult audience accustomed to more sophisticated parody ... will resonate with young viewers on their way to high school .", "MOV soars" ], "summary": "this highly derivative superhero coming-of-age flick is moderately entertaining , family-friendly fluff .", "id": "2127" }, { "movie": "santa_clause_3", "reviews": [ "magical -lrb- if mindless -rrb- family holiday fun .", "you look at a movie like this and wonder how some screenwriters can have the temerity to go on strike", "special effects are in abundance , but none of them are very well-produced , much like the film on the whole .", "it 's sad to see the life sucked out of a series that started so well .", "short 's skill and total commitment to his role make him no straw-dog villain , and his chemistry with allen helps the movie 's santa feel like a real live person and not an imperturbable icon .", "frost turns the occasion into a swag-saturated consumer orgy , which the film condemns even as it hams up product placement for red bull .", "while it may concern elves and christmas , ` the MOV : the escape clause ' is more dreary than cheery .", "there is no escaping the banality of it all .", "a little muddled and derivative but what do we expect , really ?", "christmas cheer is in short supply in the MOV : the escape clause , a feeble festive farce that 's more no-no-no than ho-ho-ho .", "the third though probably not the last in the successful clause franchise , this latest installment again stars tim allen as the everyman turned father christmas .", "what is seriously missing here is any sense of fun and warmth , which the other movies did possess . this one looks like work .", "so bad , it makes me want to convert and celebrate hanukah this year .", "an ugly , dispiriting , prefabricated lump of coal . with any luck , the MOV will be but a distant memory by the time december 25 arrives .", "has some cool glimmers of what the series did best , showing a real guy reacting to the mythology of santa claus . unfortunately , more than 2/3 of the film is made up of silly , cartoonish antics that are more embarrassing to watch than they seemed to perfor", "the pogo vibe of the first two films is missing from the new picture , but what it lacks in bellylaughs in makes up for in reliable entertainment value - an increasingly lost art .", "it 's all as genuine as tinsel and as stale as last year 's candy cane , but there are a few very mild pleasures , including alan arkin and ann-margret as scott 's in-laws and a loony dance number with short backed by elves .", "you play santa claus once with enthusiasm , twice with affection , three times for a paycheck .", "there 's little in this unnecessary sequel to put you in a festive mood -- unless you just love bad canadian jokes , farting reindeer and manufactured ` magic . ' humbuggery !", "nuance surely is n't MOV : the escape clause 's name , but its performances are pleasing % u2014 martin in particular brings a smirky , self-centered glee to his role % u2014 and its story is n't condescending . it 's brisk and colorful , right on", "you 've got to hand it to director michael lembeck ... he 's succeeded in persuading studio bosses to let him make not one but two sequels from premises that were dead in the water from the word go .", "badly written , shockingly acted and appallingly directed threequel that will please precisely no-one .", "santa 's traditional cry of ho-ho-ho has never sounded more like three stab wounds of pain and horror .", "cinema is far too powerful a medium to be graded on a curve -- even when tim allen is involved .", "the movie is more cute than funny . smiles are plentiful , but outright laughs are widely scattered .", "oh how the executives shook with their chortles as millions poured in through each cinema 's portals .", "... there 's little doubt that the santa clause series has finally run out of steam .", "a desperately lazy and unoriginal exercise .", "the MOV strikes out .", "the scriptwriters have continued their inventive treatment of humanising santa , while keeping the fantasy intact . colourful and bright , funny and witty , it 's a magical fantasy that will please young and old", "it 's time to send this one-trick reindeer to the glue factory .", "fans of the first two films in the series can expect more of the same in this serviceable yet unduly bland g-rated comedy that 's all too reminiscent of those by-the-numbers sixties-era disney films that usually starred either fred macmurray or dean jones .", "bah , humbug .", "i liked the first two , but this franchise has expired .", "bah humbug ! the MOV is a lump of coal in your stocking . it 's at the top of the `` naughty '' list . it 's about as appealing as a stale fruitcake .", "shot almost entirely on a single set possibly left standing from the last film , it features what looks like first-take performances and a script that 's inane even by kiddie-movie standards .", "tim allen seems bored with his own franchise . at times , he looks downright morose , cranky enough to kick an elf .", "the movie 's as icy as jack 's hair , as lifeless as its animatronic , flatulent reindeer .", "allen and short seem to be having so much fun that their enthusiasm is entirely contagious . let the season begin .", "mrs. claus having a baby is creepy . at least we do n't see the birth , the sight of mrs. claus in stirrups would have been too much to bear .", "the characters are all two-dimensional , or maybe one , except martin short as jack frost .", "the MOV is holiday filler , stuffed with unearned emotion and trite sentimentality . the good news is it runs just over and hour and a half , which means parents wo n't have to glance nervously at their watches .", "this movie is either going to warm the coldest cockles of your heart , or you 're going to throw up all over yourself before slipping into a diabetic coma .", "if there is truly an escape clause in this movie , use it .", "it 's like a family channel movie escaped and hid out in a movie theater .", "although we 've barely had enough time to finish clearing the halloween cobwebs , those hardworking elves at walt disney are already here to shove a little christmas down our throats .", "allen looks silly , tired and bored this time in the fat suit and beard , while the movie presents the irritating martin short as jack frost , nipping at your nerves as santa 's nemesis in a bid to take over and -lrb- gasp ! -rrb- commercialize christmas .", "kids , you can tell how much your parents love you by how far away they keep you from this worthless fiasco .", "the gag reel that plays over the end credits is funnier than this slushy comedy .", "i always say if there 's anything the santa claus legend needs , it 's a time travel component .", "jack frost gains control of santa 's workshop and turns it into a las vegas-style theme park -- supposedly a hideous inversion of christmas values . so blandly commercialized is the movie 's vision of the holiday that you can hardly tell the difference .", "it 's very , very difficult to care , because the movie is structured so poorly .", "perfect entertainment for five-year olds and sheer torture for the unlucky parent -lrb- s -rrb- accompanying them to the theater .", "the santa clause films may speak to the need for family connections , but this third movie represents another part of the season : the need to move product .", "ok , so MOV is n't the stuff classic christmas movies are made of , but the franchise still manages to invoke some genuine yuletide spirit . hard to believe , but it 's true .", "kids in elf drag , not very funny comedy on scrupulously antiseptic sets , and that faint wave of nausea that passes for a tug at the heartstrings in corporate filmmaking .", "this styrofoam snowman of a sequel overdoses on its own candy-cane-colored sugary cheer .", "as a full-service holiday movie , the MOV : the escape clause gets you into the mood to shop early and often by making the north pole look like a shopping mall with a never-ending school pageant .", "despite martin short 's highly entertaining turn as jack frost , this second sequel lacks the charm of the first two ` santa clause ' movies .", "a gaudy but bland lump of coal in this year 's cinematic holiday stocking .", "rather than cheer your favorite winter character , you 'll more likely search for an escape clause of your own , as this overstuffed three-quel milks the reindeer dry one last time .", "MOV : the escape clause , with martin short as jack frost , means we 're getting a turkey and a ham for the holidays .", "a thing of consummate craftsmanship , a smoothly engineered and fundamentally lifeless object that 's nevertheless capable of giving even the grinchiest moviegoers a brief attack of the warm-and-fuzzies ." ], "summary": "playing jack frost as an evil cross between liza minnelli and liberace , martin short is a welcome presence , but this tired series continues drawing from its bag of bland gags and dumb slapstick .", "id": "353654309" }, { "movie": "to_be_and_to_have", "reviews": [ "MOV works in the grandest tradition of documentary filmmaking -- it keeps company with a small , specific place going about its business , and from it parses the whole world .", "this heart-wrenching documentary about a french village schoolteacher at work offers the comedy and pathos of great drama and the visual magnificence of painting .", "contains some of the most stirring footage i have ever seen on the act and art of teaching children .", "one of those unassuming films that sneaks up on you and stays with you long after you have left the theatre .", "at once a testament to the divine calling of education and a demonstration of the painstaking process of imparting knowledge .", "in a way , the film feels like a breath of fresh air , but only to those that allow it in .", "deep , honest and unforced .", "amounts to a rare gift and an opportunity to appreciate the end of an era .", "inspiring and beautiful .", "philibert and his crew remain invisible throughout most of the this film 's running time letting a way of life that is surely short-lived speak for itself .", "the fly-on-the-wall method used to document rural french school life is a refreshing departure from the now more prevalent technique of the docu-makers being a visible part of their work .", "the director 's patient approach pays real dividends , in the way he observes the kids ... at work and at play in such a beneficial environment .", "it 's not as if we really need another reminder about the importance of education . but it 's still nice to see something like MOV , which manages to impart that message with subtlety and more than a little poignancy .", "you wish it would have been a little more ambitious .", "beautiful documentary .", "a fascinating and necessary movie , a document that preserves a pure form of teaching before it slowly fades away .", "it 's a perfect show of respect to just one of those underrated professionals who deserve but rarely receive it .", "an unhurried model of nonfiction filmmaking and a vision of life at its most persuasively humanistic .", "the american school system would do well to take a page from mr. lopez 's slow-but-steady curriculum .", "it is n't just an ode to teaching -- it 's a lesson in growing up .", "this is a film that all aspiring teachers should see , as well as veteran teachers who might have lost track of what teaching is all about .", "as touching as goodbye , mr. chips -lrb- 1939 -rrb- , this is an excellent companion to spellbound , another beguiling documentary about children .", "it demonstrates without overreaching what an actual teacher can do to shape lives .", "one of those rare movies that works as a humbling experience .", "the beauty of MOV is that lopez 's loss is n't the audience 's . this movie is a portal , leading to a living museum of childhood .", "the most unvarnished cinematic portrait of childhood i 've ever seen .", "the magical dynamic we witness , of recitations and math problems and disciplinary chats and vocabulary drills , all of it performed with exacting sympathy and focus , is genuine to the touch .", "the small triumphs and frustrations these children experience are more affecting than a thousand life-and-death battles between adults .", "auditing a class has never been more fun .", "more often than not you may find yourself unexpectedly smiling .", "one of the year 's most engaging films .", "fails to do justice to its potentially fascinating subject .", "simple but deeply touching .", "warning : as you note the incredible rapport this teacher has in a one-room schoolhouse , you may well become enraged at the way our cities are cramming thousands of kids into each of our education factories .", "a deceptively simple french film about teaching that keeps enlarging as you watch it , becoming beautiful and inspiring in a way most films never touch .", "MOV feels like a deep , sweet pull of spring water .", "exhibiting the same sort of patience as his sensible hero , philibert has created an extraordinarily humane portrait of a partnership between one adult and his very fortunate charges .", "nicolas philibert observes life inside a one-room schoolhouse in northern france in his documentary MOV , easily one of the best films of the year .", "a film that is a portrait of grace in an imperfect world .", "so superb , so graceful , so strong -- another beauty in this year of good documentaries -- that i do believe it will influence career choices , sending inspired viewers to study pedagogy , or cinematography .", "a testament to the scary responsibility of primary education , and a powerful tribute to the nobility and unselfishness -- and vital importance -- of the teaching profession .", "watchful viewers -- particularly those with fond memories of a favorite teacher -- will be deeply moved by this film .", "as quiet , patient and tenacious as mr. lopez himself , who approaches his difficult , endless work with remarkable serenity and discipline .", "a wonderful french documentary about a diligent teacher in a one-room classroom who revels in those magical moments when learning yields insight and delight .", "the film is as tiny as an altoid and as curiously strong .", "one of the most compelling documentaries of the year .", "a counterintuitive film about a small schoolhouse in rural france , MOV gets its punch from simple scenes and conversations .", "MOV is a movie every teacher should see , and every parent , too .", "at times , it feels as stultifying as watching paint dry , without the recompense of sniffing fumes .", "-lrb- lopez 's -rrb- teaching is simply one of the purest expressions of love i 've ever seen on film .", "philibert unobtrusively captures the priceless looks of concentration and confusion that come from a total unawareness of the camera 's presence .", "sweet , ultimately poignant portrait of a year in the life of a one-room school in auvergne ... an evocative , observant portrait .", "reveals ... the teacher 's - and the director 's - love for the children and an aching nostalgia for a way of life that 's on its way out ...", "in its discussion of the natural , essential roles of learning and teaching in life , \u0119tre et avoir is an elegantly shot , eloquently stated , first-class report ." ], "summary": "a small , sensitive , and moving portrait of a teacher and his students .", "id": "18562" }, { "movie": "from_russia_with_love", "reviews": [ "much of it borders on the inept and the embarrassing , and that goes for the title song sung by matt monro , the `` singing bus-driver '' .", "one of the finest bond outings , this flourished in the paranoia of the times before the franchise was devalued by an over-reliance on gadgets , camp quips and a skittish lack of focus or direction .", "creative cold war bond thriller is best for teens and up .", "it 's not too different from the non-bond action thrillers of the same era , in which company it falls well short of the top film , north by northwest . plenty of period charm , though , and a few of the bond franchise 's most austin powers-esque moments .", "it has more in common spiritually with le carre than fleming . only after james bond 's vulnerabilities have been further exploited than in `` dr. no '' does he succeed . `` russia '' is about as far as it gets from the biggest bond , but it 's easily the best .", "one of just a couple bond adventures that is genuinely great as cinema .", "everything that worked in dr. no is fully realized here . sean connery is 10 times more confident here as 007 , oozing charm and masculinity .", "the second bond is one of the best in the series , due to the intriguing plot , sinister villains , and fabulously staged fight aboard the orient express .", "the film lacks the exotic , colourful flamboyance of the best of its successors . so shoot me .", "the stylish second bond film MOV now looks as if it was shot yesterday .", "with a tight , witty script and unforgettable baddies , this is one of the very best entries in the series , stylishly cementing the formula -- for good or ill .", "for my money , still the best bond , with a screwball plotline that keeps the locales changing and the surprises coming .", "standing at the pinnacle of the series , MOV shows how good a bond film can be when all the ingredients mesh .", "... more outright suspense and excitement than any of the newer concoctions .", "the narrative is plodding , time has not been kind to set-pieces that were once so thrilling and now seem oddly perfunctory , and 007 's misogyny and casual slapping of several women is more than faintly repellent .", "honestly , nobody does it better . .", "this is probably the best bond film made .", "sean connery 's second outing as james bond became his personal favorite , and that of many bond fans around the world . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "... a pivotal entry within the series ...", "sophisticated ? well , not really . but fast , smart , shrewdly directed and capably performed .", "MOV is a preposterous , skillful slab of hardhitting , sexy hokum .", "frwl has character and dash , and even something of a conventional plot , all worth revisiting for this pin-sharp restoration .", "bond 's still finding his legs in this adequate entry , not quite lost in the shadow of the subsequent goldfinger .", "one of the shiniest examples of bonds from golden connery era .", "it 's one of the franchise 's highlights , and if the dated action can be forgiven , a cracking cold war story .", "any bond film starring connery remains a delight to watch .", "a thrilling espionage adventure chock full of iconic characters , set pieces and one-liners .", "as a non-fan of the ian fleming super spy and a moderate admirer of such films as moonraker , i find that the essential point of enjoyment to be the films ' very flaws : the admiration of their kitsch factor .", "a fantastic spy thriller , connery is bond", "one of the best of the bond films .", "a james bond movie with the sensibilities of a classic cold war thriller", "ce deuxi\u010dme opus continue d'exploiter avec un plaisir coupable les possibilit\u00e9s infinies de cet univers cin\u00e9matographique fonctionnant uniquement \u0155 la testost\u00e9rone", "only `` goldfinger '' was a better bond for connery .", "007 is very much with us again , and anyone who has n't yet got to know him is urged to do so right away !", "3.5", "this film began the fine tradition of deviating from ian fleming 's novels , which gave us the suave , sophisticated bond over fleming 's monosyllabic misogynist .", "connery 's best bond . never again would he be this assured . this is closer to a classic spy thriller than any other bond .", "classic bond . more plot heavy , but still has a great gypsy fight , train fight and helicoptor boat chase . rosa klebb is a classic .", "the best bond ever . period !" ], "summary": "the second james bond film , MOV is a razor-sharp , briskly-paced cold war thriller that features several electrifying action scenes .", "id": "10737" }, { "movie": "don_jon", "reviews": [ "the fact that one can think of a movie about a guy hooked on porn as charming is high praise .", "the screenplay is generally predictable in its story of redemption , and it does n't have an ounce of subtlety .", "it 's difficult to rate a movie that does n't really start until its last half hour .", "an impressive debut as writer/director/star .", "MOV has attitude , conveyed as much through the solid performances as it is through the director 's unflinching approach to some complicated subjects .", "i find it a film that 's much easier to admire than actually like .", "joseph gordon-levitt has teetered on being the next big thing . he 's finally there with ` MOV , ' a grownups-only movie about addiction and compulsion in which he stars . he also wrote and directed this movie about a man 's obsession with pornography .", "this is a very funny , well-written film . unlike most romantic comedies , it is both thought-provoking and introspective .", "very funny and with some social commentary , `` MOV '' is an admirable first effort for gordon-levitt behind the camera .", "if MOV does not offer a lasting d\u00e9tente in the war of the genders , it does smartly delineate the gap between men 's and women 's respective fantasy lives .", "joseph gordon-levitt has turned out to be quite a good director . he has a very powerful style of editing and incorporating sound and music cues , with a light touch that 's so important in communicating with an audience .", "a bold choice", "MOV 's addiction is a fun , occasionally flabby romp that should find its audience .", "often light on its feet , bolstered by the reliable charms and writing chops of its leading man .", "much like its main character , this comedy is good-hearted , a bit clumsy , endearing , and incredibly rough around the edges .", "... propulsive and thoroughly watchable ...", "a truly original character piece , hilariously funny and poignant , with enough humor and heart that more people will be able to relate to the characters than they 'll care to admit .", "it 's an admirable effort and a lot of fun . i only wish it were n't trying quite so hard , or that by trying so hard it does n't still manage to undermine its own lesson .", "gutsy , sexy , and hilarious . MOV 's addiction bulks up the body and career of joseph gordon-levitt .", "an assured directorial debut as we 've seen in recent years , gordon-levitt 's comedy is vibrant and poignant and moves like a shark with nary a dull second .", "offbeat , frank and often surprising gem .", "joseph gordon-levitt and scarlett johansson give smashing performances .", "filled with frank conversation and gutter language , mysogynistic with misandry thrown in , it 's probably not possible to make a tasteful movie about a subject as distasteful as masturbation , but this movie does n't even try .", "it 's julianne moore 's character who most allows MOV to upgrade from being a humorous and perceptive movie about naughty internet connections into a heartfelt and perceptive movie about necessary human connections .", "joseph gordon-levitt has firmly cemented his place among hollywood 's elite .", "if you can handle the porn , go see this movie , if for nothing else than to experience how very talented joseph gordon-levitt truly is .", "gordon-levitt has delivered a lively , timely , and decidedly adult look at love and sex that is both uncommonly mature for a first-time director and very fresh .", "a romantic comedy with edge . joseph gordon levitt makes an impressive writing and directing debut . scarlett johansson is terrific .", "technology has enabled this don to do what the original don juan may have ultimately wanted : to be pleasured alone , giving nothing of himself .", "it 's a strong picture with substantial sexual imagery -lrb- earning its r-rating -rrb- , but also an effort that miraculously finds the core of the lead character .", "the movie takes a roundhouse punch at male shallowness , but jon , in and out of his clothes , is not an interesting enough man to be emblematic of anything .", "the movie is a broad ethnic comedy , but there 's nothing broad about the wicked-smart way it 's executed . even long-played-out stereotypes take on new life .", "not just good for a film directed by an actor or a first-timer - it 's a solid , entertaining film . period .", "the year 's best comedy to date focuses on a lothario who is able to rise to many occasions .", "any revulsion the viewer might feel toward jon 's solitary cyber-sex is counteracted by the sheer charm gordon-levitt exudes as MOV , and by the light touch he brings to his beautifully paced script .", "the dialogue 's frank and much of what we see is explicit enough to make this a film exclusively for grown-ups . luckily , the emotional places gordon-levitt takes his characters are pretty grown-up , too .", "the self-assured helmer shows genuine affection for his characters , balancing their openly satiric qualities with a disarmingly sincere human center .", "crude , repetitive and rigorously single-minded , the popular actor 's writing and directing debut lays it all on a bit thick , as the few points the film has to make are underscored time and time again .", "despite its promising risqu\u00e9 premise , `` MOV '' is a relatively conservative paean to monogamous relationships .", "for his first time behind the camera , gordon-levitt is already showing signs of great promise . it 's a stereotype that actors-turned-filmmakers focus solely on performances , and while MOV is certainly a well-acted movie , it 's also a good-looking one .", "joseph gordon-levitt 's directorial debut , MOV , does for porn-dependence what shame did for sex addiction by offering a surface-level look at the effects of its specific pathology on its lead male character .", "it 's amusing but not especially insightful .", "-lsb- gordon-levitt 's -rsb- skills as an actor , and those of co-stars scarlett johansson and julianne moore , keep us watching , even as public-place modesty makes us want to look away .", "one of the most adventurous actors of his generation , gordon-levitt has a good sense of just how graphically he can depict jon 's addiction and maintain the sympathy of both men and women .", "every detail of this modest film is well thought out and executed , from the spot-on casting to the canny use of sound and music ...", "a sharply funny and insightful examination of modern love .", "MOV is so friskily risque , with teases of what turns jon on and frank dialogue to match , that you do n't notice the movie is stuck in a rut until julianne moore shows up late , offering jon an older , wiser perspective on sex and relationships .", "when you look past MOV as gordon-levitt 's movie cotillion , it 's a painfully superficial and paint-by-numbers story that offers very little character development .", "a perceptive and often funny story with a refreshingly mature attitude about sex .", "gordon-levitt has crafted a whip-smart , richly cinematic film with some very funny moments and a lot of heart .", "MOV is like watching a far more well behaved jersey show . it takes the same beats presented on that awful reality show and polishes them for a more compelling and complex experience .", "-lsb- moore is -rsb- touching , johansson is wonderfully awful and gordon-levitt is electric , making it easy to forgive the movie its meannesses .", "funny , witty , honest and eventually heartfelt , without having to pander to saccharine fantasies or gross-out raunch humor that have become mainstays of rom-com cinema .", "MOV '' is obnoxiously funny , effortlessly identifiable , unusually tender , obscenely amusing , and an enjoyable r-rated comedy that is sure to captivate both sexes .", "from ` pillow talk ' to pornography in three generations ! sleazy yet seductive , joseph gordon-levitt cleverly distinguishes the different between lust and love .", "-lsb- gordon-levitt -rsb- can act , and there 's a possibility he can also direct , but there 's no evidence in MOV that he can do both at the same time .", "`` MOV '' is a lark , but an enjoyable one with a full-hearted finale , and it further reveals the considerable talents of gordon-levitt .", "for a first time feature filmmaker , this is a brave attempt to examine the clich\u00e9s of a modern romance .", "levitt somehow pulls off the oxymoron feat of a feminist chick flick porn comedy . and with no small credit for this hollywood upstart , owed to his parents from my own alternative radio network . thus his enlightened upbringing for this meaningful movie .", "not a great movie , but a filthy-funny , sweet and smart one with a third act punch that will take your breath away .", "even when his story starts getting serious , gordon-levitt always keeps it funny , and his cast is in on the joke .", "merely ends up trading one beefcake delusion for another .", "`` MOV '' is hardly as slick as its main character fancies himself , and that 's ok . after all , as gordon-levitt 's movie takes great pains to illustrate , what we constitute as perfection often proves to be a deceptive illusion .", "unconventional in the best ways , MOV is a charmingly smutty story about a man , his porn , and a much deeper struggle within .", "joseph gordon-levitt makes an auspicious filmmaking debut with this somewhat risky romantic comedy .", "never before has gordon-levitt disappeared into character as he does here .", "the biggest problem is jon . he 's unlikable from the start and never improves .", "gordon-levitt 's roots in culture go deep ; he chalked up his first tv credit at age seven , and he was already a seasoned performer when 3rd rock from the sun came along in 1996 . with MOV , he proves just as adept behind the camera .", "brave , bold and bone rattling , gordon-levitt 's MOV makes for a bumpy -- but undeniably satisfying -- cinematic ride to the dark side , and back .", "if `` MOV '' feels like a film that is spread too thin amongst multiple genres , it only goes to hint that gordon-levitt might be as talented behind the camera as he is in front .", "`` MOV '' proves that joseph gordon-levitt is one of the best and most versatile actors working today , and shows promise for a future behind the camera as well .", "this is the kind of american movie that comes along far too rarely . it 's funny and entertaining , but it remembers who we are as human beings , does not shy away from our many flaws , and finds something endearing in all of it .", "before it flies off the rails in the final act , joseph gordon-levitt 's first self-penned , self-directed star vehicle , MOV , is an uncommonly provocative spin on familiar rom-com tropes .", "the movie becomes increasingly soft-edged and sappy .", "MOV deals quite beautifully with the idea that real love can often be distinct from other phenomena that are commonly mistaken for love -- like the narcissistic desire to be loved .", "it 's somewhat hypocritical that the movie has it in for romcoms , but what are you gon na do ?", "this is a sweet , lively and funny movie rather than a fully realized one , but it makes clear that gordon-levitt has a natural feeling for cinema and should do more of it .", "MOV is visually interesting without being overbearing . the script finds a witty way to confront serious issues . and levitt-gordon takes on the personality of a guy straight out of jersey shore .", "it all still works , despite its obvious problems , in large part because of its likable lead . but gordon-levitt should probably find a different writer next time .", "sexy , insightful and maybe a little twee , MOV is about to hit its demographic like a toy commercial on saturday morning .", "gordon-levitt proves a natural filmmaker , nimbly staging jon 's highly amusing catholic confessions , along with porn montages that mimic the dopamine-charged editing of requiem for a dream .", "on page and screen , gordon-levitt mostly fails to transform his bulky title protagonist into a multi-dimensional figure . he belongs in the final 15 minutes of an snl episode , not at the center of a full-sized comedy .", "the sound of one hand clasping .", "the final moments hint at beauty and grace in jon 's new relationship , but for the movie , it 's already too late .", "in his writing-directing debut , actor joseph gordon-levitt fails to identify a purpose that might bring audiences into his passion project .", "the messages of the film are stark and genuine , much more so than one might expect having seen the promotional material .", "the strange spiritual journey of a young porno addict who shifts his perspective and is set on a different path .", "undoubtedly raunchy , but it 's also pretty funny -lsb- and -rsb- far more mature and insightful than the frat-boy gross-out farces that come down the pike every week or so .", "versatile actor joseph gordon-levitt turns to writing and directing with this smart , sexy , sweet , and hilarious comedy about the difficulties of forging and sustaining relationships .", "the result is a bit confused but shows a genuine talent at work .", "a sharp turn on the romantic comedy , a movie about flawed people doing flawed things , often in funny fashion .", "gordon-levitt is no slouch when it comes to taking risks as a filmmaker . i ca n't wait to see what he does next .", "it 's a dark comedy about matters of the heart , and how far some people go to take their minds off such matters .", "-lsb- although -rsb- gordon-levitt says a little bit about a lot of things , ... MOV is a continuously entertaining and fitfully provocative first-time effort .", "MOV -lsb- is -rsb- a bruisingly funny , bracingly smart comic dare that marks a stellar feature directing and writing debut for joseph gordon-levitt , who plays jon with humor , heat and sneaky heart .", "gordon-levitt demonstrates he is a filmmaker with promise who blends a good ear for dialogue with fine pacing and an eye for making a good-looking picture .", "the end is satisfaction enough to justify the initially explicit means .", "alas , i did n't buy a word of it .", "the entire movie seems to recalibrate and rebalance itself around -lsb- moore -rsb- , shifting convincingly into something more than a surface-heavy evocation of sterile on-screen onanism .", "a film that should be compulsory viewing for all preteens , sexual content be damned , as it may just save them a lifetime of disappointment .", "it 's refreshing to see a movie so visually undemonstrative .", "despite a contrived and sentimental ending , this is an entertaining riff on men and fantasy .", "this certainly wo n't find a mainstream audience but it is fresh , well executed and entertaining .", "there 's little here to care for or about : what promises to be a friskier version of shame winds up closer to a very special episode of jersey shore .", "with this writing-directing debut , joseph gordon-levitt delivers a remarkably assured comedy-drama while also giving himself a role that 's far against his usual type .", "starts mischievous and moves into maudlin .", "not exactly an original idea . but gordon-levitt goes at it with gusto , and style . give the guy some props .", "in the end , `` MOV '' offers the promise of progress without pat answers . it also offers the promise of the future work of an undeniably talented actor-turned-director .", "it gets harder and harder to support this passion for porn .", "a thoughtful , original and provocative feature-length directorial debut from joseph gordon-levitt .", "`` MOV '' deserves praise for wearing its message lightly and yet for daring to present such a lecture in today 's internet-drenched environment .", "gordon-levitt 's confidence is appealing , even if the film itself mistakes redundancy for profundity .", "gordon-levitt is on top form , as is johansson as the type of girl who only takes her gum out to eat .", "wondering what exactly is revealed as a cure to MOV 's addiction ? why , good sex , of course ! thanks , geniuses !", "thankfully , the women of the film are what save the movie , bringing something fresh to the table-for jon , a chance at lasting love , and for us , some seasoned comic chops .", "MOV is no kind of resonating masterpiece , but it 's intelligent , thoughtful , funny , and dedicated to the cause of finding a personality and sticking with him through the excess of his addictions .", "it 's in movies like the ribald but surprisingly endearing sex comedy MOV that gordon-levitt has connected best with audiences .", "writer-director-star joseph gordon-levitt is so savvy about the workings of our small minds that he knows just how to reel us in -lrb- sex -rrb- before schooling us on the important things in life -lrb- love -rrb- .", "gordon-levitt 's characters feel real and `` MOV '' is a convincing , authentic , funny , modern romance .", "hearing the star of `` who 's the boss ? '' drop about 500 f-bombs is one of the film 's few pleasures .", "joseph gordon-levitt 's debut as a writer-director-actor resembles a porn addict 's groundhog day , and not in a good way .", "although the film 's character portraits are vividly drawn , they remain largely one-dimensional .", "joseph gordon-levitt 's porn addiction topic may not be for everyone . however , it 's a great first movie from a terrific young actor and now writer and director .", "a ` saturday night fever ' for a new generation .", "-lsb- t -rsb- he movie has no clear idea who this man is .", "at least 80 % of it is snappy , droll fluff , while the other 20 % is what you get when you persuade julianne moore to be in your movie : in a word , better .", "one of the best of the year .", "MOV humanizes the jersey shore type by burying itself beneath the muscles and hair gel with a story about learning how to connect with another human being .", "smart , witty and more than a little melancholy , MOV is a fist-pumping success .", "though MOV succeeds in being funny at every turn , it is less successful in being a movie with something important to say .", "as a director , gordon-levitt demonstrates considerable technical flair through stylistic flourishes and coaxes great performances out of his co-stars .", "a lively , savvy film with some great performances from some surprising quarters .", "the naff accents and exaggerated mannerisms become very tiring over 90 minutes .", "the work of a young director reaching to impress without having fully formed ideas ...", "in a bravura performance , gordon-levitt sleazily revels in the role of bad boy ... but it 's a character undistinguished by light or shade and becomes wearing , a sex drive that ends up a cul-de-sac .", "these are caricatures rather than characters , and neither levitt nor moore ever quite lock step with the film 's snappy sitcom tone .", "a minor triumph that manages to raise some big laughs while delivering a thought-provoking message .", "a superbly acted and sporadically amusing character study , but it 's let down by an overly repetitive script , painfully underwritten female characters and a lack of chemistry between gordon-levitt , johansson and moore .", "the film manages to be extremely efficient , conveying its points , making the audience laugh , getting viewers invested and even breaking our hearts in just 90 minutes .", "actor joseph gordon-levitt does double duty , making his feature writing/directing debut with this terrific and unusual comedy that taps into this year 's cinematic focus on porn while following the basic groove of `` saturday night fever . ''", "rarely has a film offered such raw and honest talk -- with visuals , too -- about male sexuality .", "r-rating aside , it should be required viewing for every 15-year-old boy on the planet .", "writer/director/star joseph gordon-levitt takes an intriguing subject - human attraction - and nimbly probes it with wit , insight and a disarming forthrightness .", "by the time jon learns that `` you have to lose yourself in another person '' -lrb- a nice turn of phrase -rrb- , it 's too late for us to lose ourselves in the movie . `` MOV '' is already gone .", "-lsb- a -rsb- deceptively sincere movie about masculinity and its discontents that mr. gordon-levitt , making a fine feature directing debut , shapes into a story about a young man 's moral education .", "it 's never boring , but the film plays like a thesis on the modern condition more than a genuine depiction of a romantic relationship .", "joseph gordon-levitt 's writing/directing/starring debut is like its diamond-in-the-rough title character . it shows a lot of unrealized potential , with enough charm to ease you past its shortcomings .", "an overheated disquisition on the pleasures and limitations of masturbation .", "gordon-levitt 's cracking directorial debut depicts porn/sex addiction infinitely more realistically -- and rollickingly -- than 2011 's absurdly-overrated snoozefest shame .", "i wish gordon-levitt had done a lot more with this material . there was definitely potential there . -lrb- full content review for parents also available -rrb-", "who would have thought one of the most amusing and oddly insightful romantic comedies would be built around the power and the potent pull of porn ?", "the movie has a keen understanding of how easily we can hurt other people by not considering them .", "funny at times and touches on some interesting issues . but the jersey caricature is so embarrassing that it ultimately sinks the film .", "really , `` MOV '' could have - should have - gone on another 20 minutes . then again , when was the last time you felt that about a romantic comedy ? or any movie ?", "much like my high school geometry homework , gordon-levitt gets the answer right but he fails to show his work .", "smart , funny , contemporary and sharply made .", "gtl comparisons aside , jon 's sublime journey extends well past the shenanigans along the jersey shore 's old boardwalk .", "irreverent romcom about porn is insightful but very graphic .", "joseph gordon-levitt turns the gym-tan-laundry routine into an art form with MOV , his vibrant and viciously profane directorial debut .", "jgl . dtf . sorta .", "MOV is a solid debut , but my guess is that joseph gordon-levitt will have some more exciting cinematic adventures for us as his career behind the camera continues", "a fascinating and often compelling film , and a clear sign that gordon-levitt is a filmmaker of note whose future is bright if he continues to not play it safe", "MOV is a terrific directorial debut from gordon-levitt - funny , moving and with something to say about family and relationships .", "gordon-levitt shows promise as a director and his debut has bags of cinematic swagger .", "joseph gordon-levitt has not yet reached the `` star '' level where he can carry a movie .", "gordon-levitt has such a charismatic screen personality we can forgive him - to a degree - for most of his storytelling faults .", "joseph gordon-levitt makes an assured debut as a writer-director with MOV , a cultural critique of the expectations placed on relationships in an environment saturated with media misrepresentations of both women and men .", "a film with tense , ironic energy in the way that scenes flow and shots collide , but in a way that feels a bit overfamiliar and safe .", "`` MOV '' is bold and clever . very sophisticated and mature in the way it showcases the sexuality of men and women .", "as a director , gordon-levitt 's not just going places-he 's already arrived .", "MOV is a most unconventional romantic comedy . what 's not so obvious is it 's also one of the most relevant romantic comedies you 'll ever see .", "by treating jon with sympathy but without sentimentality , gordon-levitt has given us a daring portrait of modern masculinity .", "the sophisticated outrageous adult comedy we 've been waiting for all year . it 's smart , funny and has a charming message while hinting at joseph gordon-levitt 's seemingly limitless potential .", "gordon-levitt enlivens MOV with such a sense of swagger , as a director , writer and actor , that the film feels fresh .", "unexpectedly bold and finally endearing , an impressive first directorial effort from a performer who has clearly learned a lot from being on television and movie sets all his life . gordon-levitt is the undeniable real deal .", "MOV is a bold , sexy , and completely original comedy that proves gordon-levitt can do pretty much anything he sets a mind to .", "johansson walks away from MOV with one her best performances to date .", "gordon-levitt keeps things riotous for the film 's first hour , and if he eases into an ending that 's a little hollywood-standard , after having so much fun tweaking form and content , i 'm guessing audiences will cut him some slack .", "a barn-door broad burlesque of joisey stereotypes and holy-cannoli accents . it 's saturday night fever drawn in crayon ." ], "summary": "MOV proves to be an amiable directing debut for joseph gordon-levitt , and a vivacious showcase for his co-star , scarlett johansson .", "id": "771325165" }, { "movie": "tarnation", "reviews": [ "powerfully moving , revelatory , cathartic filmmaking .", "one of the most powerful examples of film as self-healing , ` MOV ' astonishes both as art and as testament .", "background is provided by affectless , unemotional words that seem to float on-screen , adding to the sense of dislocation , of fractured fairy tale .", "a documentary on the making and selling of MOV - its most fascinating selling points - could have been more cohesive and compelling than the movie itself .", "a fluid , emotionally acute movie full of soul and raw energy .", "MOV may not always be pretty , but it 's pure , powerful stuff .", "it 's one of the best movies of the year , and simultaneously one of its oddest .", "utterly absorbing and accessible .", "heartbreaking film .", "mesmerizing .", "feels as if it was thrown together , that an amateur was looking for ways to learn about new gadgets", "half self-indulgent and half excruciatingly self-aware .", "getting so close to real-life mental illness , via footage that spans many years , renders MOV a uniquely potent experience .", "` MOV ' does not engage the spectator . one is uncomfortable but , with no point from which to approach , no more than that .", "i did n't enjoy MOV , i did n't like it , i did n't particularly want to stay and watch it - but i respect it .", "a film that defies description . i 'd call it some kind of miracle .", "hey , it 's not every 11-year-old boy who wants to grow up to be ellen burstyn .", "an unusual documentary about a young man who has been a good steward of his childhood suffering and pain , creating out of it something that may prove to be helpful to others .", "not only very good indeed , but something bracingly new : a home-movie phantasmagoria that 's simultaneously an uncompromising autobiographical confession , saga of tragic family dysfunction , touching love story , and hypnotic avant-garde collage .", "... it seems fairly obvious that the movie would 've been far more effective had caouette reigned in some of his over-the-top directorial choices .", "a kaleidoscopic found-art project that looks to redefine the nature of documentary filmmaking .", "i do wonder if it 's possible to review MOV without fearing that you 're complimenting the emperor on his new wardrobe", "profoundly intimate , disturbing and compelling ride through caouette 's autobiographical , trauma-filled emotional roller coaster .", "caouette has crafted 19 years ' worth of home movies , video diaries and answering machine messages into a bracing autobiographical fever dream .", "MOV coalesces into a pop-art diary , the self-made soap opera , the arthouse version of a reality show . a fascinating but bloated movie .", "as a first-time experimental filmmaker , caouette displays remarkable directing and editing skills .", "undeniably compelling , it 's proof of the therapeutic potential of filmmaking , but also of our limitless propensity for morbid curiosity .", "a soul-baring scrapbook of a film , its audacity surpassed only by its tragedy .", "here 's hoping your kids ' home movies never look like this .", "although aggressively unconventional , it 's never pretentious .", "you should n't go see `` MOV '' because it was made so cheaply . you should see it because it was made so well .", "an astonishing multimedia diary ... all accompanied by a scrolled family history that is as harrowing to read as a ransom note .", "MOV is visually inventive , even dazzling at times , and the music is terrific , but the subject matter is hugely depressing and weirdly narcissistic .", "a haunting , riveting film that 's as self-serving as it is revelatory . it 's movie-making as therapy , and i hope it worked .", "a disturbing self-portrait limned from the filmmaker 's relentless narcissism and his fetishization of mental illness , family dysfunction and personal suffering .", "caouette lifts his story clear out of the victimized whine that bogs down so many confessional memoirs and offers the viewer instead an intimate look inside his ravaged yet loving head , at once street-smart and haloed by the naivet\u00e9 of a young saint .", "as raw and personal as a movie can be , the equivalent of a cinematic journal or diary . but it 's also artfully constructed and articulated , written , edited and musically designed with often jolting brilliance .", "the images are hypnotic and unnerving , elevating what might have been a masturbatory exercise into something transcendent and genuinely moving .", "MOV is some kind of triumph of personal expression -lsb- but -rsb- also maddening at times in caouette 's lack of restraint ... defiantly -lsb- is -rsb- what it is : one of a kind .", "it is a remarkable film , immediate , urgent , angry , poetic and stubbornly hopeful .", "a masterpiece .", "caouette 's movie succeeds because of its cinematic showmanship , injecting the personal documentary form with an urgently expressive avant-gardism .", "caouette deftly overcomes all such labels with his new film MOV , a surprising , shocking and genuinely compassionate look at his own life .", "the film is moving and disturbing at the same time .", "MOV is a collage of pain that breaks over you like a wave .", "caouette 's triumph over his harrowing childhood and adolescence is itself a huge accomplishment -- but with MOV , he has used art , wit and a huge heart to forge his experiences into an unqualified masterpiece .", "certainly one of the strangest and most interesting movies of the year , and i suspect that in years to come a number of other strange and interesting movies will show traces of its influence .", "caouette has taken the broken pieces of two lives and slowly , painstakingly , pasted them together -- and created one superb work of art .", "the results , cuisinarted but coherent , are an entrancing , egocentric trip into a life so unfavored by fortune its owner would be forgiven for believing in past-life crimes and karmic retribution .", "a tale of overwhelming sadness and fierce histrionics .", "as caouette lays out events in storybook fashion , what pulsates through MOV is that life , even at its most hellish , is a thing of perilous and desperate rapture .", "it 's one of the best debut films in recent years .", "harrowing , extremely disturbing at times , but brought to the screen in dazzling pop-art images that make the movie 's grim content very much worth watching .", "a bold , painful memoir located in an innovative middleground between conventional documentary and homemade home-movie collage .", "it 's a riveting high-wire act by a young man on the verge .", "the film is in the may program of the charlotte film society , and even the cfs has offered few pictures this compellingly strange .", "como toda confesi\u00f3n , en la que alguien desnuda su intimidad sin pudor para quien quiera escuchar , MOV es capaz de generar desde la fascinaci\u00f3n curiosa hasta la incomodidad y el rechazo .", "full of real humanity and occasional insight , this is not the most feelgood movie you 'll see this year , but in its total honesty it does manage to be important and moving .", "a twisted pastiche of pain , suffering , and narcissistic indulgence .", "an original , personal , emotionally touching documentary , which represents a new type of indie , based on innovating filmmaking .", "witness his hilarious high school musical rendition of david lynch 's blue velvet : much like the documentary itself , it 's a heartbreaking , beautiful monstrosity .", "jonathan had plenty to be woeful about , but the movie is best when it slips quietly into the pockets between his family 's dramatic episodes .", "as performance art born of personal pain , `` MOV '' stares teary-eyed into how genetics , culture , environment and susceptibility conspire to trigger mental illness - a documentary more to be experienced than simply viewed .", "nearly impossible to watch , thoroughly unpleasant yet strangely arresting .", "there 's no doubting the deep love caouette feels for his troubled mother , nor his achievement in forging such a rawly emotional film from his own traumatic experiences .", "the mesmerizing , trippy and thoroughly heartbreaking result of two decades ' work .", "often this is like watching a film by a diane arbus who grew up in the video age .", "both enlightening and creepy in almost equal measure , but it 's more than a stunt : it 's a cry of anguish you 're not likely to forget .", "no film has ever , ever affected me as much as this one did . i do n't know whether it 's a great movie , or just particularly good at hitting all of my buttons .", "a sometimes heartbreaking , sometimes frustrating , never less than convincing peek into a family that takes the fun out of dysfunction .", "tinged with nostalgia and flooded with narcissism , this is n't easy to watch . but caouette 's fractured history is imbued with heart-crushing sincerity .", "MOV leaves the viewer in a positive state of mind .", "an unflinching self-portrait that traces difficult lives and does n't back down from the emotional rawness of the subject .", "it 's just devastating stuff .", "a kaleidoscopic vision that is often heartbreaking in its raw depiction of real-life events , but it can also be exhilaratingly impressionistic .", "both nakedly revealing and irrepressibly arty , it 's a therapeutic home movie made as form-redefining documentary morphed into aesthetic object .", "a remarkable and remarkably compelling document .", "a daunting blend of head trip , cin\u00e9ma verite , music video , and auto-therapy .", "it is to be hoped that mr. caouette can make many more films of all kinds , but he will probably never again be able to cut to the bone of his existence with such sublime feeling .", "a lacerating portrait of a family in free-fall .", "by all odds , MOV should have been an unwatchable , masochistic morass , but caouette 's love for the broken renee -- which is the true subject of the film -- is awe-inspiring .", "it 's almost hypnotic , as the family members do a dysfunctional two-step with each other , and MOV will sweep you up with a style unlike no other documentary .", "a tortured , inspired , convulsively beautiful film memoir .", "it transcends the recent trend of self-revelatory documentaries and becomes something rare : art .", "it 's disturbing , funny , uncomfortable , heartbreaking , and absolutely facsinating .", "not for all tastes , but for those who come to the table with an appetite for something different they will be treated with a special home cooked meal .", "its fierce emotional honesty ca n't be denied .", "it is a brave personal statement .", "for all the horrors MOV exposes , it 's ultimately a supremely uplifting experience for the simple reason that jonathan caouette survived .", "the movie climbs inside your head and rattles your consciousness .", "in making beautiful peace with a difficult past , caouette has delivered a promising vision of a future .", "MOV is a kinetic kaleidoscope , an explosion of expressionism . it 's the product of a mind blown apart , but not completely away , by tragic circumstances .", "a genre-busting creation , a breakthrough in filmmaking that 's strange and raw and difficult to watch .", "a hopscotch through the looking glass in whose shards caouette has chosen to define and explain himself .", "both deeply touching and aesthetically powerful ." ], "summary": "using music and home video footage to great effect , jonathan caouette has made a very personal and moving film .", "id": "17160" }, { "movie": "mechanic", "reviews": [ "with `` the MOV , '' statham has found a vehicle nicely suited to his narrow but nevertheless real talents .", "less frenetic than your usual jason statham action franchise film , this remake of the 1972 charles bronson/jan-michael vincent vehicle is more of the kind of character-driven suspense audiences often say they want .", "a sputtering remake in need of a more powerful recharge .", "... services its action like an insensitive lover - hard , rough and fast . but its one-night-stand approach to the genre probably wo n't attract the loyalty luc besson 's seductively euro-trashy transporter flicks have earned .", "`` the MOV , '' 2011 edition , is a striking-looking work , combining an arty inkiness with a retro-graininess that more or less screams 1970s , albeit without the cliches and flatness . if only you liked the people in the picture .", "considerably more fun than the rather lethargic original .", "statham has at least three more movies coming out this year . i bet at least one of them will be better .", "even by the sloppy , soulless standards of hit man movies , `` the MOV '' is a mess .", "the auteur who gave us con air ... is back , extending his cinema terrible of violent , unthinking nihilism and brutal , pointless action . oh , and misogyny for fun . hoorah !", "jason statham does n't stretch much as an actor . he does n't have to . his taciturn delivery and bullet-headed intensity make him the perfect star for the current amped-up trend in action movies .", "statham has my respect for two reasons : 1 -rrb- he 's one of the few remaining action stars who is n't claiming his pension , and 2 -rrb- he has yet to star in a disney movie in which he must babysit projectile-vomiting children .", "statham convincingly breaks faces with effortless ease . it 's as if he studied at the lee strasberg institute of badassery . he is the stanislavski of neck-stomping .", "some slack was needed for hard edged thriller the MOV to truly blossom into a thing of brutal beauty , rather than the cold action film presented before us .", "it 's a boys ' movie with a big bang finish", "it never pretends like it 's going to be anything more or better than what you expect , and it never gives you anything less than totally entertaining gun blasting , car crashing and face smashing . lots of it .", "the MOV is like a beretta loaded with blanks -- quick and brutal but ultimately empty .", "in the end , the MOV proves that while revenge is a dish best served cold , revenge movies are best served with fire in the belly .", "if you enjoy senseless and creative slaughter , the sound of gunfire , the sweet embrace of explosions and the well-muscled-testicle-like visage of jason statham , then this movie may well be for you .", "the assassin gets a conscience in this fast-paced action thriller that offers a few interesting twists between its huge stunts , ''", "am i the only one who would n't mind seeing jason statham play something besides a coolly efficient butt kicking machine ?", "slick , swift and edgy enough to keep you glued .", "engineered to do exactly what you want : smash , crash and gurn . another b-movie franchise for the stath ? quite possibly .", "people who think they do n't make movies like they used to should check out the MOV , a persuasive replica of a 1970s b-film with much of the same genre splatter .", "when it comes to the vehicle of an action movie , statham is a first-rate MOV .", "an intermittently arresting , mostly standard action entry that deals death noisily more than cleverly - a lot like the original .", "overly stylized and slick , with a few moments of brutal simplicity .", "over the past decade or so , jason statham has morphed from french connection clothes-horse to brit-pic also-ran to international action hero - and after sitting through the MOV i can semi-see why .", "... may be preposterous at times , but it exudes style and swagger .", "while that pop mythology was still relatively fresh back in bronson 's day , it 's so played out at this point that not even the enjoyably no-nonsense statham can pump any life into it .", "to paraphrase roger murtaugh , 43-year-old jason statham might be getting too old for this bone-crunching , head-smashing , action-thriller nonsense", "exceedingly violent action remake also has sex , drinking .", "-lsb- the -rsb- plot feels like a standard issue r-rated action picture from the 1970s , which is not a good thing when the current year is 2011 .", "tomb raider maestro simon west 's remake of the 1972 action thriller ca n't be bothered with nuance , intrigue , or piquant detail .", "a mixture of hackneyed script , explicit violence and a plot with no thrust .", "like the original , it is a moody , atmospheric film , one boasting significantly more depth than your typical blow - 'em - up .", "a solid , unremarkable action movie and there 's absolutely nothing wrong with that .", "nobody delivers the action thriller goods better than jason statham", "if the action did n't work , it would be as forgettable as the film that spawned it . but simon west 's shiny and swift direction , inspired by tony scott sensationalism and invigorated by a louisiana blues score , just about manages to grip .", "it 's nuts-and-bolts action cinema , of the kind that does a job come saturday night : on the stath-o-meter , nothing so delirious as crank , but a marked improvement on the transporters .", "wo n't win any prizes at charm school but delivers the goods .", "it proves middling , and occasionally muddled , on almost every level .", "a summer popcorn flick for the winter : this loose remake of the 1972 charles bronson actioner is an unpretentious generic feature that delivers the basic goods and serves as suitable star vehicle for jason statham", "the company men with guns , but no families or pensions . all they have is their job , and retirement literally equals death .", "glitzy trash , a violent bauble so ludicrous and over-the-top that it reeks of luc besson 's influence .", "a sleek , brutally succinct thriller that showcases jason statham 's sly talent for being just that little bit better than he has to be in roles that favor brawn over brains .", "how much longer can statham keep afloat unremarkable action pictures ? will he ever burst out of his comfort zone and surprise us ?", "statham and foster play off each other nicely , and director simon west strikes a playful balance between carnage and conviviality , gore and gregariousness .", "it 's a fairly entertaining action flick , fun for the superficial swill that it is .", "it 's about gunplay and pricey sports cars bursting into flames while three or four cameras capture the moment . in slo-mo . cue the cool music .", "there 's really no clear reason why a remake was warranted or why statham , so exquisitely calibrated to action-comedy weirdness , would sign on to rehash the -lrb- far better -rrb- past glories of humorless seventies action flicks .", "-lsb- video -rsb- anything you do , do n't underestimate `` the MOV . '' this is one badass movie .", "if you called it dumb fun , you 'd be half right .", "credit this action flick with self-awareness : it does n't try to dazzle with deep meditations on aging assassins filled with regret . this is a movie devoted to celebrating mayhem , which it does with straightforward flair .", "yet one more formula flick about a taciturn killer who , despite his penchant for slaying and maiming , actually turns out to be the kind of nice guy you might consider friending on facebook .", "takes a few moments for social commentary in the form of a zaftig cult leader with a weakness for double-fudge cake and 18-year-olds , but the point of the exercise is a rollicking good time", "statham is a model of control ; he 's steely and graceful in his action scenes , and his interplay with the wiry foster delivers the goods .", "its black heart is in the right place .", "the MOV provides a killer fix for a boring afternoon .", "ramping up the action , and forsaking a bit of credibility , may seem like a cop-out , but it 's an enjoyable one all the same , albeit , hardly groundbreaking as action films go .", "a substantial improvement over its impossibly dull predecessor ...", "a serviceable , if brutal assassin action pic whose formula flaws are easy to overlook with jason statham and ben foster involved .", "` the MOV ' is kind of a remake of a 1970s-era charles bronson movie . and it 's kind of a vehicle for jason statham , who has cemented his reputation as a tough-guy action star in the ` transporter ' and ` crank ' series .", "clinging to false heroism and terrified of anything too dark , the MOV is a tough-guy movie for wimps .", "better than the transporter but not as much fun as crank .", "have n't we already had enough movies about solitary , enigmatic hit men ? is there anything possibly left to do with the genre that 's new ?", "let 's not denigrate the term `` action film '' by applying it to the remake signed by director simon west . this is a violence film , not an action film .", "standard statham stuff .", "this is a superficially chic offering , which skips along pacily enough but leaves very little impression .", "a MOV seems like a thinking man 's occupation . the MOV , though , barely has a thought in its head .", "the movie has about as much of a story and character motivation as the video game pac-man , but that 's ok .", "adding more explosions and gunplay does n't make the story any more interesting .", "`` the MOV '' tells a story as old as `` hamlet '' in a style as new as unbaked bread . what 's the point ?", "the look and feel of this version has a gritty seventies edge that makes it feel less like a remake and more like a tribute to the original .", "` the MOV ' is the prototypical early year action movie-nothing more and nothing less . statham , who again plays an infallible , lethal bad-ass , seems to have carved his niche as the current go-to guy for b-movie action flicks .", "donald sutherland and ben foster : you 're so good you 're distracting me from the film .", "watching statham in action is always worth the price of admission .", "i feel more comfortable forking over my twelve dollars for a movie by jason statham than i do for a movie by just about anyone else .", "the remake of the mechanichas no guts at all . it wants to make a happy , shiny , feel-good hit man movie while pretending to be all badass .", "the MOV threatens to deviate from the statham action movie template , but only for about 40 minutes .", "the 2011 film , by comparison , is a tightly wound , more stylish creature .", "the new stunts are explosive , over-the-top and a sign of the times -- action fans are n't happy these days , it seems , unless at least one scene involves a jackknifing 18-wheeler and a fireball .", "the MOV is well acted and provides plenty of gunfights and explosions but the action sequences are underwhelming , the plot lacks focus and the overall effect is disappointing .", "director simon west makes statham and foster sexy , sexy , ruthless killers . i want this to be statham 's next franchise . foster sexiness vibrates through a lousy haircut , bad facial hair , and a creepy cap .", "while i would n't go so far as to call the MOV truly dull , it 's definitely missing what has made other statham action vehicles stand out so well : creativity .", "frantic , numbing redo of the charles bronson original for hardcore statham and action fans only .", "mostly , the MOV creaks and groans as it goes through the motions , and not even its lavish violence -- which includes much smashing of heads and a nasty screwdriver stabbing -- is particularly electrifying .", "the MOV is ham-fisted pulp , like robert rodriguez 's machete taking itself seriously .", "statham is , in his understated way , a satisfying action star , stoically going about his business . foster is just a flat-out good actor , as anyone who saw his work in `` the messenger '' or `` 3:10 to yuma '' can attest .", "the new version delivers in a far more conventional way , but it does deliver .", "while the MOV does n't retool the formula of a hit man movie , it certainly serves it up better than expected .", "depth of character is an afterthought : the principal dilemma our heroes face is , how best to eliminate the next faceless goon that enters our path ? to which the answer invariably is : use the gun .", "the MOV is adequate light entertainment for those who enjoy thrillers , but it is uneven and the underwhelming ending will disappoint those who enjoyed the delicious irony served up by its predecessor .", "statham , the british star of the transporter and crank films and an old favorite of guy ritchie , has a quietly fierce physicality , a stylish masculinity that makes him appealing to both men and women .", "the MOV is my kind of action movie : nasty , brutish , brisk and ass-kicking .", "-lsb- simon west -rsb- goes for headshots , stabbings and other dispatches that are the antithesis of modern pg-13 action filmmaking .", "if you 're looking for substance , character development , and an engaging storyline , you 'll sadly be disappointed as this film is seriously lacking in all three of those areas .", "a brainless and easily-forgettable thriller .", "somewhat faithful to the original , but a stupendously violent fiasco that weasels its way into being unlikable .", "the MOV will be a decent time-killer for statham fans , but it 's another black mark against the name of director simon west .", "... a minor pleasure to see an action film that makes a virtue of lean , mean action stripped to the essence .", "statham , he of the chiseled physique and sexily receding hairline , holds his own here , doing what he has to in scenes and no more -- which is perfect for a movie like this .", "statham has slowly become this generations ' bruce willis , combining a quiet and sly screen persona with the ability to kick major ass when called upon", "a passable , but emotionally empty , action film that fails to capitalize on its interesting characters .", "jason statham is quickly becoming the 21st century 's bruce willis -- i am convinced that when the apocalypse comes , the only things left surviving on the planet will be cockroaches and this derbyshire-born bloke .", "the MOV is revenge served up well enough to blast the winter blues away .", "this is a movie you seek out for action rather than acting and character development . it provides a great escape from the winter doldrums .", "ben foster knows how to simmer as well as go berserk on camera with the best of them , and his performance here gives him plenty of opportunity to show off those acting chops .", "contains the line : `` i 'm gon na put a price on your head so big , when you look in the mirror your reflection 's gon na want to shoot you in the face . '' that 's pure action-movie dialogue poetry . no way am i not giving a film with that in it a thumbs up .", "if you do want an ambiguous thriller about the inner lives of hitmen , watch the original MOV . if you just want a flashy modern action film , the new one will do .", "an efficient thriller with certain intellectual pretensions .", "there 's nothing to the plot and to describe in detail the action scenes would take the fun out of the experience for action fans who could n't care less what the story 's about anyway .", "if you are the best of the best , it 's probably not a good idea to add a drunk psychopath as your partner .", "check your brain at the door and enjoy .", "this is pulp fiction territory , where torturing people to get information is par for the course , and opening fire may summon your victim 's bodyguards but never the police .", "an impressively made action drama that is tense , exciting and excellently performed .", "you wo n't get better than average with the MOV , you 'll get exactly average .", "when it 's smashing up the joint , repelling from skyscrapers , or spraying bullets , the film is hypnotic , deploying a sure hand of violence that keeps matters visceral , splattering blood everywhere .", "the MOV has the right tone for an action movie . the characters take it all seriously , but the story just goes wildly over the top for the sake of creating awesome set pieces .", "sure , we 've seen the whole `` criminal caught in a moral crisis '' before . luckily , this time around , everyone ignores the ethos and just kicks ass .", "that scowl on jason statham 's face may not have budged a millimetre since lock , stock and two smoking barrels , but his latest action flick proves that his grim cockney-lout routine can still be plenty effective .", "expecting logic from the director of the wonderful con air is not the wisest move , yet simon west frequently depicts events in such a baffling manner that one wonders whether someone snuck into the editing suite with a pair of scissors .", "despite the dependably uber-cool presence of jason statham , the MOV does n't wield enough inventiveness or attitude to fix its overriding sense of familiarity .", "depth of character is traded for bloody broad strokes .", "based on the 1972 thriller starring charles bronson , this MOV is a far more nuts and bolts job , eschewing the surreal atmosphere of michael winner 's original .", "mindless brutal mayhem , signifying very little", "` the MOV is your basic action movie - earning its r-rating via sex , nudity and violence . everything you could ask for , other than an engaging story or characters that will keep you interested throughout the entire film .", "a solid if unnecessary and compromised remake of the 1972 existential hitman thriller ...", "the result is just good enough to pass as an action flick you watch with the forgiving gaze that comes from too many beers and too little sleep .", "if you 've already seen the bronson vehicle that was released almost 40 years ago -lrb- or if you 're an action fan in general -rrb- you wo n't be in for many surprises , but that does n't mean the new rendition is lacking in entertainment value or nail-biting suspense .", "... a thrill ride , running on an empty tank .", "granted , this is not oscar material , and it is very violent , but i enjoyed it for what it is -- a fast-paced , shoot-em-up that 's meant to help you forget the winter doldrums", "it 's all a bit convoluted and preposterous , but statham and especially foster make a great tandem of assassins .", "there is a line of dialogue said by tony goldwyn 's character that is worth the entire price of admission ! other than that , the rest of the film is mediocre at best .", "jason statham , with his growling , british accent and his working class looks , is one of the best action heroes in years , and he steps easily into charles bronson 's shoes .", "not nearly as fun as an action movie starring jason statham from the director of `` con air '' should be .", "west 's slick , fairly faithful new remake gives partial screenplay credit to lewis john carlino , who wrote the original `` MOV . '' but the picture is n't likely to do for jason statham what the 1972 film did for bronson .", "with its unrelenting violence and obligatory bonking sessions , this is one for avid ` stath ' fans only .", "the only hitman movie i 've ever seen that has a `` taking your puppy to a coffee shop '' montage .", "what are we supposed to take away from the film ? director simon west would probably prefer that we not bother to think about it , or anything , at all .", "mr. statham , the specialist in english tough guys who was so affecting in `` the bank job , '' has more to offer than `` the MOV '' has the grace to receive .", "the film does n't break a centimeter of new ground , but its stripped-down mayhem and more-nuanced-than-necessary performances are a modest surprise .", "to the extent it makes sense , it 's a collection of time-honored cliches , and to the extent that it 's original , `` the MOV '' is insane , bordering on gloriously insane .", "if more dutiful than dynamic , it does fix what was previously broke , making over its subpar predecessor into a generic yet serviceable statham vehicle .", "as a january time-waster you could do worse , but it 's long past time to start demanding more of this genre than shoddily-written revenge stories shot with the bungee cam .", "betrayal , sympathy and regret are central to the story , but there 's hardly any room for such feelings amid the clockwork carnage .", "if bronson moved to the cadence of a death march , a drawn-out requiem for an executioner losing his taste for the work , statham 's hurtles toward a climax that 's less diabolical but more satisfying .", "the MOV is marked by relentless blood-letting and violence , with in-your-face crashes and explosions and all the other wild-eyed and utterly illogical activity that makes good action/adventure so exhilarating to watch .", "the interplay between dry arthur and crazy , caustic steve is what makes the movie fun .", "the arthur/steve relationship at the movie 's heart is what lifts the MOV above the common run of kablammo ! action thrillers .", "the elements were in place to do much better , and the MOV eventually succumbs to its lost potential .", "a weak script and a fumbled climax seriously deflate what could have been an explosive thriller .", "there just is n't enough consistent energy to light up the glum , generic plot or enliven the one-dimensional performances .", "jason statham needs to get a tune-up , switch gears and hit the gas .", "despite all his high-octane assignments , the only imperfection statham receives is the crow 's feet on his face . that 's because his invincible shield protects him from all the rest of the body-razing annihilation that his person should have endured .", "the first legitimate action film of 2011 .", "why hire simon west and then not let him try to make another con air ? that 's just cruel , for all concerned ." ], "summary": "jason statham and ben foster turn in enjoyable performances , but this superficial remake betrays them with mind-numbing violence and action thriller cliches .", "id": "771022182" }, { "movie": "other_sister", "reviews": [ "the surprises are interesting , but not enough to save the film from itself .", "warm-hearted but ultimately soft !", "a torturous endurance test !", "never manages more than a glib , tv movie-of - the-week glance at their lives .", "everything is reduced to a transparent formula . and everyone plays their schematic part .", "a neatly wrapped made-for-tv homily !", "for what is supposed to be a poignant love story , the MOV fails to show much spark .", "giovanni ribisi could be his generation 's dustin hoffman ... he could also be his generation 's richard benjamin ...", "grotesquely sentimental , shamelessly manipulative and fundamentally bad .", "the film pushes the outer limits of just how long anyone with a normal i.q. can watch what should be a tv sitcom .", "builds toward an emotional crescendo that will fill you with tears , many of joy .", "impresses with its hardy ability to tickle and tear its audience .", "it 's as dull as a butter knife and slowed to interminable mediocrity , and inadvertently brings to mind the title of marshall 's autobiography : `` wake me when it 's funny . ''", "this movie offers itself to us like a cow with too many udders .", "the press notes describe the MOV as ` uplifting ' and ` bittersweet ' ; a more accurate description would be ` insulting . '", "it has all the right cast members ... but it cripples them with the screenplay .", "has neither the imagination nor the reach of forrest gump .", "instead of frank talk about real issues , `` sister '' stubbornly accentuates the positive , offering up gorgeous houses and a sweeping pop soundtrack instead of any sort of insight into the problems a woman in carla 's situation might face .", "lewis is terrific !", "lacks the depth of thought this complex topic deserves .", "beautifully acted !", "the charming innocence in this unusual take on first love and first heartbreak gives the MOV its special quality .", "mostly works thanks to lead performances .", "it pirouettes past problems , exuberantly celebrating two folks who fall in love .", "watchable fun .", "lewis portrays carla with a purity that is innocent and winning !", "one of the most genuinely sweet love stories to come along in quite some time .", "shameless in its use of mental retardation as a gimmick , a prop and a plot device .", "so over-the-top maudlin that it makes patch adams and stepmom look stoic and reserved .", "there 's a word for this vulgar family-therapy movie : retarded .", "not only is the film way too long , but it often comes across as extremely haphazard with many scenes seeming too random , unattached to the greater picture and/or orphaned midstream ." ], "summary": "made-for-tv drama evokes anything but real emotion .", "id": "10244" }, { "movie": "lost_boys", "reviews": [ "a supremely watchable example of something the '80s did right .", "for the most part , the movie is goofy fun .", "the movie may not offer a lot in the way of serious frights or even originality , but it is most definitely weird and decidedly funny .", "it laughs at the form it embraces , adds a rock-and-roll soundtrack and , if you share its serious-satiric attitude , manages to be very funny .", "killing bloodsuckers was enough to make fright night a hit , and it will probably do the same for the crass , obvious MOV .", "ultimately , this is a film for nostalgic fans and for kids with the appropriate dark leanings , but it 's not going to wow anyone else .", "did i mention both coreys are in it ?", "directed with a cavalier disregard for intelligibility , this has to be one of the most anaemic vampire flicks ever made .", "the MOV is not a movie you want to put in a time capsule or even revisit , unless your name happens to be corey .", "a coffinload of dvd extras to sate your MOV bloodlust !", "when everything is all over , there 's nothing to leave the theater with -- no real horrors , no real dread , no real imagination -- just technique at the service of formula .", "it 's often sloppy and thinly plotted , but this is , after all , a summer movie , and if it 's nothing to really sink your fangs into , it 's often very funny .", "there 's always room for fancy trash , and this movie -- about a gang of punk vampires terrorizing the new kids in town -- seems capable of providing some . then the characters open their mouths .", "a horrifically dreadful vampire teensploitation entry .", "though there is enough gore in the film to satisfy the typical bloodthirsty filmgoer , its strong suit is deadpan humor .", "schumacher falls far short of the talent for pop wit that joe dante showed in gremlins and the howling .", "a master mold of horror and comedy ...", "southern california is n't exactly transylvania , but the settings are effectively spooky . and there 's some amusing satire on the horror-pic genre . the plot is weak , though .", "the MOV , which attempts to be funny while preserving the shock value of the vampire legend , aims somewhat higher ... and misses .", "the MOV is heady , cutting-edge vampire stuff . mind you , it 's also very tongue-in-cheek . so watch out for those fangs , gang .", "joel schumacher 's 1987 teen vampire flick is ageing well . part of that is down to the sexy blend of bad lads , bloodsuckers , camp comedy and carnage , but the quality of the cast plays a huge part too .", "while it 's not quite as original or witty as it could have been , this unashamedly glossy take on vampire mythology has a clever script that 's packed with twists , and builds to a surprisingly tense climax .", "a corn-ball '80s vampire classic ! starring the two corey 's !", "a schlocky and stylish teen-oriented gorefest that 's humorously off-kilter and frothy -- it 's something worth sinking your fangs into !", "overdirected and junky , but mildly amusing .", "gothic style , humor and sexy stars -- a cult classic", "the picture affirms that the only thing truly important is this image of the older brother with his arm around the younger .", "with its cool cast and classic kiss-off ending , the MOV will forever be a cultural touchstone of '80s cinema . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "one of the best thrillers of our time ... rocks as well as it rolls", "arguably joel schumacher 's finest film .", "it has n't aged well . at all .", "a hugely enjoyable picture that proves joel schumacher really can direct and that not everything about the 1980s was awful .", "despite its flaws , however , the film is an interesting addition to vampire cinema .", "an exhilarating hybrid of horror and suburban comedy .", "schumacher ` s sputtering , short-term approach to the material is a disappointment , because there 's something in it that ought to make for a good movie , and from time to time makes the MOV good enough .", "that schumacher handles the transitions between very light horror , comedy , teen romance , and action as well as he does is evidence of a sure hand found nowhere else in his filmography .", "... a passable yet unspectacular relic of the 1980s .", "scary '80s vamp film . older teens only .", "it starts slow , but finishes fast with some clever plot twists . in the end , all is not lost with these boys .", "probably the guiltiest of the guilty pleasure vampire flicks .", "this is , however , a cinematographer 's film and while everyone else seemed to be putting in half-hearted efforts , the cinematographer was working overtime ." ], "summary": "flawed but eminently watchable , joel schumacher 's teen vampire thriller blends horror , humor , and plenty of visual style with standout performances from a cast full of young 1980s stars .", "id": "13088" }, { "movie": "faceoff", "reviews": [ "i think i finally isolated what irritates me about this movie : it is the fact that it promotes the idea that you can indulge in hatred and vengeance with a positive result .", "john woo 's face/off puts the acting into action flick ...", "face/off is the kind of action film that gives summer movies a better reputation .", "face/off is a masterpiece equal to the action classics seven samurai , the wild bunch and the good , the bad , and the ugly .", "in face/off , woo sweeps us away again , into a world of wild action , heroism , villainy and double faces that turn deadly .", "with face/off , john woo , the hong kong auteur -lrb- the killer , hard boiled -rrb- , has made his smartest , wildest , positively woo-siest american thriller .", "the film succeeds in overcoming its implausibilities because director woo offers such a tantalising package .", "i wo n't pretend that i completely enjoyed it , but it certainly has a few elements that i 've never seen before . action aficionados will undoubtedly slobber all over themselves .", "face/off is a giant step for a filmmaker known more for action sequences than psychological insight .", "-lsb- a -rsb- gorgeously shot , repetitively violent , occasionally repellent , sometimes silly and consistently trashy fantasy .", "an engaging and at times sophisticated story of identity and behavior , wearing the leering face of a farcical action cartoon .", "for all its fiery explosions , face/off just kind of implodes .", "what really makes face/off tick , what sells the movie more than anything else , are the dazzling performances from the two leading men .", "woo more than delivers in the overblown action stakes . it 's also patently evident that both stars are having a ball sending up each other 's mannerisms .", "it 's sick , slick and sensational .", "it 's difficult to describe the jolt his films deliver when -lsb- woo -rsb- 's on , and he is on with a vengeance here .", "a slam-bang-in-your-face action thriller with big explosions , multiple bullet storms , spectacular stunts and -lrb- get this -rrb- , great performances , interesting characters , an intelligent script , witty dialogue , a strong female presence , and an intriguing premise", "... director john woo takes an incredibly silly premise and despite its limitations turns it into an entertaining thrill ride .", "ai n't it cool -- indeed .", "the dramatic scenes have emotional gravity , while the exhilarating action sequences defy gravity .", "this is your action movie on drugs -- any questions ? -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "typical for woo , the sheer force of the imagery is supposed to carry viewers past plot absurdities ... while at the same time , the director wants the audience to buy into the emotional lives of his obsessed and haunted characters .", "sets new standards for a genre which plays it safe and predictable too often .", "this brutal , stunningly choreographed spectacle weaves together lyrical beauty , blasphemy , sadistic cruelty and grotesque sentimentality with breathtakingly smooth assurance .", "while it still ranks as the best john woo hollywood film ever made , it 's not quite the action masterpiece that most remember it being .", "watching travolta and cage play dual hero and dual villain roles remains the most enjoyable aspect", "overwrought , sci-fi crime thriller . not for kids .", "here comes a mega-movie that actually delivers what mega-movies promise ...", "you see what thickets this plot constructs ; it 's as if travolta adds the spin courtesy of cage 's personality , while cage mellows in the direction of travolta .", "face/off , john woo 's third hollywood movie , is the maddest , most enjoyable blockbuster of the summer .", "a $ 100 million movie with a $ 3 plot .", "... with face/off , -lsb- woo -rsb- wonderfully balances bloodbaths with plot and depth .", "face/off is smarter than many other action movies , but it lacks heart . it 's interesting to ponder , but it does n't suck you in .", "florid , passionate , frequently hilarious and loaded with messy emotions that nobody in his or her right mind should even attempt to explain , it 's operatic in its nutball intensity .", "capable of moments of rare cinematic perfection", "thank god for john woo , the best action director in the world .", "for something with such a bizarre premise , face/identity swapping , kind of like freaky friday on lsd -- woo pulled this sucker off .", "travolta plays the over-the-top , oddball villain with gusto , but it is cage who really impresses , striking no false notes in the more difficult , subtle , emotional role .", "john woo is showing signs of maturing as a filmmaker .", "travolta and cage then had the acting difficulty of adopting the other person 's mannerisms while retaining their own voice and body . there are both superb at it ...", "it could be argued that this movie 's callousness toward human life is nihilistic and nasty . but woo takes everything so absurdly far that audiences laugh at what horrified them moments before .", "the story is completely nuts , the characters bigger than life ...", "watching face/off , i was reminded again and again of the great artist who made those great hong kong films .", "if there has been a major hollywood release with a higher body count , i do n't remember it .", "scenes of high-voltage action vie with wild hilarity as two guys with guns switch faces and identities .", "arguably the best action director in the world , woo also manages complex emotional content and a deft way with music .", "garbage of the finest vintage .", "the cop , more messed up than the criminal he chases , ignores his family and becomes almost as twisted as the criminal he is seeking . woo makes these characters and themes refreshing ...", "what we have here is the first , true american john woo movie .", "this is grand moviemaking with grand acting .", "the concept of face/off is a multifaceted benchmark : it is john woo 's best american film , a requisite entry in the library of action films , and it is an actor 's dream .", "all in all , mr. woo has made face/off into an eye-popping magic show .", "a knockout new thriller by john woo .", "face/off is a full-blooded , movie-going experience . it 's 100 percent movie .", "-lsb- woo -rsb- benefits from the dual performances of john travolta and nicolas cage , who alternately glower and boogie their way through creepy material that would have been far beyond the reach of lesser stars .", "the visuals are impossibly glossy and the sound impossibly loud . every frame glistens with that antiseptic precision of advertising . even the slightest emotional vibration is writ in 100-point type ,", "almost indefensibly violent , the film is one of those whirligigs of wit , barbaric energy , blood spatters and firepower that will be adored by the morally retarded among us -- like me -- and loathed by the morally superior .", "this is the ultimate woo movie , but while his fans will enjoy every minute , others will find it too long , repetitive , and violent .", "face/off is the best action movie of the summer .", "cage is good , travolta is better . there is a glee to his performance , a sheer joy at playing two roles in one . he 's having a rip-roaringly good time , and so are we .", "woo es probablemente el mejor director de acci\u00f3n que existe .", "after seeing this numbing action flick , i 'm still stumped what all the hype is about . so many critics and viewers arond the country marveled at this movie , but for what ? it 's not a horrible movie , but it certainly is n't very good .", "travolta and cage are exceptional , performing as their own characters and each other 's .", "though the plotting is preposterous , this is john woo 's most successful american movie , demonstrating his unique signature as auetur applied to a a blockbuster .", "possibly the greatest , and definitely the most exuberant , action film to come out of the studio system in the '90s", "woo 's poetic-kinetic style has evolved , if not to the point of abstraction , then to delirium : he makes a virtue of incredulity .", "stars cage and travolta are fine in their roles .", "... a nihilistic thrill ride ; a breathless ultra-violent fantasy with real characters and smart actors", "the premise is , of course , absolutely ridiculous . it also is absolutely brilliant , and incredibly subversive .", "a truly original plotline and a magnificent cast", "face/off proved not only too be a massive hit but also demonstrated that there was plenty of room in the hollywood action movie for more than a little bit of eastern promise .", "an action picture that finally pleases the mind as well as the eye .", "the biggest screen thrill of the year .", "stars john travolta and nicolas cage and director john woo are all at the top of their game in face/off", "watching john travolta and nicolas cage square off and literally exchange roles brings back the old-fashioned pleasure of astutely judged movie star pairings in a major way .", "a dizzying , beautiful ride .", "... it is as elegantly made as it is violent , mating movie mayhem with bits of poetry , opera , psychology and the abstract .", "face/off works like a charm right on down the line thanks to brilliant , exhilarating performances from cage and travolta ...", "the biggest kick is watching two charismatic actors at the top of their form essentially play each other .", "face/off makes bad movies look worse and makes the making of good movies look like the most thrilling work in the world .", "crash , bang , woo !", "style overwhelms any hope of discerning story or acting through the haze of burning , crashing , bleeding and exploding ." ], "summary": "john travolta and nicolas cage play cat-and-mouse -lrb- and literally play each other -rrb- against a beautifully stylized backdrop of typically elegant , over-the-top john woo violence .", "id": "13172" }, { "movie": "north_country", "reviews": [ ".", "MOV does a good job in ratcheting up the tension and unfairness until the audience is brought to the breaking point .", "studded with wasted performances , what should have been an important addition to popular films about women 's rights winds up being the most insulting courtroom drama since ally mcbeal was put out of its misery .", "if there was ever any thought that perhaps whale rider was a fluke , MOV should erase all doubt .", "director niki caro -lrb- whale rider -rrb- - - can make an intelligent , involving movie about sexism in the workplace without it feeling merely like a screeching , heavy-handed polemic .", "MOV delivers an emotional wallop and a couple of performances worthy of recognition come award time .", "caro is both subtle and a deck-stacker .", "rewarding and sensitively rendered , the studio-produced MOV might revive a worthy subgenre last visited , in tarted-up fashion , by erin brockovich .", "MOV , a potent -lrb- if didactic -rrb- drama , loosely based on a landmark court case involving workplace sexual harassment .", "MOV ca n't help but be compared to such other women-against-the-system movies as norma rae , silkwood , and erin brockovich , though it easily holds its own with all three .", "... there 's little doubt that the movie would not come off even remotely as well as it ultimately does were it not for the effectiveness of the cast .", "os realizadores de terra fria se revelam bem mais repugnantes e perigosos do que os mineiros retratados em seu filme supostamente liberal .", "works as both deep focus on a critical historical moment , and a more intimate and sorrowful tale about growing up female in america .", "though tough and heavy-handed at times , MOV is engaging -- not one of those films about an important subject matter that you feel you should watch .", "would have you believe it 's no more complex than a playground quarrel between boys , girls , and cooties .", "while the performances are flawless , michael seitzman 's screenplay is embarrassingly sophomoric , so much so that the film 's denouement completely obliterates its feminist message .", "so `` inspirational '' it should mate with cinderella man and give birth to a litter of baby oscars", "the road to cinematic hell is paved with this sort of banal effort borne of bland good expectations .", "issue movie that blatantly examines power and sexual harassment in the workplace", "MOV is the unfortunately overly-dramatized hollywood version of a story that has a chance at being truly important and even uplifting , but thanks to extreme heavy-handedness , ends up being mostly shrill instead .", "an earnest yet powerful cautionary tale of scarred and strip-mined lives , and how they are restored .", "MOV may be a simplistic account of a hard-won battle , but it will have audiences cheering .", "theron 's truly raw and impassioned performance as josey - - ca n't save the film from its own gradually slowing pace and seriously compromised third act .", "niki caro , director of whale rider , has made a classic underdog-vs . - the-system story , rendered in the harsh blue-grays of a minnesota winter .", "it 's a memorable and touching portrayal of a certain kind of woman who is vital and determined instead of neurotic and victimized .", "in the end , the no-nonsense direction by caro -lrb- the new zealander who directed whale rider -rrb- , the terrific actors and the pitiless visuals by the great menges more than carry the day .", "what gives MOV urgency is that it 's about how a man comes to understand that it 's bad for him and for his community to deny his daughter privileges and prerogatives he 'd grant his son .", "she 's -lsb- caro -rsb- got a good story to tell -lrb- based , loosely , on a real-life case -rrb- , and a marvelous cast to help her tell it .", "director niki caro was a critical darling for her first feature , whale rider , and her hollywood debut confirms a legitimate talent .", "MOV is crisp , efficient , often familiar in form , but exceptional in some ways . it 's effective , for instance , in exploring how different women behave differently in the face of abuse .", "studio filmmaking can make an event as fantastical as an alien invasion look like reality , and it can make something that actually took place feel as fake as crocodile tears . which is what happens with MOV .", "often plays like a widescreen made-for-television movie , albeit a good one .", "a good-for-you movie that 's going through the motions .", "MOV has a sensational story , it 's just a crime the filmmakers elected to write the script with crayons .", "depicted with minimal clich\u00e9-rattling , niki caro 's MOV is one-sided enough to make clarence thomas stand up and shout - ` now that is some sexual harassment . '", "there are stretches where it builds nicely , but eventually it comes as close as any movie ever has to simply exploding right there on the screen .", "paints some of the most shocking and loathsome landscapes of sexual harassment conceivable", "MOV is one of those movies that has oscar-bait written all over it , and it 's worthy of the praise .", "at its best , MOV conveys what it 's like to be a small-town social pariah and to fear for yourself in the workplace .", "theron has once again deglamorized herself for a meaty dramatic role , and she gives a persuasive performance that surely will not be overlooked during the coming award season .", "it 's disappointing to see a movie start off as subtly and restrained as MOV only to get progressively more heavy-handed in its second hour .", "if you can take MOV as a movie , not a news report , you 'll find a moving work that explores sexual harassment with unusual candor .", "holding it all together is director caro , who seems to have a knack for immersing herself in different cultures and finding the pressure points that release a story 's power .", "it 's an interesting story , no question , but it 's good where it could have been great .", "despite its serious subject matter , MOV is a crowd-pleaser at heart .", "director niki caro whale rider and screenwriter michael seitzman have crafted an old-fashioned story about sexual harassment that delivers the obvious message ... without a shred of nuance or subtlety .", "in overdoing the theatrics and hammering the clich\u00e9s MOV does artistic injustice to its own important argument .", "MOV is in the tradition of workers-rights films like norma rae and silkwood in that it sends its message through a convincing character whose temerity and courage are accompanied by less heroic baggage .", "there 's nothing cool or dispassionate anywhere in this film . it radiates waves of heat .", "for all MOV 's blockbuster elements , the film remains a curiously uninvolving affair .", "a strong film with much to recommend it , even if we 've seen the same movie before", "it infuriated me . it broke my heart . it convinced me that caro , who 's from new zealand , is a strong , clear-voiced filmmaker , who can bend courtroom cliches to her will .", "in retrospect , the movie seems weaker than it did in the theater .", "if you want to see good performances and cinematography wasted in a mediocre movie , that would be MOV .", "MOV is without question a riveting and powerful film .", "minimizes the scope of -lsb- the real plaintiff 's -rsb- legal battles by placing them in a neatly tied package that resolves the way most courtroom dramas do .", "MOV is one of those movies that stir you up and make you mad , because it dramatizes practices you 've heard about but never really visualized .", "MOV is a relentlessly discomforting movie . nowhere does it let you settle into the lush cushions of a typical hollywood entertainment", "properly spare and earnest , which prevents it from becoming obnoxious oscar bait .", "a solid film that 's worth seeing in the theater , but the oscar buzz is questionable .", "if the whole of MOV had maintained the tensions and angst that were so well built up in part one , it could have been a pretty remarkable work .", "the one-sided , formulaic storyline and laughable courtroom histrionics are eclipsed by peripheral material involving theron 's brooding teenage son and penitent father .", "MOV centers on theron 's work , and she is truly wonderful start to finish .", "north veers south with movie clich\u00e9s during the courtroom climax , but otherwise it mines terrific dramatic territory in its quieter relationship scenes .", "elegantly filmed and intelligently written .", "despite charlize theron 's efforts to play more than a saintly martyr , the film 's director niki caro continually overstates the case .", "so melodramatically one-sided and shamelessly in search of oscar nominations that it accomplishes the colossal rarity of insulting both genders equally .", "victorian melodrama in feminist workduds .", "the narrative may not be exact in its details ... , but it is undoubtedly true to the spirit of the real events .", "enjoyable drama that 's impressively shot and features a strong cast but is ultimately hampered by a fatal weakness for courtroom clich\u00e9s .", "the similarities to erin brockovich are obvious , yet MOV plays like a glossy soap opera , despite strong performances from a superb cast .", "with `` MOV , '' theron and caro strongly suggest that `` monster '' and `` whale rider '' were n't one-offs .", "sexual harassment is generally a complex topic -lrb- see david mamet 's ` oleanna ' -rrb- , yet ` MOV ' presents much of its material in cut-and-dried , black-and-white simplicity .", "occasionally inspired but much more often didactic .", "MOV shows us that it 's never easy , but that one person really can make a difference .", "watchable and engrossing , even when it does exactly what you expect it to do .", "skillful filmmaking standing on a soapbox and pandering to the broadest audience possible .", "leave it to theron and her impassioned , earthy performance to single-handedly carry the film from the realm of lifetime network social propaganda to earnest drama .", "an emotionally potent story told with great dignity .", "feature films about sexual harassment are hardly a dime a dozen , so niki caro 's north country-gawky though it may be at times-comes as welcome .", "the film is at its best when putting viewers in the position of feeling the smart of the abuse as the women do -- moreover , its persistent and accumulative effect .", "MOV is about as subtle as a sledgehammer . it has a message ! and that message is simply this : men are pigs .", "niki caro is one of the brightest and best directors working .", "how do you handle a movie that 's suppose to be realistic , but resorts to such hoary and oft-parodied devices as the slow clap and the `` i 'm spartacus '' group solidarity stand ?", "despite its flaws , ` MOV ' delivers a story worth hearing , a documentation of profound unfairness and the need to challenge abusive behaviors .", "makes norma rae 's travails look like a walk in the park .", "MOV packs a solid familiar punch .", "too long , and too heavy-handed .", "... full of dynamic performances .", "an emotionally-charged drama that showcases another top-notch performance from theron", "there 's no polite way to say it : MOV goes bonkers -- inadvertently trivializing its own admirable agenda .", "single-mindedly and calculatedly devoted to conveying a relentless feeling of sexual terror , caro 's crusade of righteous indignation misrepresents the hostility of the world .", "given the battle 's enormous toll on the women 's physical and psychological health , it 's a perplexing irony that the movie ` inspired by ' the case suffers such a bizarre failure of nerve .", "makes a convincing case for sexual harassment laws and the power of a united front , but its structure front-loads the evidence in flashforwards , weakening its climax", "caro sneakily joins the ranks of academy-prestige with a politically-grounded horror film .", "hits like an emotional sledgehammer .", "-lsb- theron -rsb- is the wounded heart of the film and helps carry some of the less successful material of the film on her shoulders .", "theron anchors the film with a complex performance that balances josey 's strength and vulnerability , and successfully portrays her as a reluctant working-class hero .", "sometimes a story is so timeless that it deserves to be told again . such a story is `` MOV , '' a fictionalized account of events in the 1980s at a mine in the midwest .", "even if you side with caro 's humane message , you 'd be within your rights to object to her methods ... you can almost hear helen reddy singing `` i am woman '' in the background .", "for all its issue-related fist pumping , the movie is suffused with the tender and heartwarming story of a man coming to terms with the love for his only daughter .", "instead of articulating injustice or honestly portraying the legal system , MOV seems content with exploiting humiliation for effect .", "could become the classic text for a filmmaking class called ` crafting the message picture 101 . '", "MOV wins its case with powerful moments and exceptional performances .", "even with some quibbles , MOV is a relevant and important account of a landmark class action suit that changed the face of the country 's workforce .", "there is not a scene where the words `` submitted for your consideration '' do n't seem to be scrolling across the action in a bid to soften up academy voters", "charlize theron gives an excellently modulated performance as josey aimes .", "a compelling drama set in a 1989 minnesota mining community where the misogyny and chauvinism in the workplace will make your blood boil .", "a really good soap opera . ... the ending is both predicable and satisfying . expect many audiences to cheer .", "MOV does what it sets out to do : inspire and uplift .", "proving her remarkable versatility , it 's no light compliment to say theron 's performance surpasses her oscar-winning `` monster . ''", "amazingly powerful .", "an unusually taut film about misogyny that , for the most part , escapes the clich\u00e9s that often bog down the battle of the sexes .", "intriguing -lrb- true -rrb- story of a female iron miner who sues the company for ignoring sexual harassment .", "i 'm even willing to forgive this rousing drama its coy , flirty ending , if only because its heroine has the grace not to drive her pickup truck off a cliff .", "while caro has a graceful touch and MOV never really missteps , neither does it try anything new or entertaining .", "while the film showcases moments of enormous power , there is something missing ; perhaps it 's subtlety , or perhaps it 's the emotional connection the movie so desperately wants to make , but in the end , ca n't quite achieve .", "even when the film borders on melodrama in its final courtroom confrontations , ms. caro navigates the camera with skill .", "... succumbs to a number of oscar moments -- you know , the sort of grandstanding scenes that ... play beautifully as clips at an awards show .", "MOV is the most riled-up movie of the year .", "caro knows how to push viewers ' buttons , and she does so every chance she gets . the weather in the movie might be chilly , but she makes sure our blood is boiling .", "this is nuance-free moviemaking , a drama about mine-workers with barely a glimpse of what the work entails .", "presents to you a beautifully-painted , one-dimensional pi\u0144ata it knocks around for a couple of high-falutin ' hours until you 're showered in a welter of righteous candy .", "calls on men to stand up with women against attitudes they 've allowed for too long ... a well-crafted , often powerful film that usually refuses to follow hollywood 's script .", "you can not help being stirred by the reach and depth , the constant rebuffs to sloppiness , of a strong ensemble .", "contrived fantasy . only in hollywood could harrelson get theron 's nemesis to recant his inadmissably irrelevant tale on the stand with such meager questioning .", "in spite of theron 's excellent , impassioned performance , `` MOV '' nevertheless tends to go south .", "while its message is undeniably important , it 's also so obvious that the film does n't have any real resonance .", "` MOV ' could be used in a sensitivity training course .", "it weakens the film 's case to have the villains portrayed so one-dimensionally ...", "the performances enhance -lrb- niki -rrb- caro 's david-versus-goliath material .", "... my feminist soul is taking a beating since - damn it - it did n't work as a movie .", "the film , revisiting social injustice , is not unpredictable . but , it is a worthy effort in its updated revival of `` norma rae . ''", "despite its good intentions and some very strong acting , ` MOV ' proves a frustratingly unsatisfying destination .", "... feels simplistically manufactured and manipulative ... caro is never able to elevate MOV beyond the pedestrian confines of a melancholy lifetime tv movie", "director niki caro deftly intercuts josey 's story with the anita hill-clarence thomas hearings , a smart , subtle move to tie in the things all women have had to go through .", "overall MOV is too self-consciously scaled as an anthem for the human spirit . we can spot where this movie is headed right from the beginning .", "quick , someone feed this movie some a.d.d. medication .", "a wobbly fiction about a real pioneering sex-discrimination case , MOV is an unabashed vehicle for its modestly de-glammed star , charlize theron .", "MOV is powerful and then some .", "MOV is a `` message movie '' with a target so big that it 's impossible to miss , which is part of the trouble .", "charlize theron gives an intelligent and honest performance as a woman miner in the emotionally powerful MOV .", "director niki caro , whose whale rider demonstrated a gift for capturing the essence of a unique place , does it again with MOV .", "essentially a shrewdly crafted soap opera .", "instead of sticking to the undeniably moving facts , this movie veers off into distracting and soapy subplots .", "people in the film biz have been calling this one erin brockovich goes to fargo all along , but that is n't quite fair . it 's norma rae goes to fargo .", "theron 's acting goes beyond cosmetics as she once again gets into the head of the unchaste heroine she portrays and gives a winning performance .", "as much as the movie means well , it does n't trust viewers to keep up .", "... before anybody goes off on theron uglifying herself again to win an oscar , it should be pointed out that the rural trash look is not necessary unattractive to many of us .", "MOV works as a portrayal of social injustice , yet it also works as a compelling character portrait . one of the best and most powerful pictures of the year .", "MOV has a ton of powerful moments , so it is an odd choice that it falls back on the ` based in fact ' element .", "-lrb- charlize -rrb- theron 's josey does n't quite have the dramatic starch of aileen , the man-hating hooker of monster . it has more nuance , though .", "MOV is more than an award trolling piece - it 's a heartfelt gem steered by threon and mcdormand that takes sevral true tales to create a helluav drama !", "a realistic , emotionally resonant film made for grown-up audiences in a time when most theatrical releases are aimed at the teen demographic .", "though the dirt and grime in MOV are artfully applied , it 's purely cosmetic and skin-deep .", "some of the dramatics are almost overkill , but it will stir you up and you ca n't deny the powerful performances of charlize theron and richard jenkins .", "too bad theron won an oscar for a weak film like monster , in which she was splashy , as her part in MOV is far more impressive and deserving of oscar" ], "summary": "though sometimes melodramatic and formulaic , MOV is nonetheless a rousing , powerful story of courage and humanity .", "id": "8841" }, { "movie": "we_are_what_we_are_2013", "reviews": [ "worth a look for horror fans possessing the patience required to process its heady themes . for those brave souls , the reward is a film with the power not only to get under your skin , but to prompt deep discussion about the pitfalls of human nature .", "mickle 's script , co-written by `` stake land '' star nick damici , could have used some tightening . ride it out . there 's a demented climax waiting on the other side .", "the original was nothing special , but at least it had a sense of humor and a modicum of social insight .", "an intelligent , surprisingly mature gothic drama where the human capacity for inhumanity grabs us by our collective throats with such realism that this story could have been gleaned from the front pages of local newspapers .", "a superb grief-soaked horror set in a desperated , godless universe , wawwa is unnverving and moving in equal measures , easily eclipsing the original .", "a crunching , visceral transplant for this cannibal tale from its urban mexican setting to an american milieu .", "if , in the end , it does n't really work , there 's still plenty to admire in the gothic exploration of the timeless conflict between family tradition and modernity .", "mickle never seems in a hurry , so there is time to take note of the detail . `` we are '' is rich in that regard .", "a shrug of a movie .", "mickle prizes credible characterisation above everything else , and casts extremely good actors , who succeed in making the parker clan feel both frail and somehow stuck out of time , like freak survivors from the 19th century .", "an atmospheric cannibalism horror featuring an impressive performance by julia garner , but it 's let down by a slow first act , weak dialogue and an unsuitable score .", "mickle has fashioned a melancholy american gothic tale set deep among bleak , misty mountains .", "a rare example of a remake that is as good as , if not better , than the original .", "stupendously dull : dull with that blend of overloaded effect and under-supplied affect that bad horror alone truly offers .", "even though this is an extremely well-made film , it 's difficult to know who will enjoy it , as it 's far too arty for horror genre fans and much too grisly for arthouse moviegoers .", "this social-realist take on the cannibal sub-genre makes for a surprising lyrical and quietly profound piece of filmmaking .", "who can resist a good cannibal movie ?", "another pointless remake .", "and sometimes we are who we eat .", "remakes may get a lot of stick in hollywood , as filmmakers can be accused of being somewhat lazy and uncreative in that regard .", "a provocative film about the horrors we can find within the usual comforts of family and tradition .", "another welcome entry in the ongoing revival of horror movies that rely on character and setting rather than shock and gore to chill audiences to the marrow .", "mickle and co-writer nick damici give themselves plenty of time to tease out their themes and ladle on the tension .", "jim mickle 's savvy re-imagining of the 2010 mexican art-house horror marks a quantum leap forward in maturity and style for the stake land director .", "an ambitious -lrb- if somewhat uneven -rrb- slice of downbeat american gothic which interweaves grim melancholia with pointed satire , doomy portent and moments of gnawing revulsion .", "some of the film is gruesome in the extreme but there is always lyricism and pathos alongside the bloodletting .", "MOV pits the ideas of personal choice against the influence of our upbringing in a story that simmers slowly until coming to an explosive boil , overflowing with savage brutality .", "MOV is just a great yarn , well-acted , elegantly shot and put together cleverly so that even its more visceral delights feel well-earned .", "the movie saves most of its modest number of jolts for its last quarter or so , which makes them all the more intense . they stick in your craw - and be warned , they 're not for the squeamish .", "like all good horror stories mickle 's film is really about something else , and the two female leads give terrific performances as cloistered teenagers struggling to come to terms with their place in their world .", "a horror film that takes considerable risks and generally makes them work .", "despite the film 's aqueous motifs of rain , showers , floods and tears , here in the end blood runs thicker than water .", "the film looks picturesque as can be , is well-acted , and very smartly plotted .", "it 's all a little silly , but mr. mickle 's restrained gravity stifles the impulse to laugh .", "this will , without question , be one of the best horror films of 2013 .", "the cast is uniformly excellent -- including an extended cameo by top gun 's kelly mcgillis , qt regular michael parks , and genre director larry fessenden -- and is buoyed by a particularly unobtrusive yet unsettling score from jeff grace and darren morris .", "in MOV , an americanized , more methodically plotted version of the 2010 mexican shocker ... jim mickle really brings the goods .", "a -lsb- horror -rsb- film where ambiance , glossy imagery and performance are more effective than the splatter .", "a rich , dark horror movie with a pervasive atmosphere of dread and corruption .", "plays less like a contemporary horror film than an increasingly gruesome drama , building to a climax-completely original to this version-where the movie 's core themes are expressed through grotesque imagery .", "it is n't until the ending , which turns the squirm amplifier up to 11 and exceeded even my horrific expectations , that we finally see the story 's potential realized .", "works as not only a compliment to the original , but also as an impressive complement .", "an unusually thoughtful , even compassionate , and well-done horror tale .", "one of the best american horror films of the year .", "a family implodes with a biting commentary on patriarchy .", "it 's about transformation and transgression , and , when all 's said and done , it 's about family .", "both an excellent choice for a movie and a lousy choice for dinner and a movie .", "it 's really a movie about family and obligation , and that 's what makes it scary .", "barely mediocre but at least worth the watch for the finale , alone .", "genre fans wanting more gore and less fancy atmospherics will have their gratification delayed but certainly not denied .", "if nothing else , director jim mickle should be commended for his subversive attempt to turn his slow-burn cannibal horror flick into a moody meditation on matriarchal power and the uncompromising demands of tradition .", "this existential disquiet and melancholy prove welcome antidotes to the tiresome ` look ! surprise ! ' brand of horror that 's currently in vogue .", "the movie stays elegantly restrained just long enough for the true horror of what they 're doing to sink in .", "we 're starved for adult horror that 's this mature and sure-footed , and when it does come along , we have to sing its praises out loud . this is a wonderful , riveting , unsettling film .", "MOV is a film that ought to feel like an amusement park terror ride , but instead comes off as a poor attempt at fine art .", "`` MOV '' is such a patient , trusting film it may take you a while to figure out it 's a horror film .", "MOV is built around sloppy yet fantastic kills with a fairly satisfying explanation for everything , but it jerks the viewer around with awkward jumps in violence and its overbearing tepidness shouts over everything else in the film .", "the horror thriller MOV earns its chills gradually , turning the knob on our nerves so imperceptibly that you may not notice until , by the bloody conclusion , you 're prying your fingernails from the armrests .", "a campy and sometimes elegant american gothic horror story .", "at 72 , parks turns in one of the most tender performances of his career - before reminding us , in the end , that he 's still a guy who can sit across a table and make you tremble in fear with a stony gaze .", "MOV does n't waste time with cheap scares . mickle keeps his story on a steady , slow simmer , transporting us minute by minute into the very heart of dread .", "mickle and damici have come up with a couple of very imaginative details to adorn their tale , but in the end the story itself feels preordained , everything slowly unfurling exactly how you 'd expect", "MOV will satiate your hunger for palpable suspense , horror and intrigue . it 's one of most effectively terrifying remakes in years .", "there 's some fun to be had , as long as your idea of fun includes being grossed out .", "stylishly macabre .", "it 's a sinister , wistful and even sad portrait of one family that has followed the insanity and bloodthirstiness of american history into a dark corridor with no exit .", "despite the occasional failure of the film to let the atmosphere and subtle performances stand unadorned , MOV is an impressive entry from director mickle .", "MOV has elevated the horror genre into first-class moviemaking .", "this deliberately paced remake of the superior 2010 mexican film of the same name has some stylish atmospheric touches , although it could use more of the twisted sense of humor it only flashes in spurts .", "this looks like a horror movie that terrence malick might have made -- assuming that malick went off the deep end .", "outside of its cracked psychology -lrb- well conveyed by papa bill sage -rrb- , MOV is horror leftovers , neither inedible nor piping hot .", "jim mickle plays the scenario deadly straight and unintentionally exposes all of its attendant absurdities , leaving the cast stranded .", "a refreshingly mature genre entry that plants queasy dread and unleashes a good dose of scares , tempering its gruesome bloodshed by wrapping it in serious-mindedness .", "for horror fans who prefer their terrors served cold , this is a tense , unsettling experience that offers very little gore but nonetheless knows how to turn the stomach .", "there are some terrific performances in this film , most notably from childers and garner , who move seamlessly from wide-eyed naivete to fierce protectiveness . and man , is this a gorgeous , well-put together film .", "genre buffs will dig in with gusto .", "MOV is a re-make that succeeds superbly while remaining true to the strange and sad intimately grotesque spirit of the original .", "the film is stunningly beautiful , and ryan samul 's work here as cinematographer is impressive and overwhelming throughout .", "the doom , the gloom , and the horrific truth kept just out of the audience 's reach make the build up in MOV a potent motion picture , and mickle films it with genuine class and moderation .", "MOV devours expectations even as it satisfies the best of them .", "`` MOV '' is a first-rate example of good storytelling and well-timed - while not excessive - gore .", "one of the more remarkable horror films of late-one that does not rely on sudden shocks or outrageous gore to get under the skin of its viewers ." ], "summary": "a compelling story cleverly told , MOV quenches horror buffs ' thirst for gore while serving up serious-minded filmmaking and solid acting .", "id": "771325072" }, { "movie": "joan-rivers-a-piece-of-work", "reviews": [ "the portrait that emerges is of a woman who is vain , anxious , profane , reckless , honest and frequently brilliant .", "you really do get the sense that she is tuning out the camera half the time and you 're getting honest glimpses of everything .", "joan rivers : a piece of work is -lsb- a -rsb- testament to the enduring resilience and indefatigable wit of its subject . age can not wither her , nor botox stale her infinite hilarity .", "joan rivers : a piece of work is one of the smarter , more unexpectedly touching documentaries of the year , and i recommend it to you whether you love rivers or loathe the very thought of her . how is this even possible ?", "stern and sundberg made the devil came on horseback -lrb- about the massacres in darfur -rrb- and the trials of darryl hunt -lrb- about a wrongful incarceration nightmare -rrb- , and they have a fine eye for detail .", "rivers comes across as a consummate professional but also a genuine person , ruthlessly honest about her life decisions and utterly devoid of self-pity .", "a wonderful microcosm of the peaks and valleys of life in showbiz , and a truly surprising film that may turn some viewers ' hatred of rivers into respect , if not fondness .", "she remains one of the funniest , dirtiest , most daring and transgressive of stand-up comics , and she has n't missed a beat .", "an entertaining and lively portrait of a performer whose contribution to comedy is often , and probably unfairly , overlooked", "revelations that the 75-year-old comic is needy , hard-driving , and relentlessly self-flagellating are n't all that surprising .", "i had no idea how hard she works and how funny she is . show business may be easy for some people , but it is tough for joan rivers .", "... a well made , sporadically fascinating documentary ...", "dying this past september , rivers failed in her longevity goal , but has left a legacy of unforgettable comedy that was never afraid to piss people off even as they howled till their sides split .", "it 's interesting , it 's funny , it 's heartfelt , it 's heartbreaking , and it 's dirty . everything rivers wants to be known for .", "this delicious documentary did teach me about one of joan 's most important assets , and that 's her dirty , dirty mouth .", "it 's amazing to look into her world and see the chaos in which she inhabits", "rivers ' story is an inspiration , regardless of your background . if there is anyone who is aspiring to be in the entertainment industry , this is the doc to watch . joan rivers ' life is the blueprint for any artist , comedienne , or actor .", "laugh clown , laugh . even though your heart is breaking ...", "this is a woman who 's taken any number of private and public punches and keeps on going . the portrait here is neither flattering nor unsympathetic .", "-lsb- a -rsb- sad , startling exploration of the vagaries of fame , the insecurities of celebrity , and the realities behind the typical ` but it 's just a joke ' excuses that prop up cheap , vulgar humor .", "reflective , insightful and exhilarating , the filmmakers reveal rivers ' inherent vulnerability and dependence on the approval of others .", "acting is about honesty , and there 's something evasive about both this film and its subject .", "one of the most depressing films ever made .", "yes , there are moments of pathos and glimpses into the sadness of rivers ' life , but they 're all but obliterated by the comedy .", "the film 's unacknowledged true storyline is the coarsening and cheapening of popular show business itself .", "more or less what you 'd expect : charitable , shrill , redundant , hit-and-miss funny .", "the audience will feel like a fly on the wall in a no-holds-barred approach in which no topic is off limits . the filmmakers condensed more than a year of footage into 84 fascinating minutes ...", "joan rivers the comedian can be an acquired taste . it gets old hearing her asking celebrities on the red carpet `` who are you wearing ? '' joan rivers the human being , however , is a fascinating person to follow .", "the key word here is `` work . '' if she is n't out there making somebody laugh , rivers feels she no longer exists .", "welcome to the on-screen psychoanalysis of joan rivers , of which she seems equal parts willing participant and antagonist .", "the undeniably fascinating and entertaining documentary that looks at the audacious entertainer in the seventy-fifth year of her life .", "a piece of work does a solid job of deepening our understanding of rivers , but its accomplishments pretty much end there .", "-lrb- o -rrb- ne of only a handful of women who ever got away with saying the types of things she says on stage . with that comes the insecurities all comedians know , plus aggressive self-pity . rivers is n't easy to like , and she 's proud of it .", "riveting doc dishes the dirt on the legendary queen of comedy", "rivers comes across as someone much more complex and vulnerable than her abrasive `` can we talk ? '' persona . there 's a real woman under there , and she 's pretty great .", "a compulsively watchable look at rivers , show business and the price one pays to try to continue succeeding in it .", "the smart , funny and occasionally foul-mouthed documentary feature shows what rivers has gone through in both her personal and professional life to get to this point .", "a funny and touching look at the self-crowned queen of comedy .", "-lsb- her -rsb- resolute raging at the twilight is what humanizes rivers and gives ricki stern and anne sundberg 's film heart and potency .", "an entirely sympathetic portrait of the artist at an advancing age .", "stern and sundberg definitely fulfill the prime directive of every celebrity documentary , which is making a famous person -- especially one the audience `` knows '' and has strong feelings about -- seem recognizably human .", "the results are a truly original doc and one of the year 's best -- heartfelt and funny and thoroughly entertaining .", "inspiring , sobering and very funny .", "a piece of work is funny , heartbreaking , and casually profound about the insatiable need for validation and approval that fuels so much stand-up comedy .", "you do n't get winsomeness , innocence and cuddle-me charm . nobody will ever tap her to play doris day . but you do get one unique dame with a love she does n't sell cheap , and a hidden heart bigger than her botox budget .", "it 's easy to think of comics , especially time-tested ones like rivers , as mechanical laugh-generators . stern and sundberg allow her to reveal the deep-rooted humanity of those ever-present quips , and the effect is humbling .", "she 's a teller of hilarious gutbucket truths as surely as lenny bruce and richard pryor ever were . yet while they were consumed by their demons , rivers is just the opposite . letting her demons run wild is what saves her , every day .", "nothing -- not even daughter melissa 's assessment of all comedians as `` damaged '' -- validates this worshipful portrait of craven showbiz .", "i know people who love her and people who hate her . but , no matter how you feel , after seeing joan rivers - a piece of work , you ca n't help but admire her .", "for all the frenzied activity , joan rivers is less informative dish than infomercializing clich\u00e9 .", "if you think it 's going to be as hilarious as a joan rivers standup routine , you 're wrong . the self-mocking jokes are funny , but almost make you feel guilty for laughing .", "this behind the scenes , behind the makeup , behind the plastic surgery documentary catches rivers hard at work , ridiculously hard at work .", "unvarnished documentary .", "the new documentary on joan rivers is so in your face , so fraught with harrowing , oversized personal stuff , you might want to get a theatre seat a couple of rows behind where you normally sit , to safely take it all in .", "i laughed , i cried and i was inspired . delivering far more than you expect , this knock-out doco spits out the essence of joan rivers , who admits she is only truly happy when she 's on stage", "if you want an insight into human nature , stand up comedy and stand up comedians are a great looking glass , as long as you 're prepared for all that pain . all great comedy is cruel , and joan rivers does cruel really well", "this is a fiercely intelligent , maniacally driven , crushingly funny comedian who comes across as less a human being than a sentient career .", "`` a piece of work '' displays a comedian who is much savvier , much more vulnerable and frankly much funnier than we usually see on the small screen .", "... you may not come away from ricki stern and annie sundberg 's -lrb- blisteringly funny -rrb- chronicle of a year in the life of the comedian ... liking joan rivers , much less understanding her , but by gosh this movie is going to force you to respect her .", "the film shows that she is vulnerable , professionally calculating and , except for the people who work for her , alone .", "the comedienne 's wholehearted embrace of the project gives it an intimate feel , sprinkled with small moments and revelations that shed a new , compelling light on the icon .", "emphasizes the dog-eat-dog nature of show biz ... -lsb- but fails -rsb- to illuminate , or apparently even investigate , the early source of its subject 's hungry void .", "a gut-bustingly funny , endearing and unflinchingly honest documentary that finds just the right balance between entertaining the audience and provoking them intellectually as well as emotionally .", "a sobering deconstruction of an enduring showbiz career by an introspective icon whose been at it non-stop since ' 66 .", "a portrait of passive-aggressiveness writ huge % u2014river 's too cynical , too jaded for a hagiography", "a fairly candid portrait of a workaholic driven by insecurity , resentment and fear .", "this is a smart , sharp woman with a full life under her 20-year-old skin . go ahead and make fun of her -- just try harder .", "to their credit , the filmmakers do n't try to make her look good , and while they omit some of her uglier routines , they do n't -lrb- perhaps ca n't -rrb- ask you to love her . that 's a wise move .", "we get a superb tour of joan rivers ' world , in which there 's death and then there 's life ... which is n't worth a single breath if you ca n't stand up and deliver .", "joan rivers : a piece of work compellingly presents a strong woman with no shortage of anger , resentment and regrets -- but not an ounce of self-pity .", "if you think you know who joan rivers is , stern & sundberg will give you a different perception . or two . maybe three .", "doc proves that j.r. is still one of the funniest comedians we 've got .", "here is an honest portrait of a workaholic performer and her bumpy but long career ...", "this rather fine documentary reminds us that , yep , even those `` old '' celebrities we do n't have much use for anymore are actual people .", "what is most surprising is not the dilligence with which sundberg and stern set about following the course of rivers through a year of her life - although that is certainly in evidence - but how incredibly welcoming she is to their scrutiny", "doc provides plenty of laughs while proving there 's more to rivers than plastic surgery jokes and red-carpet chatter .", "co-directors ricki stern and annie sundberg observe a year in the life of a woman who trailblazed for today 's female comics and remains as driven , hard-working and career-focused as ever .", "this is a thoroughly exhilarating , thoroughly depressing portrait of the agony and ecstasy of celebrity .", "there 's plenty to laugh at in stern and sundberg 's picture , both in the footage of rivers on stage and in front of the filmmakers ' camera .", "it 's one of the best documentaries ever made about show business , about what it really consists of and what it demands .", "if this ` piece of work ' is more workmanlike than revelatory , it 's an engaging portrait of a feisty lady .", "`` oh grow up , '' rivers used to snap . you wonder if she ever will .", "joan rivers is a comic force of nature , and this no-bull documentary offers a profanely hilarious peek into the 75th year of her life , on the road and off . fasten your seat belts .", "a piece of work is about an individual and about a career , but it 's also about the nature of work , and about our fears that when the work stops coming in , we 've outlived our usefulness .", "she is by turns blue , bitter , hilarious , unbroken ; a hollywood-style portrait in infinite ambition . in that role , rivers is unforgettable .", "who would have guessed that joan rivers : a piece of work would turn out to be a stirring portrait of indomitability ?", "the strength of stern and sundberg 's film is that they let her bomb sometimes . rivers certainly can be wickedly funny , but not always , as anyone who has watched her over the years knows .", "watchable and fascinating", "... had me laughing uncontrollably .", "a witty , inspiring portrait of a life in constant reinvention .", "joan rivers : a piece of work , a hilarious and unsettling look at the rewards and costs of compulsive celebrity , shows rivers in all her multifaceted glory .", "i 'm neither a fan nor a nonfan , but i found her fascinating .", "by the end of stern and sundberg 's portrait , you feel a great fondness for this tough cookie , who says she plans for her career to outlast george burns ' -- who was still working in his mid-90s .", "a piece of work is not about revelation or expos\u00e9 . it is , instead , about joan rivers ' business .", "the insecurities that seem to feed rivers 's often angry humor -- and that have left her face looking like a mask frozen in horror -- are left unexamined .", "it 's like a deluxe episode of kathy griffin 's reality show my life on the d-list and it 's just as galvanizing and dishy .", "a fascinating , enlightening look at the dark side of show business and the issues that come with being a part of it for decades .", "were james brown still with us , he 'd have to at least share his `` hardest working man in showbiz '' honors with rivers .", "it 's one of the best movies ever made about the brutal and unforgiving world of show business , and what it takes to survive in it for decades ." ], "summary": "penetrating rivers ' coarse image , this compelling documentary offers an honest , behind-the-scenes look at her career -- and at show business in general .", "id": "770859300" }, { "movie": "teeth", "reviews": [ "given how thoroughly all the subtext spells out the message , then , it seems unnecessary to make the actual text so raw , grotesque and graphic . granted , a horror movie about vagina dentata was probably never destined to be tasteful , but lichtenstein 's comp", "star jess weixler , exerting the command and persona of a young meryl streep , grants enough earnest innocence that instead of fearing dawn , you fear for her .", "writer/director mitchell lichtenstein tosses in thematic elements of incest and pedophilia as so much narrative hamburger helper , but by then the movie has already worn out its welcome .", "seriously dude , no means no .", "you 'll have to forgive the pun , but it simply lacks bite .", "a well crafted clashing of sub-genres and themes that works to its advantage , making it an instant cult classic ...", "a witty satire that explores the state of the -lrb- female -rrb- body politic , spread-eagled between the puritanical and the priapic in a culturally confused america .", "it all works well enough that i wish it had been less of a cartoon .", "lichtenstein has a lot of ambitious ideas for his debut film but lacks the skills to pull any of them off", "given how thoroughly all the subtext spells out the message , then , it seems unnecessary to make the actual text so raw , grotesque and graphic .", "whether you view it as a primordial image from the collective unconscious or a practical warning against promiscuity , vagina dentata makes an indubitably memorable impression -- and an ideal premise for a tongue-in-cheek teen horror movie .", "dawn may be the heroine of MOV , but in the end the movie is still a little afraid of her .", "the tone of the film wavers between satire and horror-comedy , but that does n't diminish the entertainment value of what plays like a tongue in cheek celebration of a woman who turns her imperfection into empowerment", "this is an incredibly unique , dark , smart , and humorous story of a woman discovering what she is capable of .", "it 's the stuff of primal phobia and nightmare , and , by presenting it in a way that makes us laugh as well as scream , MOV actually takes it easy on us , no matter how explicit its presentation may be .", "MOV is both different enough from the usual teen trash to earn itself distinction and bold enough to go where other horrors would n't dare venture .", "as amateurishly made as it is , MOV runs on a kind of angry distrust toward boys .", "i 'm not sure i 've ever seen rape , incest or abuse dealt with so vapidly .", "while probably too lurid and graphic for the mainstream 's tastes , it 's one of those films that has a genuine shot at acquiring cult classic status .", "we have n't had a good vagina dentata movie in theaters lately , so it 's a pleasure to see MOV filling that particular need with such obvious relish and style .", "it 's like a punch in the face .", "writer-director mitchell lichtenstein 's low-budget horror film is ... more satirical than scary ... however , he ultimately delivers the gory goods .", "MOV is a unique hybrid of black comedy and horror movie send-up that is great good fun .", "i 'm of the opinion that audacity is something to be admired in today 's cinematic world , and MOV has audacity to spare .", "after dawn comes to understand her remarkable genital gift , it 's pretty much one can-you-top-this gross-out scene after another .", "ultimately , MOV will probably never become the late night cult film it aspires to be , but it does achieve an overwhelming sense of castration anxiety", "writer-director mitchell lichtenstein is onto something really fresh in his feature debut , flipping a graphic warning for men into an empowering fable for women .", "there 's no scarier myth for males , and -lsb- director -rsb- lichtenstein turns various images of emasculation into a black comedy that flirts , fairly tediously , with pornography .", "the film 's mix of cheap gags , macabre coming-of-age story , social satire and cronenbergian body horror is apparently meant to gel into black comedy , but it never quite does .", "the picture is unfocused and indistinct ; there 's a noncommittal quality to the filmmaking . MOV hinges on one strong idea but does n't know quite where to take it , wobbling awkwardly between going for laughs and making its semi-delineated points .", "actor turned writer-director mitchell lichtenstein has bitten into one of the oldest myths in human folklore with MOV , an imaginatively demented horror-comedy .", "any movie about a girl with an actual vagina dentata had better be either very scary or very funny -- or , preferably , both . unfortunately , `` MOV '' ca n't decide what it wants to be .", "writer-director mitchell lichtenstein 's pop culturally aware blend of horror , comedy , teen exploitation and '50s monster movies comes off like an unholy alliance between john waters and todd haynes .", "a feminist horror movie , an updated version of old-fashioned exploitation that lobs a few gentle barbs at the way we are now .", "the gratuitous and often overly garish mayhem is made more palatable by the assured comedic turn by weixler .", "campy , shameless and sophisticated , lichtenstein 's debut is gutsy and original .", "lichtenstein makes an impressive debut as director of a provocative coming-of-age horror tale , inspired by the vagina dentate mythology ; in the lead , the beautiful weixler gives a striking perfromance .", "light-hearted , yet subversive , displaying a surprisingly wicked bite ... literally .", "MOV is a solid first effort that makes you extremely curious about the filmmaker 's next project .", "much like dawn 's ill-fated gyno visit , a peek beneath the folds of this clever and surprisingly amusing little horror comedy holds a few surprises for curious gay viewers .", "-lsb- keeps -rsb- the viewer entertained with a mix of suspense and humor , but not exactly ` date night ' material , because it 's doubtful anyone will be having sex right after seeing it .", "extremely funny , very clever and still packs some cover-your-face bloody thrills that top any saw or hostel movie .", "-lsb- the -rsb- castration scenes are n't nearly as excruciating as his awkward timing and worse-than-obvious pacing .", "every time the scary music kicks in and another dumb male clutches his crotch , the theater bursts into uncertain giggles like a needed release", "MOV 's whirling moral compass actually provides the perfect metaphor for the teenage sexual urge in postpubescent overdrive .", "MOV bites off more than it can chew .", "MOV works so well and is so original for at least the first half that it makes the slight fumble near the end zone forgivable .", "daring , funny and unabashedly indie , MOV is an original and ingenious creation . grab a bunch of men and go see it , just make sure they have enough room to cross their legs .", "that the movie manages to successfully transcend shock value is probably its greatest accomplishment .", "it 's definitely not for aunt minnie , but cult movie mavens will appreciate director mitchell lichtenstein 's willingness to push the boundaries of bad taste .", "in one of the great light bulb ideas that could only happen in association with making movies , along comes MOV to bite us hard . if you think the rhetorical illustration of the events defy logic , just wait to actually sink your own MOV into it .", "lichtenstein 's low-budget effort concentrates on black comedy ... with the gore effects timed perfectly", "the film 's first half contains a series of sharply satirical scenes .", "a smart and convincing film with a lot to say about the power of female sexuality and the cultural forces that try to stifle it .", "debuting director mitchell -lrb- son of roy -rrb- litchtenstein creates a lot of dread but not a consistent tone .", "dawn grits her MOV .", "teenage horror-movie spoof , john waters parody , no nukes protest movie : mitchell lichtenstein 's clever , crude comedy , MOV is all these and more .", "... a fun exploration of feminine sexual power seen through the twisted kaleidoscope lens of a horror-comedy .", "a game , disarming lead performance from jess weixler , who won a jury acting prize at sundance , goes some way toward making palatable this mish-mash .", "lichtenstein takes the myth of vagina dentata and gives it a kitsch horror/comedy makeover , to surprisingly smart and sassy effect .", "a spoof of b-movie monster flicks , a satire of modern-day puritan ethics , and a tongue-in-cheek female-empowerment story .", "a tongue-in-cheek amusing movie -- but being literally tongue-in-cheek can sometimes be dangerous .", "though good for a few laughs , the one-note MOV is just another trite rape-revenge fantasy .", "it 's safe to say that he -lsb- writer/director mitchell lichtenstein -rsb- has made the boldest debut of this admittedly young year .", "in MOV , mitchell lichtenstein makes the old v.d. the centerpiece of a gory female-revenge black comedy .", "a twisted inversion of the standard rampaging murderer story .", "credit writer-director mitchell lichtenstein with making a first feature that every man in america will watch with his legs crossed ." ], "summary": "smart , original , and horrifically funny , MOV puts a fresh feminist spin on horror movie tropes .", "id": "528392454" }, { "movie": "winnebago-man", "reviews": [ "what makes the film so enjoyable is how it keeps defying expectations in its survey of the rough edges , sharp mind and iconoclastic personality ...", "when the director laments , `` i feel like i 've stepped into the MOV outtakes , '' we can only concur .", "MOV , which appears to be notably less staged than other documentaries of this ilk , does n't relentlessly explore all the corners of rebney 's life -- which makes him an even more fascinating subject .", "it is n't perfect , but hell , neither was the winnebago .", "a hilarious film .", "absorbing and thought-provoking .", "the film is less about jack , his reputation and performance , than it is about itself . real or not .", "filmmaker ben steinbauer went searching for the man behind the rants . against all odds , rebney manages to emerge with his dignity intact .", "perhaps the most disturbing issue raised in ben steinbauer 's fascinating and often hilarious MOV has to do with the internet 's awesome ability to reduce complex and apparently dangerous behaviour to the level of banal spectacle .", "steinbauer does n't shy away from the moral queasiness of that arrangement , and that 's what gives MOV a lot of its appeal -- that tension between the considerable laughter it provokes and the questions raised about that laughter .", "a shrewd , entertaining , fascinating and surprisingly touching documentary .", "a fun little addendum to a profanity-laden chapter in new media history .", "an earnest and occasionally poignant attempt to penetrate rebney 's potent man-on-fire image and explore the impact of becoming an internet sideshow .", "turns from a simple idea into a complex look at cultural iconography and public perception", "entertaining , but steinbauer never really seems to work up either a cogent thesis statement or tack of inquiry -- his work bears the marks of a serial noodler .", "an often funny and finally poignant documentary about the bizarre nature of modern fame -lrb- indeed , infamy -rrb- and the healing powers of community , human connection , and , yes , laughter .", "both the man and the film had reached outcomes that no one could have foreseen .", "this strange , darkly funny documentary investigates the story of jack rebney , a winnebago salesman who achieved notoriety based on outtakes of a corporate video he shot in the 1980s .", "hilarious .", "MOV becomes a much more interesting and troubling film when rebney , a former journalist , demands to reclaim control of his messaging .", "surprisingly , steinbauer finds a way to make sense of the competing agendas and feelings expressed throughout MOV .", "the movie becomes oddly deep and even poignant .", "although we find out a lot about this virtual hermit and develop an admiration for his cantankerous principles , the movie leaves some questions unanswered .", "the film lacks a point of view , but it sure establishes the catharsis in watching a guy speak his mind with brutal , $ # & * # & % honesty at all times .", "there is a genuine , human sympathy for his frustration and lashing out that goes along with the laughter .", "brilliantly encapsulates the transformative power of the online video boom .", "-lsb- director ben steinbauer 's -rsb- blend of exploitation and sincerity proves remarkably efficient , and helps illustrate how new media have democratized the arts .", "-lsb- a -rsb- frustrating , borderline exploitative , madly entertaining documentary .", "good fortune smiled on this film , but the feeling persists : this triumph belongs to rebney , not steinbauer .", "i know this film sort of deals on a fine line of humiliation and admiration , but i thought it pulled it off .", "i think this is a disingenuous and shallow movie about a fairly interesting guy .", "... a terrific character study . it also airs provocative meditations on the ramifications of living our lives via media . steinbauer accomplishes both in this thoroughly entertaining feature debut .", "what 's next , a full-length documentary about the life and times of chris ` leave britney alone ' crocker ?", "the age of youtube is an unforgiving one .", "steinbauer is as significant a character as his subject , and MOV emerges as a documentary as much about rebney as the making of the film itself .", "the film ends with a semi-touching reaffirmation that everybody 's in showbiz .", "do n't laugh too hard at those youtube ` fools . ' that 's you and me , do n't forget .", "a hilarious and surprisingly touching profile of a fascinating character .", "the filmmaker never makes it about him % u2014 it 's clear throughout that he 's onscreen because that 's the most direct way to tell this story , and he wants nothing more than to serve as a conduit between what he sees and what he wants us to see . you do n't", "you 'd think angry MOV , jack rebney , was garbo herself , the way one callow filmmaker and legions of youtube watchers carry on about this basically decent , very serious loner of a man , who inadvertently become a viral video star .", "adulation -- even barbed adulation -- is irresistible .", "what started as an underground goof ended up becoming a fascinating foul-mouthed curio ; though it aims for profundity , MOV seems destined to suffer the same fate .", "this engrossing documentary widens to consider the phenomenon of viral videos and the humiliation they can bring to their sometimes unsuspecting victims .", "one of those thrilling instances where reality grabs a filmmaker by the lapels and drags him -lrb- and us -rrb- to unexpected places .", "reasonably amusing doc about a salesman whose strong -lrb- read : weak -rrb- language gains fame .", "i guess i enjoyed MOV , but i knew it could have been more .", "raises intriguing questions about our culture of online humiliation and the real-life destruction it can leave in its wake .", "the germ of steinbauer 's apparently harmless , seemingly brainless doc goes right to the heart of the community-building aspect of the internet .", "MOV is an intriguing look at the effects on one man 's life ; whether they 're worth the cost is something steinbauer leaves up to us .", "... an interesting and entertaining look into the life of jack rebney % u2013 if you can take the language .", "for a growing legion of youtube boobs and mouse potatoes , MOV is all the medication we need to laugh away overdue bills and genital infections .", "there 's a pathos lurking around the edges of MOV , and it has nothing to do with issues of fame or the power of the web and everything to do with aging and alienation , neither of which the documentary seems able to comprehend .", "what this film is really about is how interconnected we all are , like it or not , on the internet , and how alluring and alarming this can be .", "whenever rebney gets to be rebney -- be it insulting , sweet or wearily perturbed -- MOV shows a full tank of irascible charm .", "that mr. rebney is a real character comes as no surprise . what 's odd , given mr. steinbauer 's obvious intelligence , is the director 's blinkered view of his subject .", "was it all an act -- or is this ? pay your money and find out .", "at once scabrously funny and uncomfortably poignant ..." ], "summary": "though it does n't quite answer all of the questions it raises , MOV is nevertheless a fascinating , hilarious , and surprisingly poignant look at a geniunely colorful internet celebrity .", "id": "770809072" }, { "movie": "becoming_jane", "reviews": [ "the film seduces . beautifully produced , from production design and costumes to music and performances , it 's also faithful to the genteel spirit and repressed passions for which she 's known .", "explains austen 's art simply and neatly : too simply , in fact , to do justice to such a brilliant observer of social manners and hypocrisies and weaver of complex , romantic moral tales .", "ponderous , despite a couple of nice performances .", "the story is touching , the dialogue clever , the cast is great and the period detail is impressive .", "the director , julian jarrold , is comfortable with the material , and it is comfortable with him .", "deeply pleasing in a connect-the-literary-dots manner .", "this ` have n't we seen this before ? ' sensibility is anything but a downside . it 's the draw of director julian jarrold 's good-looking , entirely pleasant revel .", "you have to be patient with the movie , but the payoff is good .", "this limp late-18th-century doodle sullies our memories of austen 's books and warps our impressions of the writer with pedestrian comedy-drama .", "a totally enchanting costume drama about jane austen 's yearning for love and a place in the literary world dominated by men .", "the tender emotion , delicacy of feeling and above all brilliant inspired flashes of brash female wit , render the truth or exaggeration of the tale simply secondary .", "it 's worse than male fantasy : it 's austen for idiots .", "it 's a bland , stilted , stuffy costume drama masquerading as a chick flick .", "not to put too fine a point on it , but this movie throws like a girl .", "another bland , passionless costume drama as stuffy and oxygen-depriving as its corsets .", "it 's all very spirited without getting anywhere near the spirit of austen herself -- at least as we know her from her work .", "what i witnessed was corporate greed : a savvy team zeroing in on an audience that goes gaga for the english costume drama , hoping to cash in on the popularity of young hathaway after the enormous success of the devil wears prada .", "anne hathaway has learned to ease up on the mugging and let us come to her . she 's no jane austen , but she 's got the gumption of an austen heroine .", "about 20 minutes in , you realise you 're actually quite enjoying this ; and , horror of horrors , anne hathaway 's actually doing a rather good job at this regency lark .", "the style of masterpiece thetaer is applied to this reimagining of the making of writer jane austen , which will upset purists due to its liberties with austen 's real background .", "it 's a classy package , all right - just missing the extra spark .", "a charming , intriguing biopic , given extra depth and sparkle by attractive performances from its superior cast .", "despite the fact that this is a beautifully-shot , dryly funny period drama , some audiences might prefer to stick to the sheer escapism of austen 's fictional work , which follows a similar formula .", "austen 's fans will recognise something of the author 's playful wit in the film , and forgive the dramatic liberties .", "think austen in amour , \u0155 la shakespeare in love . a warm , charming , bittersweet romance - destined to make a thousand dates .", "the supporting cast are all terrific , as are the irish locations .", "the very idea of jane austen with a broken heart may be thought vulgar and pedantic by her modern readers , and the way the story pans out is not convincing .", "a finely tooled brit-lit costumer that , like anne hathaway 's flawless accent as the young austen , lacks only that final convincing 5 % .", "it 's a good-looking film .", "while there is little that is fresh in this costume drama , it is well done and anne hathaway makes a delightful jane , who is unafraid to defy convention .", "the movie is eminently watchable : the production values are blue-chip , the script is often funny and cute , hathaway is reasonably charming .", "was austen really a smarter , feistier carrie bradshaw in more sensible shoes , longing for love even as she failed to hang onto it ? MOV would have been more honest if it had been called no sex in the country .", "short on emotion .", "MOV has its felicities ... mcavoy and hathaway work well together despite being saddled with dialogue that is not remotely in austen 's league . but then again , what is ?", "-lsb- a -rsb- moderately engaging pseudo-brit-lit piffle .", "after the invigorating cinematic brio of 2005 's pride and prejudice , it 's disheartening to see the austen brand retreat back into costume drama 101 ...", "the script 's lively , modern points of departure give it a few surprises .", "... a beautifully directed film from julian jarrold that draws as much strength from the depiction of the 18th-century english countryside -lrb- ireland , actually -rrb- as from the performances of anne hathaway as austen and james mcavoy as tom lefroy .", ". mcavoy shines in the role of a good-hearted rogue , and director julian jarrold -lrb- `` kinky boots '' -rrb- depicts 18th-century england with a convincing less-is-more approach .", "has a burnished feminine sadness , and the director , julian jarrold , gives it a creamy-dark visual flow .", "thanks to the combined charm of the leads , this remains a most agreeable cinematic portrait .", "we ca n't quite shake the feeling we 've seen this all done before , and better .", "unlike an austen story , MOV does n't suffer from a predictable third act , and the characters are n't quite so schematic .", "-lsb- mcavoy is -rsb- perfectly fine as the prickly metropolitan exiled to the provinces after a dust-up at a london law school .", "hathaway and mcavoy are appealing , but bland . the scenes that hark back to pride and prejudice are not so much evocative as hackneyed . it is all very pleasant , but it is also a bit of a bore .", "the film is still charming enough , both for its performances and its lovely look at jane austen 's most devoted suitor of all -- a pristine page , begging her attention , wanting nothing but her words .", "hathaway is too good an actress not to deliver more than just a grand star turn and she 's able to carry the story of austen 's .", "-lsb- mcavoy -rsb- and hathaway simply are n't given much to do together , and they have two long hours to do it in . screenwriters kevin hood and sarah williams seem reluctant to risk the ire of austenites .", "hathaway and mcavoy bring some genuine , if discreet , sparks to their secret romance , but there 's something fundamentally lifeless about director julian jarrold 's shallow gloss on pride and prejudice .", "there 's a lot to recommend MOV , particularly the performances . hathaway does more than survive . if she does n't seem like a literary genius , she at least seems like a worthy austen heroine -- intelligent , independent and brave .", "the movie has an immense charm that sneaks up on you . ultimately , it 's a delicate ode to love and honor -- and to writing and reading .", "the story quickly slips into austen formula .", "a triumph for anne hathaway , who brings to the young jane the same jittery wide-eyed intensity she displayed in the devil wears prada along with a secure british accent . she and mr. mcavoy inject a keen intelligence into the couple 's verbal jousts .", "contrived and hokey where austen 's work is effortless and romantic ...", "it 's a charming , peaceful picture ; a perfect diversion for those who like their corsets tight and confining and their romance kept behind a fence of social judgment and impossible odds .", "the mixing of vague historical anecdote and pure hollywood fantasy do n't quite mix .", "one can appreciate ` MOV ' without knowing anything about the writings of jane austen or the speculation about her hidden life .", "a painful experience for anyone who gets easily annoyed by the formulaic nature of austen 's writing .", "writers hood and williams conjure up a plot worthy of ms. austen herself , using austen 's real-life brothers and sisters for scandalous and tragic romantic subplots .", "the cinematic equivalent of a nice retirement facility", "dilutes one of the loveliest voices in english literature into chick lit .", "there 's something refreshingly spare and rough-hewn about this big-screen experience .", "if you 're a jane austen fan , your sense and sensibility will demand you check this out .", "an enjoyable appetizer , albeit for a meal that one could argue already has far too many courses .", "the squeaky clean love story of jane austen fails to make hay of either women 's liberation or the miracle of creative writing , sticking to lush estates and courtly costume finery instead", "fails to capture either the sprightly spirit and poignant pathos of its subject 's famous works .", "MOV takes a stab at being a historical romance in the vein of shakespeare in love , but something key is missing .", "a smart film about manners , money and marriage , `` MOV '' offers a fictional glimpse at the all-too-brief life of author jane austen .", "captures that certain romantic jane austen-esque spirit .", "the sole pleasure i got was in gazing at the fancy costumes and taking in the lush grounds of the snobby lady gresham 's estate .", "MOV may fudge the facts , but it finds the more compelling emotional truth .", "inevitably exudes a kind of hand-me-down quality , the feeling of being a second-rate copy instead of a true original , at once too clever and not clever enough .", "for realism 's sake , jarrold checks in with the usual muddy hems , misty green fields and chickens clucking underfoot . and if you\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- re an austen reader you can have an okay time just playing i-spy pride and prejudice ...", "if MOV is a little light in the head , it gives anne hathaway a chance to show herself off more delightfully than she did in the devil wears prada .", "for people who do n't know the rules of cricket or concern themselves with the romantic problems of the upper class , MOV is far from a classic .", "a charming period romance which casts jane austen as a budding young authoress stifled by the pride and prejudice of her time .", "lay back and do n't think of england -- or austen -- is the best advice i can give for prospective viewers of MOV .", "slow , boring , and i still know nothing about the real jane austen .", "unfortunately , lead actress anne hathaway is not suited to the role . her jane does n't seem like the main character in her own story .", "MOV attempts to please the purists and the dreamers , but only results in disappointing both .", "thank goodness there was a man around to stimulate jane 's creativity ! such is this film 's retrograde premise ...", "although the film does eventually give up its referential conceits , it comes far too late in the game to salvage any real emotional investment in the characters or their plight .", "MOV becomes a rather ordinary , though sporadically entertaining , game of dress-up .", "this never rises above a date movie , but it 's functionally literate -lrb- the lovers have some pleasant banter about the realistic merits of tom jones -rrb- and features a fine supporting turn from ian richardson .", "hathaway delivers a fine british accent and high spirits as austen .", "taken as speculative fiction , it is thoroughly satisfying .", "early on , a character remarks that `` wit is the most treacherous talent of all '' and based on the evidence contained within , the minds behind `` MOV '' are among the least treacherous people that you are likely to meet .", "if only jane 's fictional life had half the wit as what she put on the page .", "that the film overlooks austen 's imagination becomes understandable when `` MOV '' reveals itself to be a rather unimaginative second-rate copy of a jane austen novel .", "once you admit that the jane austen depicted onscreen bears scant relation to any person named jane austen , living or dead , the film fulfills its purpose .", "MOV is n't purposefully cynical but if you stop to consider it , it rather undermines austen 's great talent .", "-lsb- c -rsb- aptures both the aching romanticism and the cold , hard practicalities of austen 's fiction ...", "neither the best nor the worst of the jane austen adaptations . however , nor is it likely to be remembered for very long after it passes across your eyes .", "the movie goes down easy , but there 's a thin line here : is this an homage or a parasite ?", "after approximately fifteen minutes into the film , however , i forgot about the accent and realized that anne 's exuberance and dramatic range are fitting for this portrayal of the celebrated literary figure .", "... more ` chick flick ' than recent oscar-nom ` ed austen adaptations , but it 's cut from more or less the same cloth , albeit less durable .", "clearly embraces the spirit of the beloved novelist .", "one can only hope that MOV will inspire moviegoers to find out more about this beloved literary great . or hopefully revisit one of her classic novels .", "... drops the ball almost immediately by emphasizing some seriously hackneyed plot twists and an overall atmosphere of predictability ...", "something of a disappointment , thanks to some dreary photography and a boring , unimaginative script that completely wastes a talented supporting cast .", "another british writer is given the worthy cinematic treatment , complete with an american actress in the title role and sentiment that overwhelms what should be a gritty story .", "... it seems uncharitable to deny poor jane austen this chaste , hypothetical affair", "the central idea in MOV is that `` pride and prejudice '' may have been autobiographical . not a bad idea , except that the film plays more like a new adaptation of that book than as an outright examination of austen 's inspiration .", "take jane out of the equation -- replace her with any of your basic period-piece-romantic-costume-drama heroines -- and you 're left with mere trifle .", "the film 's romantic conventions are not nearly so bright or inspiring as what austen became , in her own words .", "not only is that a huge stretch of the facts , it makes for a dull and overly familiar melodrama .", "while MOV is too much of a prologue to the writing austen , it is an impeccably crafted imagining of a young woman seeking love at a time when women were so often ` better than their circumstances . '", "think of this scenario as a smart , witty , well-acted romance novel that has sprung to life on the big screen with some restraint and a decent amount of dignity .", "mostly just a second-rate jane austen story .", "hathaway never makes us think the woman could write anything more complex than a diet book .", "the reality of love 's disappointments enriches the film 's heroine , who never married in real life , and brings a 200-year-old figure into living focus .", "anne hathaway concludes the thorough evolution from disney princess to serious actress . with commanding wit and a deft british accent , she 's more than convincing as a wickedly intelligent woman restricted by proper society .", "empty , empty-headed , anf full of cliches . do n't expect austen brilliance from this pedestrian film .", "utilizing a lovely british accent and a graceful way with words , hathaway communicates austen 's predicament beautifully . when she was creating her immortal heroines ... the real jane austen must have pictured someone like hathaway .", "an evocative portrait of an artistic temperament in defiance of propriety and of how , when such things are repressed , passion and personality are revealed in acts of private ritual and public performance .", "the film 's familiarity is pleasant enough , and screenwriters sarah williams and kevin hood flaunt a strong working knowledge of austen 's work , peppering the movie with what amounts to inside jokes for readers familiar with the writer 's six novels .", "austen comes off here more as stenographer than writer .", "a smart and well-acted drama that is a refreshing change of pace from this summer 's overblown blockbusters .", "... a diverting game of spot-the-reference ...", "an agreeable period romp , missing the spark of the high-end austen adaptations but firmly in command of its own romantic devices .", "the film 's notion of austen 's great works being nothing loftier than the result of failed puppy love suggests the filmmakers perversely believe that gross oversimplification is a virtue .", "a witty , winning austen bio for tweens and older .", "an den to ` heis barethei -lsb- to story -rsb- tis alles ena ekatommyrio enniakosies peninta ennia hiliades triakosies eikosi dyo fores poy to ` heis ksanadei -lrb- i , an den to ` heis ksanadei -rrb- , magkia soy kai kali diaskedasi , prodomenos de tha bgeis .", "... there 's a feeling with MOV that we have seen it all before ... . many times .", "a dull exercise in deconstructing jane austen 's life to provide a life experience basis for her novels .", "without a pretext and knowledge of the classic author , much of the richness of this movie got lost", "even though it looked great and was moderately engaging , something was also always missing .", "with a spot-on accent and altogether charming performance , hathaway makes another convincing statement that she has grown , as a woman and as an actress .", "director julian jarrold -lrb- kinky boots -rrb- struck a unique and lovely tone , managing to maintain a conventional merchant-ivory type look but successfully infusing it with some rather modern humor -- hathaway and mcavoy verbally sparring like an 18th century trac", "unless you have something new to say do n't say it all . lesson learned from yet another jane austen re-tread that trots out its tired themes with 18th century goodness .", "MOV is not as good as the best austen films , but is much better than most mainstream movies on tap .", "you 'll enjoy it if you 're the artistic , romantic type who can be seated for 120 minutes without cgi or anything getting blown up .", "jane austen did not live the life of elizabeth bennett , but even if she had , there was no reason to be this bland in presenting it ." ], "summary": "although MOV is a well-crafted period piece , it lacks fresh insight into the life and works of jane austen . the film focuses too much on wardrobe and not enough on austen 's achievements .", "id": "460343705" }, { "movie": "darjeeling_limited", "reviews": [ "-lsb- anderson 's -rsb- movies , even if you think the stories are slight , are full of the joy of seeing . i could watch them with the sound off and still be completely happy .", "like a once in a lifetime trip that only grows grander with the passage of time , the MOV is idiosyncratic filmmaking at its finest .", "may not deliver on the emotional context of tenenbaums but is more than funny enough to forgive it 's heavy-handed dramatic metaphors .", "in the anderson oeuvre , it feels minor : although it hits its goals , it does n't necessarily aim big this time .", "although the MOV pales in comparison to anderson 's best film , rushmore , it 's still a vast improvement over the director 's last and worst film , the life aquatic with steve zissou .", "the usual pleasures of anderson 's work are all present in the MOV , which creates a gorgeous palette out of local color .", "amid all this self-conscious cleverness , the one sequence built around primal emotions feels hideously out of place , its gravity diminished by the self-consciously kooky antics that surround it .", "unstintingly fussy , vain and self-regarding . but it is also a treasure : an odd , flawed , but nonetheless beautifully handmade object as apt to win affection as to provoke annoyance . you might say that it has sentimental value .", "if anderson 's films really are an acquired taste , then darjeeling is cooked to perfection .", "the jewel in wes anderson 's crown !", "when that story takes a dead serious turn something only alluded to in previous movies it becomes clear that anderson can do pretty much anything ... that does n't involve the life aquatic .", "the movie finds anderson straining to peel away his mannerisms and respond to a world outside the ones he usually so meticulously designs .", "anderson 's signature style is feeling the pressure of the law of diminishing returns -- a law as menacing to the artist as that of gravity is to the balloonist .", "after approaching self-absorption in the royal tenenbaums and the life aquatic with steve zissou , anderson completely disappears up his own preciousness in this road trip .", "wes anderson 's movies are hothouse flowers , delicate but vivid blooming , fragrant but short-lived .", "... the sort of pretentious empty exercise that gives arthouse films a bad name .", "here anderson , like his heroes , learns the real adventure is in getting deliriously lost .", "wilson , brody and schwartzman are each fine , but if you found yourself stuck in a train compartment with their characters , you 'd vamoose .", "the screenplay does have ambitions to say something about brotherhood and spirituality , but anderson 's sense of style is so strong that sincerity and emotion struggle to be heard .", "what of the characters ? well , there are n't any , really .", "wilson shines as the oldest brother of three in perhaps his best performance to date .", "it 's very much what i think anderson intended - a light travelogue of small consequence , with a slight , though sincere and concerned effort to bring a heart back into his films .", "by now , you know exactly what to expect , which is both good and bad . to my mind , anderson reached the acme of this formula in the first go , in tenenbaums , and has now replicated it twice , evoking smaller pleasures each time .", "this is a handsome , intriguing and subtly funny character study that almost leads to enlightenment .", "wes anderson transports his arch , pristine , melancholic sensibility to india , where three estranged brothers meet after their father 's death and hop a train in a quixotic attempt to heal their spiritual wounds .", "anderson 's gentle parody of westerners who lob into an ancient culture expecting to pick up enlightenment and peace as easily as a shoe shine or over-the-counter painkillers is very funny .", "there 's -lsb- anderson 's -rsb- usual goofy celebration of silent dark-eyed melancholics and shaggy oddballs , of absurdist realities and blindingly unexpected insights . taken as a whole , it 's incontrovertible evidence of anderson 's own free-wheeling talent .", "-lsb- this -rsb- oddball odyssey stuck with me well after the final long , hypnotic shot of the magic train rolling through the indian landscape .", "none of this is as amusing as the writers ostensibly imagine it to be .", "the MOV is a step toward maturity for anderson , too . his visual ideas are still overcalculated and the tone is often precious , but emotionally he seems to have expanded .", "what this movie has going for itself in spite of its cloying pleas for indulgence is a playful and interesting narrative structure that precludes much development and comes to the fore only toward the end .", "painful to watch .", "it 's far more streamlined and focused than the director 's recent stuff .", "while the MOV is n't perfect , it comes so close to hitting the mark that even when the film begins to fall off the rails , you 've already made up your mind as to how you feel about it .", "it 's not top-notch anderson , but it 's a step in the right direction .", "maybe anderson needs to shoot someone else 's screenplay , to get outside his own head for a while and into another 's sensibility . it 's telling that his funniest and liveliest recent work was a commercial for american express .", "the MOV , the latest self-satisfied exercise in style over substance from writer-director wes anderson , will amuse his cult followers -- as well as anderson himself and his pals , of course -- but probably nobody else .", "anderson creates a deluxe train set , for sure . all he neglects is building up an electric current or a head of steam .", "arguably wes anderson 's most compassionate , mature film , `` darjeeling '' dances around disconcerting what-ifs : if they were n't your brothers and sisters , would you voluntarily befriend them , or do you tolerate quirks and annoyances because blood links you ?", "like anderson 's other work , this is light comedy -lrb- albeit comedy that flirts with an appealing ridiculousness -rrb- that carries with it a satisfying intelligence .", "being faintly disappointed by a new wes anderson film -- films whose primary form of emotional address , after all , is faint disappointment -- remains one of the few consistent pleasures of american moviegoing .", "as ambiguous and frustrating as it can often be , the MOV is a film of great art and passion ; vibrant , charming and poignant , it 's a ride you wo n't want to get off , no matter where it takes you .", "anderson is evidently encumbered by his own cargo . louis vuitton it may be , but the overriding sensation here suggests the endless revolutions of a baggage carousel .", "wes anderson manages to make the exotic indian countryside seem like a suburb of houston .", "though it never arrives at the desired destination , the MOV offers a rewarding journey -- but one that 's hard to recommend without a few disclaimers .", "while many people make films like anderson , anderson makes films like no one else .", "falling back on such clich\u00e9s , the emotional catharsis of the whitman brothers nevertheless remains hard-fought .", "the film as a whole operates in mr. anderson 's patented , semi-precious zone of antic and droll . it 's not as if the filmmaker has gone off the rails . he 's just not solidly on them .", "filled with the sorts of humane generalities and optimistic possibilities to which only a misanthrope could object .", "if you hear the music , you 'll recognize that beneath anderson 's hipster veneer is the low keen of loss and wounds that never close .", "can a movie be both cartoonish and authentic at the same time ? that 's what anderson achieves , always , and it 's bittersweet and hilarious and makes you want to cry with the perfection of it ...", "hurtling towards an ending that is far less pat than expected , the film ... is too mobile and busy to be forced into a single compartment .", "even those invested in the idea that the journey is the destination may feel they 've taken a train to nowhere .", "this film is indeed limited -- in appeal , sincerity and substance .", "it 's an affected film about disaffected people , and no cast in the world could save it .", "dysfunctional families have long been the favorite subject of filmmaker wes anderson , but he has rarely approached the topic with as much heart as he does here .", "for all its quixotic quirkiness , `` the MOV '' is little more than artifice for the art house set .", "the whimsy of it all does a passable job of covering the dull stretches , and the actors , to a one -lrb- bill murray has a cameo , anjelica huston shows up -rrb- make it watchable .", "with more style than substance , the story is so thin it evaporates like a puff from a hookah .", "it is repetitive , but it 's still very clever writing , maybe sometimes too clever , really good acting .", "a moderately amusing shaggy dog story that evokes director wes anderson 's love for human beings with quirky personality traits .", "wes anderson does n't make movies like anybody else , which is sometimes a good thing and sometimes not . his latest , the MOV , combines what 's best and worst about him .", "meticulously stylized and nimbly filmed on a retrofitted indian train , it 's a spicy , lyrical cinematic feast .", "the first thing my friend said to me as the credits began to roll : `` loved it ... but the film wo n't make a dime at the box office . ''", "anderson is still a maddeningly cool filmmaker . he 's remote from his characters , which makes him remote from his movies . there 's also a way in which he uses race as a novelty , suggesting an assertively white-kid view of the world .", "the auteur 's best work to date .", "a wonderful mix of humor and humanity , vintage wes anderson that 's fine and funny as he takes us on a soul searching magical mystery tour .", "it 's bliss for the anderson devotee ; a lateral cinematic move for the filmmaker , but one of immense merit and continuous enchantment .", "`` the MOV '' is a dud where even its lame attempts at slapstick comedy fall flat .", "the MOV , by comparison , feels like a more comfortable fit than its predecessor ...", "it 's time wes anderson moved beyond the mixture of damage and quirky creativity neglectful parents can cause .", "wilson , brody and schwartzman have their charms , but the script gives them little to work with . anderson and his co-writers have come up with an ordinary road movie that is dependent on lame running jokes .", "the MOV works best when the level of artifice is at its highest and most overt .", "real life comes crashing into anderson-ville ... and for the first time in his career , the filmmaker seems to be playing the pain for real , without any sight gags or ironic distance to cushion the blow .", "dripping with wes anderson 's patented blend of whimsy and melancholy , the MOV is the story of three brothers traveling across india in search of themselves .", "brothers and other strangers ride the MOV , wes anderson 's captivating road movie that views life as a great train of being .", "if you 've seen anderson 's other films , this will feel like a repeat . a good repeat , sure , but still a repeat .", "filmmaker anderson does not disappoint his diehard fans .", "infused with rich writing , strong performances and symbolic undertones , darjeeling explores how people behave when living in the moment but out of the comfort zone .", "quirky is the operative word here . you have to go with the flow on this wacky train ride .", "it 's hard to know ... whether i 've simply had it up to here with anderson 's archly cute portrayals of the troubles and eccentricities of the fabulously well-to-do .", "never before has wes anderson seemed so indifferent toward how the film will be perceived , and , consequently , it moves as gracefully and as organically as anything he 's done .", "unless he branches out into new territory aesthetically and thematically , anderson 's best days may be behind him , not in front of him", "wes anderson is an acquired taste . but those who liked the royal tenenbaums and even the grossly uneven the life aquatic may find this serio-comic tale about three brothers on a train journey through india a satisfactory diversion from everyday reality .", "o curta hotel chevalier , que precede o filme , \u00e9 infinitamente mais eficaz que o longa : se for para mergulhar num universo esteticamente fascinante que n\u0103o tenha muita coisa a dizer , \u00e9 prefer\u00edvel faz\u0119-lo em doses menores .", "this is india as in one of those highly coloured paintings of a hindu god . it 's absolutely gorgeous but every so often the train stops and we go outside , into the dusty yellow plains of rajasthan , where reality is more present .", "a wes anderson film is like a snow globe : it 's hermetically sealed , precious , and pointless .", "working through -lsb- jason -rsb- schwartzman as an alter-ego seems to recharge anderson 's ability to marry pitch-perfect style to emotional honesty .", "the way indian life is portrayed is nothing short of remarkable , and is perhaps the highlight of this laid-back , droll film that may not be everyone 's cup of tea , but will certainly be appreciated by anderson fans", "anderson packs an extraordinary amount of incident and observation into a mere 90 minutes .", "easily the slightest of anderson 's four feature films .", "this quirky , aesthetically-pleasing ride is one worth taking", "a wonderful film -- both funny and affecting .", "if the outcome is foreseeable and the film overstays itself a little even at 91 minutes , the pilgrimage is commendable though not enlightening .", "a touching , sweet tale about an adult trio of brawling brothers who go to india and bliss out tackling sibling rivalry issues , while essentially getting in touch with their divine if somewhat goofy inner mystics .", "a spunky spiritual adventure story about three american brothers traveling through india and trying to connect with each other and come to terms with the past and death .", "the MOV is so reflective of personal experience -lrb- within the context of rarefied pop antecedents -rrb- that it returns common emotional power to today 's fragmented , disingenuous popular culture .", "this is familiar territory for anderson after rushmore and the royal tenenbaums . but there 's a startling new maturity in darjeeling , a compassion for the larger world that busts the confines of the filmmaker 's miniaturist instincts .", "at a stage in -lsb- wes -rsb- anderson 's career when he should be moving on , he is instead circling back .", "a companion piece to tenenbaums more than a step in new directions , darjeeling is a movie about people trapped in themselves and what it takes to get free ...", "hit and miss , but its tone of lyric melancholy is remarkably sustained .", "somewhat funny , but in strange and subtle ways , even by anderson 's standards .", "-lsb- the film -rsb- has a kooky , laid back charm and is full of anderson 's trademark themes and surreal eye candy , but ultimately , for all its offbeat wit and road-to-enlightenment send-ups , it feels a little thin .", "the MOV is like an artist attempting to play back the exact same song , note for note . it 's almost always better the first time .", "it is a delight to look at , with its vibrant colors , iconic images and exotic setting , and the film has a meandering feel that captures the sense of trekking across india .", "entertaining and engaging , and also deliberately strange .", "wes anderson 's best film so far .", "the director and co-writer -lsb- wes anderson -rsb- has some deep thoughts going on in his head that are translated to the screen .", "this is as good a ride as anderson is likely to produce and most fans will think his variation on tongue-in-cheek comedy hilarious .", "anderson 's strength - he 's a consummate visual stylist , a natural born scene maker - is also his weakness , in that he favors obvious constructions , representations and meanings in his scripts .", "if anderson 's personal style is such that we can always tell a wes anderson movie from the outset , then the style has become commonplace for him , and therefore no longer a proper judgment point for us as an audience .", "the evidence of talent persists in anderson 's work , but the prognosis of terminal solipsism and emotional dilettantism draws ever fuller support .", "the technical prowess of wes anderson is still top-notch , with the best example being the train showcasing all of the characters at the end .", "lo que podr\u00eda haber sido una original road movie en tren termina diluy\u00e9ndose en una experiencia caprichosa , carente de humor y sensibilidad , y finalmente algo irritante .", "it eventually goes somewhere , but i 'm not sure where . it is a pleasant enough trip for the most part .", "... a nice sense of fraternal affection under the frustration , playful details in the margins , a bouncy energy , and anderson 's idiosyncratic tastes in fashion and music .", "though anderson is covering the same terrain , it 's different from , and better than , most of what 's out there . and it can still take an unexpected turn toward the revelatory .", "the melancholy is mostly notional and entirely unearned , bought ready-made in '60s songs", "it 's not so hard to believe that even the most naive and clich\u00e9d-seeming spiritual quest may be at least partially redeemed by fraternal good will .", "apart from having thus created the first road-picture homework assignment , anderson is n't breaking new ground here . but he and his actors appear to be having a larkish good time .", "wes anderson 's latest may be limited , but even the director 's lesser projects are worth our while .", "anderson 's films have been a series of diminishing returns after the delightful rushmore . the MOV is easy to admire but hard to like .", "here , as in his two prior outings , anderson 's arch , highly artificial style gets in the way of character and emotional development , rendering pic piquant rather than profound .", "a train ride without laughs or charm .", "going to india and working with 2 writers do little to reenergize anderson because he imposes the same themes -lrb- broken families , lost souls -rrb- , self-conscious approach and seriocomic sensibility on the new feature , further confined by being set on a train .", "full of fantastic individual moments .", "the ingredients that have increasingly defined wes anderson 's films seem , with the MOV , to have become something like limitations .", "for those familiar with anderson 's work the MOV offers nothing new under the sun -- except that its an indian sun .", "a highly flawed personal vision , containing what the screenwriter 101 's among us would deem various and sundry `` third act problems . ''", "a better film -lsb- than life aquatic -rsb- , warmer , more engaging , funnier and very surrounded by india , that nation of perplexing charm .", "the preciousness of this new enterprise pollutes the human relationships until everything seems like a pose .", "an easy movie to admire but more difficult to like . technically and thematically , there 's a lot in the MOV to arrest the attention . emotionally , there 's a void .", "a frustrating movie , a work of immaturity from a director who should be past the empty gestures and self-protective distance of his early work .", "the movie runs deepest when the brothers finally deal with their baggage , both real and metaphysical .", "each scene feels like its own little hotel chevalier , contrived for the mere purpose of seduction and nothing more .", "what 's offensive is the way anderson has used an entire country and its people as set dressing . poverty and reality do n't enter into the picture .", "saddled with a one-track plot and dry performances that never really go anywhere , even when the story literally goes off the rails .", "none of it rings true ; the unifying element is self-consciousness .", "an extraordinary movie , filled with splendor , laughter and a touch of cosmic wisdom . you wo n't forget it .", "... delivers no more and no less than what one might 've expected ...", "those who relished anderson 's candy-coloured bittersweet style in the life aquatic should enjoy the trip .", "the MOV is anderson 's most technically accomplished film , but his subject matter must evolve .", "quirky comedy-drama idiosyncratically directed by wes anderson .", "everyone who pretended to love aquatic because they were afraid of hopping off the anderson bandwagon because deep down they hoped it was just a little career hiccup ? do n't lock your knees when you jump because you 'll wreck 'em .", "`` the MOV '' is a quirky , sophisticated movie that 's kind of a comedy and definitely a road trip with very little plot .", "wes anderson tackles mature brotherly baggage .", "hugely enjoyable , delightfully quirky comedy drama from director wes anderson , featuring a witty script , gorgeous photography , a superb soundtrack and terrific performances from its three leads .", "it 's a movie about luggage .", "about as close to perfection as you 're likely to get .", "here 's another wes anderson movie . i say that with all due respect .", "the film about three brothers in the wake of their dad 's death is a pleasurable journey to nowhere , but it 's worth the ride .", "the MOV has its charms , chief of which is watching three terrific actors evince with unforced ease the rewards and resentments of brotherhood .", "captures the wistful woe and longing that drove the best parts of rushmore and the royal tenenbaums .", "however irregular the beat , this one has a heart .", "unexpectedly fresh , if indisputably minor .", "dysfunctional families are as common on screen as off , but director wes anderson has a flair for making his clans seem bizarrely unique and yet recognizable too .", "the MOV , which is based on a worthy story that ultimately needed more density , shines during its naturally peculiar scenes but blots out its own sun with contrived injections .", "anderson 's best and most satisfying work since rushmore", "limited is exactly what wes anderson proves himself to be .", "brody ... has a comedian 's gangly limbs and a tragedian 's melancholy face . for the tragicomedies of wes anderson , that 's a perfect combination .", "wes anderson returns with another love-it-or-loathe-it comedy , this time starring owen wilson , adrien brody and jason schwartzman .", "it may not have you weeping in the aisles , but it will be with you for days after you see it .", "owen wilson , jason schwartzman and adrien brody all get their comic timing just right as three wealthy brothers on a journey of discovery in india .", "a precious , self-admiring and fatally misjudged serio-comedy .", "for all anderson 's pleasing , refreshing auteur tendencies , the overwhelming feeling delivered by ` the MOV ' is of frustration , d\u00e9j\u0155 vu and little progression .", "want social realism ? you 're in the wrong place . want a witty , whimsical comedy ? climb aboard ...", "a tall tale of mishaps and misadventure that settles into a thoughtful , moving journey . by turns funny , smart and poignant , it 's one of the most satisfying films of 2007 .", "pleasant , especially on the design front , but a lack of narrative substance makes the whole a little too indulgently whimsical .", "`` the MOV '' is director wes anderson 's -lrb- `` the royal tenenbaums '' -rrb- latest vision of flawed relationships .", "funny peculiar and funny ha ha , with a spontaneity and energy that gather up a powerful emotional head of steam as it chugs along .", "the magically compelling MOV strikes me as the fullest blossoming yet of anderson 's talents as a total filmmaker .", "arguably the most self-indulgent and silly of his five-film oeuvre ... the emperor 's new clothes have only gotten more expensive and asian-inspired .", "if wes andersen ever decides to treat his characters with the same loving attention he treats his props , he will make better movies . oh the tschotchkes in this movie ! it 's like a long , loving j. peterman catalogue commercial .", "the MOV is a pleasant trifle , and that 's it . individual moments shine but they do not make a satisfying whole .", "midway through the film takes a shift to a darker and more thoughtful tone - revealing hidden depths to anderson 's film-making that are a welcome surprise .", "finds anderson back in fine form .", "though light on revelations , this well-acted film offers entertaining and touching moments .", "there 's never a moment when you 're not conscious of the movie 's artifice -- its set design is part of its entertainment -- but the experience is n't exactly off-putting , either .", "anderson 's now-overly familiar tone and style feels all the more twee when paired with a thin story .", "it looks wonderful ... but feels thin and weightless , as pretty a bauble as a christmas tree ornament and ultimately just about as durable .", "anderson continues to examine damaged lives with whimsy , humor and bittersweet compassion . no matter how serious the themes get , anderson and company keep the tone deceptively light .", "it 's a hard film to shake , and there 's an awful lot to be said for that .", "anderson 's most wispish work to date ... but it offers enough modest charms to earn it a mild recommendation .", "imagine the three stooges if they had gone to yale .", "whether you will enjoy this movie depends on your tolerance for anderson 's unique sensibilities .", "next stop , minor disappointment , followed by growing appreciation .", "only on screen for a few moments , anjelica huston provides the most moving experience in this odd , self-indulgent film about oddness and self-indulgence ." ], "summary": "with the requisite combination of humor , sorrow and outstanding visuals , the MOV will satisfy wes anderson fans .", "id": "770670652" }, { "movie": "queen_and_country", "reviews": [ "filmmaker boorman 's stroll down memory lane does not bowl us over with rapid-fire hilarity . it soothes us and then melts away unobtrusively .", "to watch `` MOV '' is to get the impression of a man who has gone through life and actually learned something , which not everyone does .", "i hope boorman follows through and makes a trilogy .", "tonally , the movie ca n't decide whether it 's a comedy , a romance , or a wistful wartime madeleine . what it 's missing is the sense of joy and wonder of its predecessor .", "for a movie shaped by the harsher mercies of martial pursuits , it 's incredibly light and frequently hilarious .", "MOV reveals itself as a prime example of the stale storytelling and ignorant ideologies audiences waved good riddance to years ago .", "MOV is the film of an old master -lrb- boorman directed his first feature in 1965 -rrb- who still has one of the most magical eyes in the business .", "rambling and unfocused but not without its moments , john boorman 's 19th feature film , MOV , represents a very belated sequel to the director 's 1987 feature hope and glory .", "the strength of boorman 's film is that it reminds us of what a service comedy is-the spectacle of cogs rising up against their machine .", "far from a searing drama yet seldom takes the glib way out .", "sweeping , witty , delightful and charming while brimming with warmth and humanism .", "a perfectly enjoyable service comedy , playing like a defanged british version of m * a * s * h that never actually gets to korea .", "once more unto the breach for writer-director john boorman , who revisits the semiautobiographical characters from his superb wwii dramedy hope and glory in the beautifully bittersweet MOV .", "while it took 27 years between films , MOV proves to be a lovely counterpoint to hope and glory .", "the film lacks an ability to construct significant instances of character drama as symbolic of larger concerns pertaining to nationalist dilemmas .", "a sequel to hope and glory set in postwar england that proves to be an impressive coda to english writer/director john boorman 's illustrious career .", "it 's solid , albeit generic , filmmaking that satisfies mostly in fits and starts . in other words , this time there 's less hope and even less glory .", "a little too silly to be taken seriously , yet also too heavy to get all the laughs it very clearly craves , `` MOV '' at least shows where boorman 's schizoid , if less than wholly satisfying , sense of storytelling comes from .", "boorman is 82 ; `` MOV '' is being called his final film in a career that included `` point blank , '' `` deliverance '' and `` excalibur . '' if this really is it , congratulations -- and regrets that bill rohan did n't appear in a few more movies .", "in short , -lsb- you may realize -rsb- how expert presentation can draw you into a world , immerse you in the lives of others , and make you sorry to leave when it 's over .", "MOV finds exhilarating comedy in places usually reserved for drama , violence , loss .", "the director gets all the period detail exactly right and there are plenty of historical and cultural references that evoke a sense of nostalgia .", "the actual antics feel as tonally dated as the story , school-boyish shtick that went corny even before m * a * s * h married screwball shenanigans to wartime bleakness .", "the movie is a sweet-natured , easy-going bit of storytelling , and while bill may be the central character , MOV is really a movie about england . and it 's a love letter to a particular time and place", "a worthy follow-up to a classic .", "there 's no way around the fact that this is a lesser endeavor than `` hope and glory , '' but when it 's good , which is often enough , `` MOV '' glows with a master storyteller 's sense of memory .", "sturdy , moving , nostalgic in a good way .", "charming but mature post-wwii coming-of-age drama .", "boorman grasps this opportunity in a war movie , to mount an incidental battle of his own internally against a national belief system without a soul - ridiculing a military hierarchy ranging from nasty to nonsensical , and pulled off with malevolent glee .", "entertaining enough , but military hi-jinx and romance are just not nearly as fresh a premise as was his sense-of-wonder-view of world war ii through the eyes of a boy .", "one of a handful of great movies that look at world war ii through the eyes of a child , `` hope and glory '' is distinguished by mischievous good humor and by the unashamed acknowledgment that war can be fun as well as horrible .", "boorman 's movie oozes fond memories but does n't quite know how to make them relevant .", "a deeply personal memoir , so well written and carefully observed that it draws the viewer into the ambience of postwar england with a persuasive power that makes you feel you 're part of the same experience .", "for cinephiles who 've followed this 82-year-old british filmmaker 's long and sometimes eccentric career with interest and admiration , `` MOV '' will be a sure winner .", "... a light , nostalgic military coming of age story with mournful undercurrents . while the film may feel slight compared to its precursor , boorman deftly manages shifting tones while preserving post-war memories in a very specific time and place .", "not as engaging as ` hope and glory ' but more deceptive in its modesty .", "modest but still disarming ...", "boorman skillfully takes major historical events and filters them through small , personal moments .", "it works , but not entirely .", "a direct sequel to 1987 's hope and glory -- and the best thing that john boorman has made since .", "with a wildly inconsistent tone , this makes for an emotionally disengaging film that is ultimately rather unfulfilling .", "queen & country is hardly reinventing the wheel , but it 's charming , evocative and...well-performed ...", "boorman has not lost his skill for deploying actors well .", "MOV is an entertaining and sympathetic guide to a lost world : a rite of passage that britain was to find it could do without .", "john boorman 's sequel to his masterful ` hope and glory ' does n't equal its predecessor , but still offers a vivid snapshot of army and family life in post-war england .", "admittedly modest , but the epitome of jolly , this is like the companionable second volume of an autobiography in film form - you 'll whip through it in no time , and come out wanting more .", "MOV is a truly entertaining flick forged by a master storyteller and the acting is polished , even in the smaller roles .", "a lovely movie , as achingly bittersweet as all nostalgia , marked by surprising moments of commonplace beauty - a brilliant morning sky , a gently burbling thames - and real rough emotion .", "less vibrant than the original , but equally thoughtful and funny .", "do n't let the british pedigree and nostalgic trimmings fool you : this is no masterpiece theatre exercise but a broad , high-spirited , riotously funny service comedy , on par with m * a * s * h and stripes .", "queen & country , like hope & glory , is anecdotal and episodic , but hope & glory added up to something .", "will john boorman turn his pair of -lsb- personal -rsb- films into a trilogy ?", "-lsb- video essay -rsb- boorman 's unfussy approach to his youthful past creates a warm sense of familiarity with the characters he presents , however quirky their motivations may be .", "it 's not hopeless , but it 's surprisingly slack , unfocused work from boorman , who aims for a scattered tonality that reflects the madness of the moment , but mostly loses his way .", "there 's a muted calm to this lovingly cast , beautifully shot time capsule , capturing passing time instead of -lsb- boorman 's -rsb- recurrent project of undertaking the making of primal myth .", "the fundamentally episodic nature of the narrative limits its impact somewhat , but boorman again finds a spark in a frisky coming-of-age story that tracks the growing pains of an entire nation .", "i was n't especially amused by the anecdotal plot .", "once again boorman has tapped into a particular sort of nostalgia that his audience truly feels , even if the experiences of his characters are nothing like their own .", "boorman returns to the classical style of the movies he enjoyed at a young age , again showing his flexibility and commitment to finding a story 's ideal tone .", "it has taken john boorman almost three decades to make the sequel to his much-cherished `` hope and glory , '' but `` MOV '' turns out to be well worth the wait .", "barely passes muster", "a wartime comedy of manners , it 's a delightfully whimsical portrait of 1952 england , a time and place of class discord that 's both uproarious and politically pointed .", "MOV is a fitting , intimate curtain call on a long and a hugely dynamic and influential film career .", "boorman 's point of view and on-screen alter ego seemed stylistically in sync in the first film , but `` queen & country '' - though often charming - has a tendency to wander and strain , which might say enough about capturing '50s england .", "it 's never going to be more than a footnote to the far superior hope and glory , but sometimes , when you 're feeling nostalgic it can be fun to dig out the other , less interesting photo album .", "it 's a modest pleasure of a film that leaves you hoping it is not the last word from the octogenarian boorman .", "it showcases boorman 's great humanity , but -lrb- like hope and glory , for that matter -rrb- it is almost entirely free of the mild derangement that characterises his best work .", "this is a deeply personal film which also stands as an intriguing record of a period not often revisited in film -- that drab period postwar and pre-suez in which the country itself , like the flailing young hero rohan , is struggling to define itself .", "everything you 'd expect from distinctive film-maker john boorman : a heartfelt story told in arresting visual tones through a melange of conflicting accents and strangely theatrical staging .", "the tone jumps awkwardly between soppy romance , serious drama and carry on-style comedy .", "this is the sequel to 1987 's hope and glory , a coming-of-age yarn awash with illicit passion .", "inconsequentially pleasant .", "it has a certain period charm , but somehow adds up to less than the sum of both its vaguely comic and moderately poignant parts .", "it 's a string of little jewels masquerading as a story . the army-life japes and escapades , climaxing in the stealing of an officers ' mess clock , might seem picayune . but they form a cumulative glitter .", "what a shame boorman chose to dramatise a fairly dull stretch of his life instead of going for what clearly should come next : his first steps toward becoming the director who would go on to make 1967 's point blank and 1972 's deliverance .", "MOV is john boorman 's autobiographical sequel to the wonderful hope and glory and a rather softer affair .", "a welcome , thoroughly enjoyable follow up -lrb- to `` hope & glory ' -rrb- . john boorman has n't lost his touch for finding humor and even wonder in the seemingly mundane experiences of life ." ], "summary": "graceful and bittersweet , MOV finds writer-director john boorman revisiting past glories with warmth and wisdom .", "id": "771315961" }, { "movie": "bruno", "reviews": [ "this is our cultural conversation right now , and MOV minces in , ready to demolish preconceptions in every direction .", "it 's a funny , funny , funny movie . it 'd just not revolutionary anymore .", "wilder and riskier but also more calculated than borat , MOV shows outre sexual images , and how can you not like a gay austrian who decides to repent after realizing that our top stars , cruise , travolta and spacey share one thing , they 're all straight", "br\u00fcno is like milk , but with a talking penis .", "the crown of the reigning king of bad taste must pass from john waters to sacha baron cohen .", "the fallacy that baron cohen 's comedy is politically pertinent derives from its pandering to lefty biases .", "those who go in with their jaws clenched are bound to find offense . better to focus on the stuff that works outrageously .", "outrage is entertainment !", "if MOV is not quite up to the lofty standards of borat , it is daring and sometimes insightful .", "... it feels funny enough -- and that may be the unkindest thing of all you could say about a comedy", "too often , br\u00fcno feels like borat 's weak-wristed brother , too much of it just a gay cliche aimed straight at the american bigot belt .", "sacha baron cohen might be a one trick pony , but he sure knows how to give the audience , ahem , a good ride .", "certainly , the film is worth seeing if only for the fascinating range in reactions -lrb- give 'em something to talk about indeed ! -rrb- .", "baron cohen 's daring and fearlessness as a cultural critic is in as grand a form here as it was in borat , his last adventure in ... lampooning ... kneejerk ignorance and superficiality .", "... provokes half as many laughs in a seemingly less improvised comedy that goes twice again as far as borat in goosing sexual sight gags designed to make even the most numb audience members blanch .", "the way the film exposes , tries , convicts , and administers punishment to homophobes - through humor rather than preachiness - had me laughing for 82 straight minutes .", "those who last beyond the first few minutes will be treated to a film that 's more focused than borat , with more jokes , less fluff , and enough social awareness to step on some toes . and it saves the best stunt for last .", "jive-talking robots and ben stiller ` going full retard ' be damned . br\u00fcno is easily one of the most offensive films in years , and that is what makes it awesome .", "a sporadically funny comedy that often shocks and disgusts , but falls flat with tedious and lazy humor .", "unless you are really , really , really , really difficult to offend , you will be upset by something in this film . seriously , count the `` really `` s. do the math . prepare yourself . sacha baron cohen does not pull punches . if you were disturbed by borat , you are", "get ready for more shock waves . with MOV , sacha baron cohen again pushes the sociopolitical comedy envelope as far as he can .", "sure , the shine is off as far as cohen 's particular modus operandi , but this is a funny comedy with both the capacity to make you think and genuinely recoil .", "but by pointing out how low some people will sink to hit the heights of fame , baron cohen can raise as many valid discussions as he can squirms .", "there 's good bad taste and then there 's just plain bad bad , which is what describes most of br\u00fcno .", "a hit-and-miss brand of humor , as likely to leave you squirming from embarrassment as howling with laughter .", "shock and awesome . we are co-conspirators with MOV when we know where he 's headed . let 's keep borat out of this .", "baron cohen and director larry charles are maestros conducting a symphony of discomfort .", "there 's a love story at the heart of this and it 's not necessarily a feature film , but it is a film phenomenon and he is a master at self-promotion , you 've got to admit .", "call me a grouch , but i found myself on side with harrison ford who , when stalked by MOV for an interview , tells him exactly where to go .", "MOV is not nearly as ambitious as borat , where cohen 's talent to outrage ranged far and wide . he 's no longer a saboteur . he 's become part of the machinery .", "it can be entertaining , in a scattergun way . but its most extreme moments feel forced rather than revealed . even its over-the-top finale , with echoes of borat 's rodeo escapade , seems over-calculated this time around .", "it 's a bubbling potion of the staged and the real that supplies a suitable comfort zone for cohen to manufacture his most outrageous character : a hulking gay fashionista with a tireless libido and a limited appreciation for personal space .", "a movie that will make you laugh so hard you 'll gasp for breath ... the formula is familiar , but baron cohen still finds ways to shock you into guffaws , over and over .", "a funny , fearlessly absurd comedy but a shaky satire .", "cohen holds up another mirror to american society , and if anything we 've only gotten uglier since borat . or maybe we 're just uglier when it comes to homosexuality .", "starts off as a hilarious lampooning of fame and the pursuit of celebrity , but cohen and the gang run out of material .", "a patchy , hit-and-miss comedy with a few outrageous highs and a lot of just-okay padding , br\u00fcno suggests that sacha baron cohen 's in-your-face fool routine sadly is n't working any more .", "'t is the season for summer camp , and this one fits the bill as well as any other .", "it 's essential - but hardly comfortable - viewing . you 'll watch most of it through splayed fingers , and at times you 'll need a spare hand to pick your jaw up off the cinema floor .", "there is also a pronounced nasty streak to the innumerable provocations staged by the title character that curdles the laughs and wears out the flamboyant austrian fashionista 's welcome within the picture 's brief 82-minute running time .", "we all knew borat . borat was a friend of ours . MOV , you 're no borat .", "the second hour of MOV is a laugh out loud satire that will make the world a better place . that 's what we want from sacha baron cohen ... lots of people do funny . i 'm glad he still transcended and took the bad people of the world down a peg . ''", "while the film is n't as consistently funny as borat , MOV should still pull in a sizeable audience .", "even at 82 minutes , br\u00fcno feels stretched-out with stitched-together filler .", "inevitably , this follow-up to cohen 's guerrilla mockumentary hit is a substantial letdown , lacking the novelty of its predecessor .", "skeptics might not swallow it all , and thinner-skinned folks will surely be offended . but no one will deny that baron cohen is fearless in his pursuit of rowdy laughs .", "in br\u00fcno , most of the stunts feel staged , more like the hills than cultural learnings .", "ribbing for your pleasure , br\u00fcno is crafted to cause a flurry of varied reactions , even within a single viewer .", "br\u00fcno never comes close to the inspired comic/cultural lunacy of borat , or even the dunderhead fearlessness of ali g.", "br\u00fcno is no borat .", "ich laughed , ich cringed , ich pitied paula abdul .", "more envelope-pushing and funnier than borat , baron cohen 's perilous brand of agit-comedy takes us from meetings with terrorists to acrobatic penises . how did this get away with an r rating ?", "for sheer shock value - and that 's really why people go and see a film like this - MOV delivers . it 's clear , however , that the formula is wearing thin , and baron cohen need dig deeper into his bag of tricks for his next outing .", "may be the funniest film of the year thus far , but it does n't come close to reaching the comedic heights of his previous effort , borat .", "rated r for rude , raw , ribald , and repetitive , br\u00fcno delivers sacha baron cohen 's brand of commando comedy , but little else .", "baron cohen is a genuine comic guerrilla , charging right to the front lines of the war against prejudice and sanctimony .", "yes , MOV is in ` gay face ' if you will , but when going beyond the surface , he is clearly turning the mirror on us and saying , ` do you see how stupid these stereotypes are ? '", "you should know by now whether MOV is your kind of movie . i had high hopes , but confess to leaving the cinema somewhat disappointed .", "MOV is well worth seeing for a good laugh , even if it is a hit-and-miss affair . after all , i doubt any negative reactions will stop baron cohen pulling the greatest prank of all -- pocketing millions from willing suckers like us .", "where borat was an innocent abroad , br\u00fcno is just broad ; sacha baron cohen makes br\u00fcno the self centred and self obsessed centre of the film , which is not so much a story as a series of sketches designed to shock , disgust and outrage", "i watched in superficial fascination , chuckled a couple of times , quickly became bored and found the 80 minute running time dragged like a one-note joke that outstays its welcome", "the only thing cohen can do is to throw the character 's sexuality in people 's faces , but there are several brilliant sequences of baiting and utilizing american gay panic that really hit the satirical button .", "for all of its button-pushing , the end result is almost as superficial as its egocentric hero .", "there are more consequences of his situations than there are laughs derived from them . not everyone around here is a howard stern .", "what `` MOV '' may lack in setup innovation , character conviction or `` borat 's '' inherent sweetness , it makes up for by pushing things beyond points of comfort or , in some cases , personal safety . successfully uproarious in slaying social stratification .", "as outlandish as the central character is , he uncovers some biting truths that no comedy writer could invent any better .", "in the end , MOV simply is n't as funny as borat . ... mr. baron cohen is too often forcing the issue instead of letting the humor emerge organically .", "illustrates not the public 's gullibility but a comic 's waning sense of danger", "MOV has one crucial element borat lacked , a satirical point of view .", "artificial e cruel quando deveria ser espont\u00e2neo e instigante , finalmente acaba cometendo um erro fatal para qualquer com\u00e9dia : leva o espectador a sentir d\u00f3 das `` v\u00edtimas '' de seu astro .", "as with borat , there are plenty of outrageous moments that will make you simultaneously laugh and squirm ...", "while the film may not be as consistently funny as borat , MOV takes the win for one of the most shocking and hilarious films in years .", "br\u00fcno is a brave and necessary comedy . the film will appear to be a succ\u010ds de scandale , and will outrage many people , but it is actually just a success , a film with an instinct for naming and shaming a host of overprotected wrongs . go and see it .", "merely a collection of supposedly shocking jokes about homosexuality and gay sex .", "you can watch MOV purely as outrageousness or you can view it while pondering where the line is - or should be - between incisive social commentary and misanthropy .", "the first 45 minutes -lsb- ... -rsb- might be the most concentrated bit of cinematic hilarity since aqua teen hunger force colon movie film for theaters .", "-lsb- homophobia -rsb- deserves confrontation , but when done in the manner of the movie here , it is less enlightening than it is just plain squirmingly funny .", "there are very little or no examples of comedic genius in this film", "staged or not , cohen still displays a fearlessness and commitment to character unparalleled in the comedy world today .", "a plot synopsis does n't quite capture the visceral thrill of our hero 's bizarre and shocking adventure .", "the only thing cohen can do is to throw the character 's sexuality in people 's faces , but there are several brilliant sequences of baiting and utilizing american gay panic that really hit the satirical button .", "sacha baron cohen 's latest shock comedy MOV is a nasty , tired and pointless retread of the gifted comedian 's previous work .", "if mixed martial arts fans who view the film are forever after afraid of fighters getting aroused during a ground-and-pound session on the mat , then baron cohen did the job right .", "i do n't know how many more times baron cohen can go undercover , but it looks as if he 'll never run out of bigotry , idiocy and hypocrisy to spoof .", "when moments seem like setups with actors , they turn tame . but when things feel real -- as when MOV conronts an arkansas wrestling-match crowd -- they can get scary-real .", "it 's an odd cop-out for so fiercely gifted a comedian ... . this is not a man who is doomed to be allen funt , or for that matter , ashton kutcher . he does n't need to rely on the easy titillations and voyeuristic pull of reality tv .", "cohen has come up with some marvelous satirical motifs ; elsewhere , he 's just showing how far he 'll go to get a laugh .", "for all his idiocy , kazakh journalist borat sagdiyev was a more likable jester than br\u00fcno , who is the sum of his nether parts . one is a naif in a strange land . one is a jerk no matter where he travels .", "not all of the jokes are complex , or smug . some follow the pure , simple slapstick route to the belly laugh , and there are enough of those to please many cohen fans .", "if you liked borat , i 'd recommend it . and i 'd recommend you expect it to be only 2/3 as good .", "there 's not much to br\u00fcno beyond some very old limp-wristed clich\u00e9s that are as hostile to gays as the people baron cohen mocks .", "the bad outweighs the good and the cringes outnumber the laughs in br\u00fcno , a disappointment from sacha baron cohen , whose borat was one of the funniest movies of the decade .", "an enormous schwanstucker of a comedy - hilarious , raw , shocking . sign me up girlfriend . two snaps up . way up !", "one of the funniest things you 'll ever see .", "for the majority of its short running time br\u00fcno is a masterpiece of comedy by embarrassment .", "putting his hairless self in harm 's way , sacha baron cohen sets the bar for guerilla comedy as high and as low as it can go .", "with as many gasps as laughs , and arguably less pleasurable than borat , br\u00fcno succeeds by sheer dint of cohen 's unrivalled ability to conceive , and then bravely enact , the most jawdropping stunts imaginable .", "he 's fearless , dedicated to his art and there really is n't anyone else out there who does this schtick half as well . a third helping of fake interviews might be pushing the gimmick too far , but br\u00fcno is as hilarious as it is terrifying .", "br\u00fcno is guilty of being both unbelievably crude and side-splittingly funny . while it 's certainly very close to borat at times , as well as the proverbial bone , with sacha baron cohen in such fine form almost anything is forgivable .", "that 's not to say that there are n't funny moments here because there are some really choice moments but they are lost in the mix of purile and often uncomfortable moments that really are below what you 'd expect from the team behind this .", "there is no braver satirist than sacha baron cohen today , working in any medium , and i salute him . this movie is going to be as big as borat , and deservedly so .", "a mixed bag - obvious targets sitting alongside worthy demolition jobs - but it 's never less than amusing ... and often excruciatingly funny .", "as phoney and frustrating as it is funny . baron cohen 's comedy-outsider schtick is slick but well and truly found out . the clothes may be new and more fabulous , but the emperor seriously needs to go shopping .", "what 's lacking in the presentation , baron cohen makes up for with sheer ballsy , outrageous bravado . he bulldozes you with shock tactics . br\u00fcno is a mesmerising invention , by turns repulsive and compelling .", "mostly entertaining ; but it 's not very memorable , insightful , probing , or revolutionary .", "while decidedly more secular -- and bordering on the x-rated -- baron cohen 's flamboyantly gay austrian fashionista serves a scripturally-prophetic function of sorts .", "let 's just get this over with : this is the filthiest movie i 've ever seen on the big screen .", "i 'm sure there are plenty of people who will find it offensive ... i was too busy laughing .", "br\u00fcno is wall-to-wall jokes , but it never loses sight of its targets , which are many and in the end all-encompassing .", "this film is probably yet another bit of fallout from that blight on civilization known as reality television . god help us all .", "the film 's one authentic moment has him stalking harrison ford , who tells him in no uncertain terms where to go ; frankly , i was with ford .", "the new sacha baron cohen movie , `` MOV , '' really is n't a movie at all . calling it one is sort of like calling mutton the new white meat .", "to paraphrase lloyd bentsen 's smackdown of dan quayle during the 1988 vice presidential debate : `` MOV , i screened borat ; i knew borat ; borat was a review of mine . MOV , you 're no borat . '' perhaps not , but there 's still plenty of laughs to be found .", "it 's a shallow and silly thing that has every right to exist but no profound purpose . it is just a $ 40 million practical joke , and like all practical jokes , it has at its core a hard kernel of cruelty .", "it 's funny stuff , but more in a `` look at how outrageous we 're being '' sort of way than one that comes close to engaging in meaningful social commentary .", "claims that the film is a social satire are as empty as br\u00fcno 's pretty head , there 's no arguing with the fact that the film is staggeringly rude and very , very funny . the laughs build and build : it 's like surfing a tidal wave of hysterical bad taste .", "br\u00fcno is thrillingly funny , establishing sacha baron cohen as a comedian willing to go further than any other to show us what needs to be shown .", "baron cohen is an astonishingly focussed performer ; we have no idea how he does n't crack a smile .", "sacha baron cohen 's latest outing is undeniably hilarious and you ca n't help but admire the sheer chutzpah involved in making the film .", "better than borat ? no . but easily just as good , and twice as outrageous .", "it 's properly ridiculous , mad entertaining and , dare we say it , laugh-out-loud silly .", "there are a lot of big , cruel laughs in this but it was a lot easier to warm to the innocent borat than the self-absorbed br\u00fcno and the film begins to overstay its welcome even at a trim 80-odd minutes .", "but oh my , puerile and ragged as it is , and to some extent because it 's so ragged and puerile , i doubt if a more screamadelically hilarious film will be released in 2009 .", "cohen 's new one-star show is appalling and funny and sometimes both simultaneously .", "you could laugh so hard you wo n't be sure what will split first - your head , sides or `` kugelsack '' .", "howlingly funny , staggeringly rude , brutally incorrect and very often just brilliant .", "cohen does n't quite reach the same five-star genius as his kazakhstan phenomenon . we kind of know what to expect now . still , you 'll laugh out loud , an awful lot .", "borat remains sacha baron cohen 's masterpiece . but gag for gag , br\u00fcno is every bit its equal . so is it the best comedy of the year ? without a doubt .", "br\u00fcno 's greatest outrages here will still elicit howls and shrieks , as well they should . but our fabulous austrian friend is no comedy revolutionary , only a cruel and silly stereotype in leopard-print underwear .", "intolerance and outrage has never been funnier , and nobody incites it better than br\u00fcno , borat or baron cohen .", "whether you believe br\u00fcno is the caustic comedy of a political prankster or the rude humor of a smart-aleck , it 's hard to deny that there is a subversive intelligence at work .", "it 's an exercise in offensiveness , an exploration of over-the-topness and a gleeful working of both sides of the street . what brings br\u00fcno down , though , is sinful behavior . mr. baron cohen commits the cardinal sin of unfunniness .", "the reason MOV does n't rise to the level of cohen 's earlier work % u2014 besides the inevitable diminished returns of revisiting now familiar territory % u2014 is that this time around the film is more interested in making fun than in making a poin", "while there are some big laughs to be had , MOV ultimately fails at its more grandiose intentions as a sharp satire about our obsessions with celebrity and tendencies towards homophobia .", "yes -- if you 're asking -- br\u00fcno is quite possibly the most uproarious , groundbreaking , and shocking comedy of the past decade -- and that includes its sister film which showcased the jew-phobic borat .", "a condescending picture that always takes aim at easy targets , fires away with a blunderbuss , and then pretends to be courageous for what it 's done .", "funny , yes . astute in its satire , not as much .", "sacha baron cohen uses his guerilla tactics to ` expose ' the vanity and vacuity of hollywood and the american south . his high-wire humor can be very funny , but here the groans often drown out the giggles .", "sacha baron cohen 's smiling and gregarious borat , as opposed to his haughty and selfish MOV , scores much higher on the likeability scale .", "the film 's weakness is obvious : it has exactly one trick up its sleeve , and merely repeats that trick over and over for its entire 87-minute running time", "i thought it was hysterical . i 'm just not sure i 'll respect myself in the -lrb- metaphorical -rrb- morning .", "i do n't know if there are any comedians working today as fully dedicated to a joke as sacha baron cohen .", "MOV 's quest to become the most famous austrian star ` since hitler ' is shocking , vulgar and shamelessly defamatory . it 's also downright hilarious .", "undeniably funny , but the targets are far too obvious .", "an expose of the sham values of celebrity worship and tinseltown ambition largely unaware that the producer/director/writer and lead actor exemplifies those very values to the hilt .", "worth your time , but be prepared to be shocked and possibly disgusted in between the laughs -- or even during the laughs .", "the movie is laced with edgy , eyebrow-singeing ` shock ' moments , but MOV himself belongs to a long tradition of english-mangling funny ` foreigners , ' as portrayed by peter sellers , sid caesar , danny kaye and armies of radio and vaudeville comedians .", "i do n't think cohen 's targets are even being particularly homophobic , they 'd just prefer if this crazed , half-naked circus freak would just put his penis away and stop invading their personal space", "as funny as some of this is , though , even with a running time just shy of 90 minutes , br\u00fcno often feels as if it 's straining for effect .", "MOV is not for the easily upset but if you roared with laughter at borat the chances are that you will find the gay austrian model even more outrageously funny .", "as social satire , ` br\u00fcno ' is boorish and scattershot ; as farce , it is obvious and erratic .", "you have to give baron cohen 's publicists five stars , though the film itself falls short of that .", "not since lenny bruce has a comedian pointed a spotlight on people with such observational precision .", "MOV is curiously ineffective , a sort of middling effort that fails to liberate itself from the stereotypes that provide the character 's foundations , even if it also does n't deliberately or harmfully reinforce them .", "if you 're na\u010fve , in high school , or a dedicated follower of scatology , you 'll think this is genius . anyone with world experience , however , will feel left out of the loop .", "there 's laughter but it 's empty , mean-spirited laughter . MOV makes fun of people for no other reason than it can , not because it has something to say .", "sacha baron cohen has nearly succeeded in his quest to be the film equivalent to howard stern . crude and crass rather than challenging , shocking rather than stimulating , cohen does n't seem to care what he does so long as he gets people talking .", "it is proof positive that this emperor of comedy has no clothes , a fact that he seems depressingly eager to demonstrate throughout .", "the movie is a toxic dart aimed at the spangly new heart of american hypocrisy : our fake-tolerant , fake-charitable , fake-liberated-yet-still madly-closeted fame culture .", "controversial , uncomfortable , and hilarious", "a politically-incorrect savior , that rare comedy that revels in bad taste while also actually having something worthwhile to say about the world we live in and the senselessness of stereotypes .", "the problem with MOV comes in mistaking blatancy for comic gold .", "producer/star sacha baron cohen keeps trying to mine humor from the same type of jokes . and in terms of story structure , it 's pretty much the same movie as its predecessor .", "br\u00fcno is a smarter , savvier and all-around funnier movie than its predecessor .", "while cohen has teamed up again with director larry charles , br\u00fcno feels protracted . when the filmmakers ' luck dries up , they resort to staged fish-in-a-barrel events that make the movie a more desperate , less surprising exercise .", "borat got some pretty uncomfortable and surprising behavior from people . br\u00fcno shoots fish in a barrel .", "br\u00fcno hinges on how uncomfortable we are watching a homosexual minstrel show ; our pc excruciation is as crucial to the formula as the good ol' boys ' irritation", "while cohen 's samurai satire has lost some of its edge , he can still leave audiences howling -- when they 're not gasping in disbelief .", "no stoop is too low for a cohen gag .", "MOV has enough gay heat to toast a pop tart in the pope 's ass .", "a vapid , empty and relatively hateful flick . and this is from someone who loved `` borat '' .", "a giddy mash-up of social , sophomoric and shocking humor .", "a brilliantly rude , deliriously insane closeted sexual politics on steroids mockumentary . boasting MOV as the anointed white obama , waxed rectums , defense moves against multi-hued dildos , and ron paul as peeved object of erotic desire .", "MOV is no borat !", "the pic is all about cohen goofing on others he feels superior to .", "while cohen 's taboo-breaking audacity remains in full force throughout MOV , his ability to keep the big laughs on a roll has waned this time around .", "borat feels like a story , br\u00fcno comes off more as sketches , very funny sketches . it 's like an r-rated daily show .", "i felt bad for some of the folks , such as ron paul and the poor preacher he picks on . i wanted lightening to strike others , such as the parents of the babies he interviews for a casting session .", "there are sequences of comic genius but you suspect that the huge dollop of cruelty in cohen has got out of hand - and then the movie wilts .", "with his previous work , baron cohen has already proven he 's a lot smarter than this", "cohen no longer has freshness and novelty on his side , but he 's retained the power to shock , offend , provoke , unsettle , and most importantly , entertain a jaded , desensitized public .", "br\u00fcno offers both succor and sucker bait for liberal-minded viewers who may feel harassed by prevailing and ever-shifting cultural sensitivities .", "MOV is a one-joke character in a one-joke movie , and it 's a joke baron cohen beats into the ground .", "like swift 's gulliver 's travels , br\u00fcno defies you not to see yourself in its funhouse mirror . and then dares you to laugh it off .", "for those of a non-puritanical mindset , it 's hard to deny that br\u00fcno succeeds in being both outrageous and outrageously funny , and it 's hard to damn a comedy , regardless of its faults , for those qualities .", "although br\u00fcno is sometimes a wickedly funny flick , the dubious techniques and repellent protagonist produce fewer real laughs than its predecessor .", "if sasha baron cohen is an acquired taste , i 'm sipping the kool-aid .", "the needle on my internal laugh meter went haywire , bouncing among hilarity , appreciation , shock , admiration , disgust , disbelief and appalled incredulity . here is a film that is 82 minutes long and does n't contain 30 boring seconds .", "for a portrait of a monomaniac , it 's alarmingly random . for an expose of charlatans who range from a psychic to celebrity-charity consultants , it 's maddeningly shoddy .", "even more insane and hysterical than borat , sacha baron cohen 's hilarious follow-up is also far more coherent and effective at using shock factor to get you laughing .", "sacha baron cohen is the most fearless comedian around . culturally , he is pushing people forward kicking and screaming .", "` MOV ' is just as much filthier and certainly more bodacious than any comedy you 've seen .", "it 's certainly not that there are n't a few funny moments in the film . there are , but overwhelmingly , MOV 's stunts are demeaning , they are insulting and they are really cruel .", "there are lots of moments in this movie that are genuinely funny .", "wholly unsuitable for children , yet propelled by a nagging puerility that will appeal only to those in the vortex of puberty , or to adults who have failed to progress beyond it .", "cohen probably did not consciously echo the magic christian , but he would have done well to learn from it .", "for those willing to endure the shocks and actually think about them afterwards , the film 's jokes work on multiple levels , although it is hard not to feel that there is some diminishing return this time around", "br\u00fcno is hit or miss for its first half or so but picks up steam as it goes along .", "even worse than i thought it would be", "parental content review", "MOV is outrageous , sick and offensive but pretty damn hilarious .", "of course , there are laughs , and if audacity were the only principle by which film-making achievement were judged the movie would be a knockout . but having groaned and winced through most of its 83 minutes i could n't wait to get out of there .", "whether it 's outrageously offensive or offensively outrageous , it 's laugh-out-loud funny .", "sacha baron cohen 's MOV is shocking , outrageous and uncompromising in its willingness to get a laugh . it 's just not very funny .", "all the cautions and qualifications in the world are blasted out of your head by some of the film 's astoundingly hilarious ideas and sequences .", "a crude , cringe-worthy , and intermittently funny affair that triggers the gag reflex .", "kudos to the amazing sacha baron cohen who offers one of the best characters since 2006 , an actor who can remain in character even with a gun to his head .", "simultaneously funny , infuriating , daring , cruel and tasteless .", "even if this is the end , we must applaud his audacity , even if we ca n't always bear to watch it in action . is this comedic genius ? as br\u00fcno would say : ich think so .", "some of the scenes do beg the question of if they were staged or not , but after the first ten minutes or so you 're laughing too hard to really care .", "baron cohen 's instincts for outrage are spot on . it 's not insight we need at all right now , but a very sharp bonk on the head .", "more gut-bustingly funny than anything else out there right now .", "outrageous , unnerving , brave , topical , revealing , appalling and consistently hilarious , br\u00fcno manages to be both cutting-edge cultural commentary and post-modern comic genius .", "most of it is inspired silliness .", "it 's a thing , not a movie -- if , that is , you believe a movie should be more than an accumulation of prankish set-pieces flimsily strung over 80 skimpy minutes ." ], "summary": "crude and offensive , but with ample cultural insights and gut-busting laughs , MOV is another outlandish and entertaining mockumentary from sacha baron cohen .", "id": "770771641" }, { "movie": "mary_shelleys_frankenstein", "reviews": [ "something more substantial than hollywood 's typical , fitfully entertaining fluff .", "as this movie switches , unevenly , from swashbuckling adventure to classic horror to frilly-shirted romance to campiness to graphic gorefest , there 's no telling what you 're watching .", "a bloody mess -lrb- in both artistry and gore-level -rrb- and is extremely difficult to watch .", "branagh does n't evoke terror , only repulsion .", "branagh 's directing style is soupy and derivative of all the wrong movies .", "it 's an odd and uneasy mix , but the look of the film is dazzling and the performances are all first-rate .", "it does ... suggest that branagh is a filmmaker who is continually extending his reach and truly seeks to reinterpret source material in a uniquely cinematic language .", "the creature is on target , but the rest of the film is so frantic , so manic , it does n't pause to be sure its effects are registered .", "it is , in a word , dullsville .", "uma das mais fi\u0436is e complexas adapta\u0443\u0448es da hist\u0437ria original , respeitando seus temas principais mesmo que desviando-se , aqui e ali , de pontos espec\u044cficos da trama .", "kenneth branagh has indeed created a monster , but not the kind he originally envisioned .", "watching the movie work itself into an operatic frenzy , one remains curiously detached : the grand gestures are there , but where 's the music ?", "different look at the old frankenstein story , directed by branagh .", "branagh is very obsessed with chewing the scenery . so much so that he even manages to outdo robert deniro .", "branagh 's ambitious take succeeds as a cautionary tale about true monstrosity : hubris and man 's inhumanity to man . but one man 's operatic style is another man 's unintentionally comical excess , and ... frankenstein certainly tempts fate ... -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "clearly , one person 's authentic homage is another person 's overwrought teeth-gnashing fest , as branagh 's film never hesitates to slop on the melodramatic mustard .", "i 'm inclined to give it an 8 now . the more you watch , the more you appreciate how branagh was able to faithfully retell shelley 's novel while still managing to make it fresh and make it relevant .", "a weirdly muddled and embarrassingly over-the-top fiasco .", "a sub par effort on one of the most frequently ill adapted stories ever made", "a noble failure , but a failure nonetheless .", "visceral and energetic sceen translation of this literary classic .", "as wrongheaded as coppola 's dracula -lrb- in different ways -rrb- , frankenstein is all bluff , bombast and bargain-basement borrowings from ken russell 's gothic .", "an interesting concept by branagh , and a touching de niro performance . it is hit-and-miss at times , a bit overwrought .", "an oddly moving father-son love story .", "mr. branagh is in over his head . he displays neither the technical finesse to handle a big , visually ambitious film nor the insight to develop a stirring new version of this story .", "not frightening , just silly .", "what can i say ? i found the bravura and chest-thumping intriguing . i do n't even feel guilty saying that .", "for all its attention to detail and special effects , this version lacks the pathos and tragedy in the complex and ambivalent relationship between the father-creator and his creature-monster ; de niro is misguided by director branagh .", "it 's greek tragedy , and when its characters utter invocations to the gods in turn , it manages to feel cheesy in exactly the right way ." ], "summary": "mary shelley 's frankenstein is ambitious and visually striking , but the overwrought tone and lack of scares make for a tonally inconsistent experience .", "id": "13389" }, { "movie": "10011268-oceans", "reviews": [ "succeeds brilliantly with a visually dynamic component that is nothing less than dazzling", "perfect for families and exquisitely shot , this entry from the disneynature division is even better and fresher than last year 's earth .", "the movie could -- should -- be a symphony , and it frequently makes excellent use of spare classical music . when brosnan pipes up , he is as welcome as a car alarm .", "for all MOV does to please the eyes and ears , it does nothing to engage the brain .", "there 's a been there/swam that feeling to MOV .", "MOV is a bit slow at times but perfectly captures the beauty and brutality of the ocean without being overly political . make sure you use the restroom before watching it .", "MOV floods us with stunning visuals of the panoply of sea life . but without a compelling story , or a strong point of view , or mere information , we can only ` ooh ' and ` aah ' so much .", "i never thought i would like anything made by two dudes named jacques unless i could eat it for dessert or buy it from a truck stop men 's room vending machine .", "you 're torn . is this a work of nature pornography or consciousness raising ? the movie thinks if it overwhelms us with the former , we wo n't notice the relative absence of the latter .", "there have , over the years , been a lot of terrific undersea documentaries , but if you want to know what distinguishes this new one , it comes down to a single word : technology .", "needs more information and more stunning images that speak for themselves , not another earnest monologue from captain obvious .", "exposing humans to the rich ecosystem that produced and sustains all life makes MOV inherently valuable .", "slight but undeniably beautiful documentary on the MOV from the makers of winged migration .", "MOV contains some of the most beautiful imagery ever seen in a feature-length documentary .", "hits all the right buttons , focusing on the cute -lrb- like the seals and penguins -rrb- to the dangerous -lrb- like the sharks -rrb- and the majestic -lrb- like the whales -rrb-", "enthralling , enlightening , meditative and often humorous , this is a wonderful documentary about the MOV and those who live within it", "new technology has helped these filmmakers to build new tools for underwater cinematography that enables them to be more flexible , faster in the water , which is how they captured profile footage of dolphins speeding through the water , for example", "compactly profound , appropriately humbling , and this is just the tip of the iceberg .", "a visually stunning plunge into the life aquatic ; shame about the narration .", "if the film does have a standout quality , it would be its meditativeness .", "where 's spongebob squarepants when you really need him ?", "a beautiful -- at times breathtaking -- visual examination of the undersea world", "stunning images of some of the most breathtaking and fascinatingly odd creatures of the sea . no cute story added , or needed .", "it is highly unlikely that you ever would have the opportunity to witness such spectacles in person ; perrin and cluzaud scoured all five MOV to bring them to you .", "boasts extraordinary images rendered with a clarity sure to become a touchstone for nature docus ; even viewers who do n't care about fish will find plenty to exclaim about .", "the one real problem is the rambling narrative and some too-intrusive voiceover narration . -lrb- brosnan is fine , but frankly , the pictures do a better job of speaking for themselves anyway . -rrb-", "it comes to american theaters saddled with narration by pierce brosnan , who purrs through the gratingly vague script like the world 's plummiest old half-drunken uncle .", "the voice-over almost manages to turn the majestic into the mundane . almost .", "with a subject as literally vast as this one , it 's essential to either narrow the focus -lrb- make the film about one particular species , or region -rrb- or carefully construct the approach -lrb- group footage by theme -rrb- . MOV does neither .", "though never quite as stirring as march of the penguins or winged migration , it quickly establishes its own gentle pace .", "while it may not plunge deeply enough , MOV continues the worthy efforts of explorers such as jacques cousteau , reminding us to respect nature and preserve the myriad life forms that rely on the ocean to survive .", "a regrettably scattered , slapdash affair that holds none of the narrative flow and only a fraction of the visual majesty found in disneynature 's first effort , 2009 's earth .", "despite the talents of jacques perrin and jacques cluzaud -- the oscar-nominated duo behind winged migration , who once again contribute their amazing , in-the-midst-of photography -- the most striking thing about MOV is its banality .", "the ocean floor fight sequence between the mantis shrimp and hermit crab is one of the tenser action sequences i 've seen in quite some time .", "the film 's rigorous commitment to probing the undersea kingdom 's oddities separates it from the usual tepid discovery channel fare ...", "the wow factor alone makes MOV a great earth day/earth week at the movies .", "sublime . astounding . fantastic . i do n't think i can find enough superlatives to describe the incredible `` MOV , '' the gorgeous disney documentary released in celebration of earth day .", "dazzling nature doc chooses poetry and wonder over storytelling and effects .", "serene and sublime , MOV is the best nature doc since march of the penguins -- kids will love it !", "gorgeous educational docu dives deep for facts ; kids ok .", "the movie unpretentiously and effectively shows how our cultural , personal and environmental history not only shape us but affect our decisions .", "MOV is simply amazing at times , a truly remarkable and extraordinary journey under the sea that takes us places we have never been before .", "`` MOV '' is a stunner !", "this monumental documentary gets intimate enough to hear a crab sneeze .", "there are life-and-death dramas , moments of playfulness and tenderness , which create an ever-increasing sense of wonder .", "horseshoe crabs scuttle like possessed nazi helmets and a school of fish morphs from dreidel to disco ball , as if choreographed by busby berkeley .", "MOV is more of a random collection of images from the deep . but , boy , what images .", "an almost miraculously photographed showcase of some of the seven seas ' least seen and most incredible specimens .", "each amazing shot of marine life is as visually stunning as what preceded it , and lo and behold , we do n't need 3-d technology to enjoy it .", "it fulfills jacques cousteau 's statement that ` the best way to observe a fish is to become a fish . '", "this gathering of images is mesmerizing .", "MOV is a stirring and beautiful experience .", "this really is a film that manages to show us things we 've never seen and make what we have already seen look different and new .", "assumes a far more consistent depiction of the titular habitat . at least this one does n't feel like i just happened upon it flipping from the food network on my way to an episode of ninja warrior .", "this year , `` earth day '' -lrb- a day to `` inspire awareness and appreciation for the earth 's environment '' -rrb- is marked by the release of `` MOV , '' a lush documentary about the magnificent waters that cover more than 70 percent of the earth 's surface , and the vast n", "... does have some beautiful imagery , but it is randomly put together , fails to identify about half the creatures we see , and features some often nonsensical narration .", "this hypnotically photogenic journey into the depths of the ocean blue exists to appeal to the imaginations of young and old alike .", "in the end , the film is something of a gift . if ever there was a movie needed right now to underscore the importance of preserving our world and its life-giving waters , this is it .", "my new favorite freaky thing is the wack-eyed mantis shrimp , a testy little fellow who gets violently territorial with crabs loitering around his front door - as one learns to its grief . get off my lawn , punk .", "a movie so bursting at the seams with images , it ultimately lacks focus .", "its visual splendor more than makes up for its intellectual poverty .", "visually stunning , intriguing and inspirational .", "parental content review", "oh , it 's amazing .", "visually -lsb- it 's -rsb- quite seductive .", "MOV works best as a series of pretty pictures , each more beautiful and jaw-dropping than the one before it . if you want context , get online or head to a library .", "magnificent", "MOV presents the superb underwater photography and cool critters we have come to love from the best nature documentaries .", "fantastic creatures , fantastic photography", "could the script have been less informative ? could it have been more soporifically read than pierce brosnan 's rendition ? i do n't think so .", "quite the beautiful picture to look at , but the person who swims with the great white is totally insane ." ], "summary": "MOV adds another visually stunning chapter to the disney nature library .", "id": "770805763" }, { "movie": "bad_lieutenant_port_of_call_new_orleans", "reviews": [ "herzog , who seems to be drawing on the audience 's affection for him as an inspired madman , may not care to tell a story straight anymore .", "sensationally entertaining , darkly comedic , witty and refreshingly bizarre . a guilty pleasure . nicolas cage is in top form .", "the iguanas are like the frogs at the end of paul thomas anderson 's magnolia , only better .", "nicolas cage , a born hollywood skin-walker , somehow hints at a spiritual dimension to all this lunatic mayhem .", "-lrb- the film -rrb- has a hard time settling on such simple things as characters ' motivations , needs and accents -lrb- cage 's changes inexplicably midway through -rrb- .", "no quote available .", "we have to go all the way back to junior brown , the psychopathic strip club owner in kiss of death -lrb- 1994 -rrb- , to find a meatier heavy in cage 's filmography .", "cage acts , at times , as though his head is about to explode . and not the character 's head ; it 's cage himself who seems in danger of self-immolation .", "the new film has much in common with some of herzog 's crazed past masterworks like aguirre , the wrath of god .", "like the water snake that slithers by during the opening credits or the baby crocodile from whose point of view we observe one roadside scene , this movie is a freaky little swamp thing .", "despite his strangely receding hairline , bug-eyed demeanor and hunchback stance , cage somehow avoids making this police lieutenant a caricature .", "a one-of-a-kind experience that boasts a twice-in-a-lifetime performance from nicolas cage .", "bad lieutenant : port of call , new orleans is a magnificent mess of the sort only herzog can get away with making .", "like the late klaus kinski , who so often played crazies in herzog 's earlier movies , cage is in your face all the way . laughing maniacally , lying with no sign of a conscience , he pushes the character 's frequent tantrums beyond over-the-top .", "cage can be loopy , weird and at the same time sympathetic -- crucial to our response to this character -- and herzog draws one of his better performances here .", "frankly , the story is n't remotely as interesting as cage . nothing is .", "do fish have dreams ? do they dream of ominous iguanas , perhaps ? or maybe the disembodied breakdancing souls of freshly capped gangsters ? more to the point , will nicolas cage ever make another movie that makes sense ?", "cage returns to resplendently weird form .", "the movie could have ended without the last few scenes and been far more tense and suspenseful . as it stands now , bad lieutenant : port of call new orleans plays as if schindler 's list ended with an energetic musical performance by the muppets .", "nicolas cage is so gleefully over-the-top as the troubled cop of the title that you will either be repulsed or fascinated by his performance and , since it lives or dies by it , the movie itself .", "this thriller is among the cleverest , most innovative films of the year . it proves that even a mediocre , b-movie script can be made memorable by a strong director and brave leading actor .", "as a police procedural , it 's a generally dull affair . as an exercise in silliness , it elicits a fair few laughs . but whether the joke 's on herzog or on us is anybody 's guess .", "there 's a dark , dark humour throughout that keeps the film from plunging into over-the-top farce . in the end , blt is a rambunctious , ridiculous feat of cinematic excess .", "any reservations that this is a straight forward remake of abel ferrara 's hardcore catholic redemption drama should be left on the wayside , for this bad lieutenant is a different monster all together .", "cage 's lieutenant mcdonagh is a parody of not just the actor 's own performances in recent years , but a gaudy exaggeration of every bad-cop clich\u00e9 out there .", "this will be remembered as one of cage 's finest performances . maybe he has just needed the right director and in eccentric german genius werner herzog he 's found him .", "i 'd rather rot in a new orleans jail than watch it again . and yet its epiphanies are outrageously sharp , it is beautifully shot by cinematographer peter zeitlinger and the ending is a joy .", "becomes bizarrely comical as it gets increasingly depraved . but herzog 's deliberately bonkers approach , matched by cage 's hammy performance , is strangely entertaining .", "herzog has found a perfect partner in crime with nicolas cage .", "for me , ferrara and keitel will always be the bad lieutenant , but werner herzog is probably the only director qualified to take this on , and his bizarre reboot has a fascination all of its own .", "if the new film commits the sin of entertainment , it 's redeemed by a sense of life 's contradictions and distinguished by surreal flourishes that include a pair of iguanas , slithery witnesses to terence 's mania .", "because so much of the film is ` oh , no , he 's not really going to do that oh yes he is ! ' fun , it 's impressive when herzog suddenly starts taking it all seriously .", "it 's cage 's best work in years .", "there can only ever be one bad lieutenant : harvey keitel .", "like a jumpy , coke-fueled pied piper , cage takes viewers to the very precipice of depraved self-abasement , while preserving just enough self-conscious humor to keep from tumbling in .", "the film is both a police thriller and a drug addled fantasy with an iguana for a guide and cage plays it like hunter s. thompson with a badge .", "there 's a valuable lesson to be learned from bad lieutenant : port of call new orleans : two wrongs do n't make a right -- it takes at least three .", "it 's a rare and precious thing when a filmmaker gets funding for a script that features a coked-out , oxycontined-out , sleep-deprived cage with a .44 magnum in his waistband , spewing lines like `` shoot him again ... his soul is still dancing . ''", "bad lieutenant : port of call new orleans -- why port of call ? what does that mean ? -- is no masterpiece , but it is undoubtedly the work of a master .", "cold-blooded reptiles are lurking everywhere in the slick new noir bad lieutenant : port of call new orleans , with snakes , iguanas , gators and especially nicolas cage at their slithering and cynical best .", "this is n't as over-the-top as , say , the wicker man . but it is an engaging cop caper complete with cage craziness , and that 's enough .", "even when the movie is not working , it 's never less than eye-catching . it 's also a perfect setting for cage 's curiously compelling art .", "it 's not always easy to sort out the legitimately inspired touches from the merely campy ones , but the film has a deranged , go-for-broke spirit that makes such distinctions irrelevant .", "a perfect , perfect prank .", "cage 's receding hairline and hunchback performance evokes conrad veidt -- a klaus kinski-like maniac -- because this is , in fact , a german expressionist horror film and comedy .", "drags harder than when herzog tried to pull that boat over a mountain", "herzog has found his ideal interpreter , a performer whose truth lies deep in the artifice of performance : ladies and gentlemen , nicolas cage , at his finest .", "finally , a role that makes sense for cage to play ... locking into the exhausted craziness he has unintentionally perfected in a handful of terrible movies .", "no one is better at this kind of performance than nicolas cage . he 's a fearless actor . he does n't care if you think he goes over the top . if a film calls for it , he will crawl to the top hand over hand with bleeding fingernails .", "outrageously enjoyable ... turns the genre conventions on their head to often uproarious effect .", "add director werner herzog to the mix , a guy who knows a thing or a hundred about obsessive protagonists , and we 're in for quite the ride -- wild and weird and blackly comic .", "herzog 's acting advice to cage to `` release the pig '' -lrb- ostensibly a bavarian saying -rrb- has resulted in perhaps the most memorable performance of cage 's career , and certainly the most over the top .", "making a bad movie this good is harder than it looks .", "the film is an exasperating bore .", "this time , it 's not nicolas cage 's fault : werner herzog has lost his mind .", "leave it to werner herzog to shoot a film in new orleans with not one image of the french quarter % u2013 and to harness nicolas cage 's razzie-worthy acting into something meaningful .", "the pairing of nicolas cage , one of the world 's most out-there actors , with werner herzog , cinema 's reigning madman-visionary , is a match made in looney-tunes heaven .", "a movie that ultimately has more cult than mass appeal , how much you enjoy bad lieutenant will probably come down to how much you like werner herzog rather than nicolas cage . a notoriously eccentric director , his latest film is nowhere near as mainstream", "i 'm pretty sure this would have made total sense if i was on some of the drugs that mcdonagh was taking", "it almost makes one angrier to think about the time cage has wasted on crap films when he should be doing interesting ones like this every single time .", "a fascinatingly complex film with intoxicating cross-currents of cynicism , tragedy , and absurdity .", "bad lieutenant does n't go where you expect , but it has a stubborn , trippy logic .", "your reaction to the whole thing probably depends on your general feelings about cage : fans will relish his unique brand of scenery-chewing ; non-fans are likely to be irritated .", "cage dives headlong into the madness . it 's plain fun to see the actor give himself so fully to a character after several years of mostly forgettable action movies .", "may not result in a coherent whole but nonetheless delivers bursts of random , inspired madness .", "it may not have the wounding thrust of ferrara 's , but it shares with that film a bottomless compassion for its crazies , to say nothing of the exhilaration of seeing a fearless director and a fearless actor pushing each other beyond extremes .", "it 's perhaps 2/3 of a good movie and 1/3 of material that feels out of place or is derivative .", "instead of plumbing the depths of spiritual degradation , herzog 's movie is -- largely due to cage 's performance -- almost fun .", "if there 's a sure thing in movies , it 's that if you cast nicolas cage in a role in which he goes crazy , he 'll rise to the occasion and keep on rising until he seems even loonier than his character .", "refreshingly loopy , as only nic cage can loop .", "... a b movie worth seeing , but there are times the weirdness seems forced and the only thing that feels authentic is the suggestion that cage might be more than a little mad .", "centered on a detective on the wrong side of the law , the film is manic its execution of plot , performance and photography .", "there is really no way to describe the playfulness and exquisite timing of the comedy in this film . it is partially herzog 's zany artistry , and partly cage 's masterful control of facial expressions and comic timing .", "it really is a jungle out there , and nicolas cage delivers a mesmerizingly unhinged performance as herzogian madman . .", "somehow this is fun -- a result of a unique synergy between cage and herzog .", "this is the perverted delirious bad lieutenant to see .", "certainly , it 's not a stretch to suggest that herzog has in cage found his most simp\u00e1tico lead since the great klaus kinski .", "iguanas aside , cage 's performance is the film 's centerpiece . he starts at over the top and climbs ever higher ...", "a tragedy replayed as farce , and probably the funniest film i 've seen all year .", "although it shares a title and a certain seedy charm with abel ferrara 's 1992 `` bad lieutenant , '' this remake really marches to the beat of its own , jittery , crack-addicted drummer .", "surely this is not meant to be taken seriously ?", "no film by herzog has ever been so defiantly mainstream - and yet this remains one of the director 's craziest , most outlandish affairs . finding a way out the other side of that contradiction is half the fun for the incredulous viewer", "... a surprisingly compelling piece of work that 'll undoubtedly -lrb- and deservedly -rrb- earn itself a cult following in the years to come ...", "a powerfully loony portrait of american rot .", "just as ridiculous as the title implies , this ill-conceived sequel to abel ferrara 's masterpiece -lrb- `` bad lieutenant '' - 1992 -rrb- picks up some grains of muscular grit under the unlikely werner herzog 's guidance , but flails every step of the way .", "barely a remake of ferrara 's superior 1992 indie , herzog 's sleazy , erratic , often silly policier is enjoyable on its own terms , and the main reason to see it is nicolas cage 's wildly eccentric , justifiably over-the-top performance .", "there 's much to be said for a movie that portrays as much imperfection as life itself and , clearly , herzog and company have a ball in creating it for us .", "it 's powerful material for werner herzog , a premier chronicler of the madness of men , and nicolas cage , who brings a fevered intensity to every project he takes on .", "bad lieutenant is all kinds of wrong , but it feels oh so right .", "if you 're wondering just how bad a bad lieutenant can be , let 's just say that nicolas cage 's 21st century re-incarnation of abel ferrara 's original 1992 cult version , to say the least , renders harvey keitel 's bad apple psycho cop a saint in comparison .", "is redemption possible for this bad lieutenant ? at one point , he orders that a dead man be shot again because `` his soul is still dancing . '' if you find god in that line , then welcome to your movie heaven .", "despite the snake slither-swimming through the bars of a flooded cellblock , the injured alligator and the iguanas that seem to be crooning johnny adams ' ` release me , ' star nicolas cage may be the most reptilian presence here ...", "-lsb- cage is -rsb- hilarious , scary , contorted , mournful , mean and weirdly , monstrously lovable -- the perfect actor to work with one of the world 's most stubborn , bold , idiosyncratic filmmakers .", "nicolas cage 's deliriously unhinged portrayal of the film 's titular bent cop ranks right up there with his most memorably off-kilter performances .", "sometimes a scene is a set up for a future plot twist , and sometimes werner herzog just wants to film some alligators . who knows what 'll happen ? it 's like filling your underpants with salamanders .", "if herzog had chosen realism over surrealism , this film would have been predictable and unentertaining . as it is , i found it oddly captivating . this is one weird movie .", "herzog wades deep into the swampy funk of new orleans , which in this post-katrina setting might as well be an end-of-the-world movie . he 's clearly turned on by -lsb- its -rsb- weirdness , the casual corruption , the gangsterism and the southern gothic outrageousnes .", "this movie has no focus , no point of view and nothing to say . is this a sendup ? is this an actual thriller ? is this just a look into the soul of a drug addict ? i have no idea , and i do n't think werner herzog knows either .", "perhaps it took a director as crazy as werner herzog to control -lrb- and ultimately unleash -rrb- the madness that exists within cage ... they craft a character not unlike a modern day daniel plainview .", "bad lieutenant , bad !", "cage and herzog have created a superbly memorable lead character , and if the plot itself is curiously unmemorable , certain images will stay with you to the grave ...", "cage does bad so good . here\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- s hoping he keeps the crazy coming .", "as his 1996 oscar for leaving las vegas proved , nicolas cage is at his best when sailing close to the edge with substance abuse , though some viewers will baulk when he takes out his misdirected anger on a defenceless old lady .", "in fusing european experimentalism and hollywood boldness , herzog has created a genuine oddity , a furious and unforgettable hybrid which may well prove to be 2010 's most purely enjoyable moviegoing experience .", "it 's every cop show clich\u00e9 reflected in a hall of mirrors -- wholly indecent fun .", "herzog has unique flair , but it 's out of synch with the genre . as for cage , he is a flailing madman and the only polite thing to do is look away .", "viewers will fall into two camps -- those who think it 's a mentally unstable mess , and those who think it 's a work of insane genius . ca n't it be both ?", "as always with herzog , the more eccentric scenes have an eerie , hilarious mastery . and only someone with the metaphysical \u00e9lan of herzog could pull off a film noir that takes place mostly in fierce sunlight .", "despite ... minor gripes , this is cage 's best film in years , an anarchic gumbo of subverted cop thriller clich\u00e9s and surreal set-pieces that 's destined to become a cult classic .", "nicolas cage gives one of the best performances of his career in this borderline insane film ...", "herzog is having every bit as much fun as cage here , toying with renegade cop movie cliches and working in a pulpy mode he has n't touched for a while .", "a vividly acted and directed movie that stretches the boundaries of its genre and keeps you in its ever-unpredictable grip throughout .", "original , offbeat and rewarding cop story with nicolas cage in great form .", "what makes this film truly different is the unique tone introduced by director werner herzog .", "the film is offbeat , silly , disarming and loopy all at the same time , and viewers will decide to ride with that or just give up on it , according to mood and disposition .", "a depraved , perfect storm of cinema .", "the script has some scuzzy , jokey appeal , and i like it that instead of trying to hide them , herzog tosses the movie 's ridiculous coincidences right in our faces as if daring us to duck .", "a bizarre amalgam of source material , director and star that 's just nutso enough to work", "cage and herzog click together better than just about any first-time actor & director combination in recent memory .", "nicolas cage is out of his mind in the bad lieutenant : port of call -- new orleans . and it 's wonderful to see .", "while watching cage in bad lieutenant i felt like a crack fiend myself : no matter how much i got it was never going to be enough .", "as usual , herzog works the madness for any poetry he can find ...", "i think i had more fun watching bad lieutenant : port of call new orleans -lrb- twice -rrb- than i did at any other movie this year .", "thisbad lieutenant 's pain is less punishment than righteous realignment , a reflection of the nutty , debased , and utterly chaotic world around him . he 's not deviant . he 's the new normal .", "even if it 's not classic noir , this high tension , fast-paced film about an extremely unsympathetic character is still entertaining .", "cage 's increasingly crazed and manic performance is very watchable .", "werner herzog 's bad lieutenant remake is a hugely entertaining , brilliantly directed and completely insane thriller with a hilarious script and a gloriously bonkers performance from nicolas cage .", "diferente do original em tom e estrutura , este novo filme do mestre werner herzog carrega propositalmente na bizarrice de seu protagonista , suavizando sua deprimente decad\u0119ncia a ponto de torn\u00e1-la grotescamente divertida .", "you 'll go a long way to find anything playing right now that 's as downright peculiar as werner herzog 's the bad lieutenant : port of call -- new orelans .", "no one can breathe life into a crazed character like nicolas cage can .", "nicolas cage goes off the deep end even more than usual in the crazily entertaining , werner herzog-helmed bad lieutenant : port of call new orleans .", "a vicodin-coke-heroine habit propels nicolas cage 's warped detective as the big emoter scores in the big easy . werner herzog 's bad lt. is genuinely weird entertaiment .", "sometimes director werner herzog - a master , for nearly four decades , at blending the bizarre and the mundane - does let you in on cage 's motives . but just as often , he delivers a life , and a world , of random mayhem .", "in a year filled with audacity -lrb- antichrist , inglourious basterds -rrb- , nothing is cheekier and as out and out ballsy as the bad lieutenant : port of call - new orleans .", "cage , who usually goes gonzo with gusto , underplays this monster . that spoils the fun ." ], "summary": "befitting its unorthodox origins , this bad lieutenant benefits from werner herzog 's typically fearless direction and a delightfully unhinged nicolas cage in the title role .", "id": "770783617" }, { "movie": "mr-nobody", "reviews": [ "` mr. nobody ' jumps around in a rather haphazard way , so it seems too chaotic most of the time . it 's creative , but quite perplexing .", "most viewers will have settled into a state of detached admiration . in the end , mr. nobody 's title is simply too apt .", "the only truly graspable notion the film can be said to put forth is one of increasingly tedious sci-fi-romantic genre busy-ness .", "this sprawling , ambitious sci-fi epic has a keen visual sense and a genuine interest in its deep topics .", "too strange for wide release , too provocative and arresting to sit on the shelf", "a thoughtful investigation into the different variations of all our lives : the daydreams , the anxious worst-case scenarios , the futile digressions that went nowhere .", "messy but intriguing science-fiction film .", "the aptly titled nobody is just a white ball bouncing around the roulette wheel , as likely to land on this number as the next . it 's fun to watch `` mr. nobody '' go round and round , but where it lands does n't really matter to us .", "this big-budget english-language co-production shows that europeans can compete in the sci-fi realm where high production values are king .", "jaco van dormael 's most ambitious film to date is a mess and a miracle at the same time .", "never mind that several characters seem to gain or lose british accents throughout the course of the film . the lack of continuity only enhances the sense of deliciously dizzying disequilibrium .", "a passionate , thoughtful , and inquisitive exploration of the meaning of life .", "while visual excess and occasional thematic bombast softens mr. nobody at times , the film nevertheless has poignant , often profound things to say about fate , mortality , consequence and love .", "ambitious as all get out and a wonder from start to finish .", "too clinical to have an emotional impact , not romantic enough to engage a standard audience , and not smart enough for viewers looking for an intellectual experience .", "complex , visually stunning , and pleasantly convoluted , this is a film that seems like it ca n't be confined to one genre and while time flows in one continuous direction mr. nobody makes it a point to constantly pedal in the opposite direction .", "there are times when the film is entirely lucid in the points it wants to get across on love and the various choices we have to make throughout our lives , while at other times it seems lost in its overabundance of possibilities .", "-lsb- writer-director -rsb- van dormael seems unsure of what exactly it is he 's trying to say , and thus mr. nobody rambles on for nearly two and a half hours .", "at the 44-minute mark -lrb- i checked -rrb- of ` mr. nobody , ' i loudly sighed and asked , `` good god , when the hell is this movie going to start ! ''", "as philosophy , mr. nobody seems sillier than it is profound . but in a parallel reality , more movies would have this degree of insane ambition .", "this is thought provoking without pretentiousness , full of ideas and passion that deserves a wide audience ... giving oneself over to the film is a pleasure that 's not soon to be repeated .", "expect the unexpected . try to answer the unanswerable question that writer-director van dormael poses . it is a worthwhile exercise .", "a film that has a beating heart underneath its messy -- though breathtakingly designed -- exterior .", "van dormael 's almost avant-garde modus operandi cements the movie 's place as a love-it-or-hate-it proposition .", "i relate to most movies by thinking about my past . mr. nobody has me evaluating my future .", "while mr. nobody contains some truly moving scenes , it eventually starts to try your concentration when you suspect all the space/time continuum shuffling may never become more than the sum of its parts .", "both overblown and half-baked , too long and not edited enough , mr. nobody describes exactly the kind of audience it will likely get .", "with the film 's maddening circular structure and often thudding visual expositions , the experience of watching it is n't quite as enjoyable as a description might augur ." ], "summary": "mr. nobody 's narrative tangles may bedevil as much as they entertain , but its big ambitions and absorbing visuals make for an intriguing addition to director jaco van dormael 's filmography .", "id": "770682443" }, { "movie": "rois_et_reine", "reviews": [ "a welter of narrative complication and piercing drama shot through with a rich vein of absurdist humor .", "taps into universal themes and archetypes .", "there 's no ready capsule description of kings and queen , but its fluid , dynamic approach to melodrama and two compelling central performances create an impressive portrait of intertwined lives .", "devos , in her calm , intelligent way , leads you through this rock pile of intimacies and enigmas with a magnetism that fastens you even as the fatigue becomes laborious .", "the movie , directed by arnaud desplechin and written by him with roger bohbot , begins as such a straightforward portrait of ordinary life that it 's unsettling to find layer after layer of reality peeled away .", "kings and queen is a marvelously textured and civilized study of two tormented souls finding redemption not in each other , but in themselves and in other people .", "it is the story , with its sleight of hand manner of making you believe one thing only to have the truth be something very different , that makes kings and queen special .", "somewhere buried in the plodding morass of kings and queen exists a taut , twisting psychological puzzler .", "the film is delectable and keeps you eager to see what 's served next , but also is ridiculously rich , overly long and difficult to digest . still , it 's a feast you wo n't want to miss .", "a richly observed study of the sticky complexities of family dynamics .", "if the film is less than the sum of its parts , then some of those parts are touched by genius .", "this movie , however incomplete and frustrating , is also fully alive and extraordinarily intelligent .", "it 's terrific filmmaking .", "features royally messed-up , complex characters magnetically portrayed by devos and amalric .", "it 's hugely ambitious , with a sweeping range of character types , frequently shifting moods , stylistic flourishes of many kinds , and some mighty wry satire , aimed largely at the world of psychotherapy .", "this tragic/comedic hodgepodge remains unconvincing , mostly due to the casting .", "devos , as nora , does much to hold it all together with a layered performance . almaric has powerful moments as well , notably in a climactic rambling monologue about life he delivers to the boy .", "an emotional jigsaw that will keep you engrossed for days , maybe years .", "arnaud desplechin 's sprawling drama exudes a go-for-broke determination that is frustrating and exhilarating .", "an abundance of characters in a film that skillfully combines melodrama with comedy .", "` kings & queen ' has the makings of two decent movies but is helter-skelter overstuffed for one .", "might be -lsb- desplechin 's -rsb- finest film to date .", "arnaud desplechin 's marvelous melodrama sprawls far and wide before coming finally together in a richly satisfying end .", "while these characters ' lives are melodramatic , individual scenes burst with kinetic energy from fast editing and an script that deftly underscores the destructive nature of male-female relationships .", "this is a first-rate melo-dramedy under the influence of director arnaud desplechin .", "... desplechin pulls his elements together like some kind of grand symphony", "a complex , character-driven film that never allows its themes - madness , love , coming of age - to become reducible to pat formulae , or over-sentimentalisation .", "a highly unstable compound of melodrama and offbeat comedy that elicits more shrugs of confusion than sighs of satisfaction", "desplechin 's big , bold , iconoclastic feature MOV is a disconcerting film that can turn your head at the oddest moments .", "its novelistic breadth , pitched intensity and on-the-fly shooting style pull the viewer smack-dab into the middle of these lives .", "i ca n't quite get my head around it ; ismael is too cartoony and nora is too icy .", "funny , absurd , often mocking itself and always quoting cultural history .", "the film proves , at the very least , that desplechin is a director that garners due attention", "-lsb- m -rsb- ixes with aplomb equal measures of intellectual screwball comedy and dark metaphysical tragedy , though part of the joke may be that one often ca n't tell which is which ...", "kings and queen , full of passion and humor , madness and grief , is close to a masterpiece .", "his scenes ripple with undercurrents of awkward emotions ... creating a film both devastating and uplifting , but he passes no judgments .", "both leisurely and breathtakingly immediate .", "kings and queen is at times compelling , at times devastating , and at times long-winded .", "it is well-acted and written with a rigorous effort to skirt cliche , and it has the savor of real life throughout .", "great filmmaking and , as does not always follow , a great film .", "there 's a looseness to the camera work and storytelling that 's appealingly breezy : this film feels , for better or worse , like real life .", "heroic and absurdist ...", "an extraordinary work with depth , suspense , startling surprises , a unique combination of perspectives .", "arnaud desplechin 's domestic comedy-drama spins emotions like plates in a variety show .", "by tempering the mania and offsetting the edginess of the deeply imperfect characters in this ambitiously free-form film , desplechin offers that most old-form of balms -- compassion .", "kings and queen is a fascinating french film filled with keen observations on sexual politics , psychology , and family roles .", "contemporary and specific ... but the melodramas also play out on a universal plane , like the lives of the gods .", "it 's a puzzle of a film , but not the kind that intimidates you with inscrutability so much as one that beckons you into its antic eccentricity .", "an intelligent story is being told here in a very artful manner . that 's quite a worthy accomplishment . i think .", "the film is a soap opera that through layering and texture is made into something rich , strange , and unforgettable .", "this enjoyable french pic welds together drama , melodrama and comedy in a blend with potentially strong european audience appeal .", "an extravagant doodle dealing with family and mental illness , this is arnaud desplechin 's most straightforward and scattershot film to date .", "desplechin 's fascinating characters are not always in sync with the demands of the story ; it wants to be told in less than 2 hours and with a greater focus on its core themes .", "-lsb- desplechin -rsb- gives these characters the time to develop , to display their nuances , to establish their relationships with each other , to talk out their destinies .", "category-defying film that 's as smart and emotionally resonant as it is entertaining ." ], "summary": "a dryly comic , stylistically brave film .", "id": "17164" }, { "movie": "the_place_beyond_the_pines_2012", "reviews": [ "gosling and cooper in a movie ? yeah , you should go .", "by the time director and co-writer derek cianfrance gets to the third act , it 's a soap opera and not a very good one .", "the mythically tinged final scene brings events full circle in a way that is superficially satisfying while also conceding that the movie 's chief concern is men and the art of motorcycle maintenance .", "it allows you to really observe its characters and to ponder the themes that fuel the plot . for that reason , it is a film that makes a deeply emotional impact .", "dove into deep psychological turf but without coming up with significant insights .", "`` it 's up to the actors to figure this out , and they try ... but MOV displays a strange paternalistic streak . ''", "the most satisfying cinematic experience we 've had at the multiplex thus far this year , and largely through its disinterest in playing along with movie trends .", "a film of two distinct halves and it works to provide a dual character study of paternity and legacy", "great cast but the script meanders and ends up nowhere .", "not since steve mcqueen has any man looked cooler on a motorbike . men admire him , women adore him , ryan gosling proves again , he is the most dynamic film star working in cinema today .", "the movie settles into conventional rhythms once the focus shifts to bradley cooper and completely loses its way after that .", "this triptych about fathers , sons and the determinism of class is two-thirds of a terrific film . the last part is a letdown because the first are so powerfully believable .", "as schematic as a family tree .", "the picture plays out almost as ritual -- a dark , hypnotic experience .", "this entire saga climaxes in an a moment of catharsis that feels remarkably pat and simplistic .", "structured as a triptych , the movie is novelistic , earnest and somewhat exhausting - an ambitious effort that tries to be many things .", "its ambitions - even its unrealized ones - are a great part of its power .", "the movie is intimate in its telling , sweeping in its issues and stumbles only occasionally .", "for the most part ... this is self-serious stuff , seething with ambition but almost devoid of spontaneity , and ultimately drained of genuine energy .", "each chapter of MOV gets successively less interesting than the last ...", "the film is so velvety textured and dreamy , i would 've stuck around for more . that is cianfrance 's special talent .", "cianfrance handles these large leaps in time with grace ; he does n't seem to leave anything out . his camera lingers generously over small moments so that no character gets lost in time .", "MOV is a deeply affecting family drama about paternal responsibility , a riveting crime story , a cop movie and a tragedy .", "... the best kind of film : big enough to be bracing , but small enough to draw you right in , and then exercise a firm , vice-like grip .", "it 's the interesting characters and their thought-provoking choices that make this film so compelling .", "an ambitious and twisting crime drama about fathers , sons and responsibility .", "cianfrance creates a layered and moving portrait of working-class life , of people trying -- in many of the wrong ways -- to improve lives for themselves and the generations to come .", "this ambitious tale of tragedy and redemption among fathers and sons is told in three parts and , despite a superb performance from ryan gosling , is less than the sum of its parts .", "gosling delivers his most assured performance yet , in an ambitious , near-operatic drama-thriller that boldly unfolds across two distinctly different hours .", "with the final act , as we see the longer term impact of earlier actions , the film attains something akin to epic status , stirring notions of classic greek tragedy before scaling back and completing itself as a contemporary morality tale", "mike patton 's grumbling song the weight of consequences eloquently reflects the hard-hitting theme of this provocative and gripping film in which three troubled roads are travelled", "if , in the end , the film ca n't quite sustain its epic vision , it does , along the way , achieve the density and momentum of a good novel .", "it 's one of the best and most ambitious films of the year .", "an immensely thoughtful and well-constructed evolutionary analysis of the origins of crime , and how it subtly perpetuates throughout generations .", "a three-part epic of fathers and sons , criminality and the law that is beautifully crafted . unfortunately what could have been a great film becomes contrived when the filmmaker turns his focus to his first generation 's progeny ...", "-lsb- MOV -rsb- a beast of a movie , an emotional roller coaster that threatens to go off the rails , and does .", "this is a big movie with a lot on its mind . slowly , it unfolds into a kind of epic .", "the movie , which holds your attention from moment to moment , by the end leaves you grasping for the experience you have n't had .", "this emotionally ambitious mess has faults to spare , but there 's also something fuzzily honest about it .", "although MOV is not an unqualified success , when cianfrance stumbles , it 's because he 's reaching for greatness ...", "to the film 's credit , it 's damn near impossible to imagine where MOV will end based on where it begins , even though its ever-widening scope causes it to lose some of the grubby intensity of its early scenes .", "the movie looks great throughout , blending action , urban drama and family melodrama with a dark , thrumming undertone that holds them together .", "it 's a good movie , no doubt , but it 's nowhere close to the achievement `` blue valentine '' was .", "the reach of ` MOV ' exceeds its grasp , and the result is intermittently powerful but ultimately disappointing .", "while it is still a rewarding film on face value , MOV offers additional pleasures for viewers keen to delve further .", "bleak , raw , epic and vibrating with energy , pines is a film to haunt your dreams , and , so far , the best thing i 've seen in a cinema in 2013 .", "would pines have worked better as a 13-episode cable drama ? probably . yet its atmosphere comes through beautifully on the big screen .", "a memorable , thoughtful tale ; a thriller with real meat on the bone .", "by linking -lsb- three vignettes -rsb- , cianfrance explores larger themes that enrich the otherwise patience-testing 140-minute experience .", "while it feels frustratingly disjointed , MOV also possesses moments of real power .", "a huge leap forward for cianfrance , who is rapidly distinguishing himself as a true auteur .", "`` place beyond the pines '' will not lift spirits . yet there are hints of hope attached to the film 's view that change is possible -- if people can just get out of their own way .", "the film is unfortunately front-loaded with more art movie cliches than you can count , but once they get out the way the trans-generational story does close its grip on you .", "cianfrance uses the film 's gritty visuals to enhance the character 's experiences , starting with a vibe reminiscent of a 90 's thrash metal video clip , then moving into police footage territory before ultimately setting a wistful tone for the third act .", "the quality of the filmmaking is irreproachable ; swathes of originality outweigh the odd recourse to clich\u00e9 ; and the merit of the storytelling at times matches the film 's colossal ambition .", "if there are better films this year , then we are in luck . if it opened in december it would seem a major event .", "an action thriller of alienation and broken dreams passed from generation to generation make this a thoroughly entertaining 140 minutes .", "`` the place in the pines '' -lsb- is -rsb- a case of steadily diminishing returns .", "`` MOV '' earns every second of its 140-minute running time .", "you watch what happens , often dreading the worst . even when the worst comes , though , it comes with honor and a kind of grace .", "it 's ambitious and unusual , to say the least , but i think it works because it 's honest .", "attempts to depict a vicious circle of anguish that 's as profound as a stacked deck eventually tipping over .", "while the cumulative effect is modest , the ideas are difficult to dismiss .", "MOV is ten pounds of film stuffed into a five-pound movie .", "honestly , they could just call it bluer valentine : drive faster ... see , in one movie he 's a stuntman who drives getaway . in this movie he robs banks with a motorcycle , so it 's totally different !", "overlong and under-conceived .", "the result is an oddly broken-backed narrative , with three distinct chapters and no central character to carry the narrative . the ambition , to tell a complex story over two generations , is laudable , but the result is n't entirely satisfying .", "morality is flexible and self-interest is paramount . another terrific collaboration between director and star .", "an epic soap opera obscured by high style and buoyed by ryan gosling 's 8-pack abs , MOV is really nothing more than delicious drivel masquerading as a serious drama .", "the film never reaches a climax because it 's always in one , distilling the lives of its characters to their tensest moments .", "a sweeping , bold and admirably ambitious crime movie triptych , which almost compensates for its occasional overreaching with sheer bravado and fully committed performances .", "most every element of the film is impeccable .", "an unbalanced dual narrative plays out in derek cianfrance 's -lrb- `` blue valentine '' -rrb- unsteady attempt to extract universal truths about unintended legacies passed down from father to son .", "while cianfrance 's overambitious narrative and crash-y conclusion come perilously close to bringing the film to its knees , the electrifying first half more than compensates .", "with MOV , derek cianfrance definitively establishes himself as an up-and-coming filmmaker with serious potential ...", "stretches the scope of the film well beyond crime thriller .", "`` MOV '' is a great example of daring storytelling and easily qualifies as one of the year 's best .", "bites off a little more than it can chew in that respect , but it 's still a deeply affecting drama with a powerful impact .", "derek cianfrance 's MOV is an epic film that towers high above the rest as the very best film of 2013 .", "writer-director derek cianfrance gained considerable attention for his 2010 drama blue valentine , and he has created an even finer movie with MOV .", "the movie is constructed like a three-act saga , with only the third part failing to satisfy .", "terrifically captivating , whether delivering breathless action , knuckle-whitening suspense or moments of quiet intimacy .", "an ambitious and thought-provoking film with a beautiful score and some of the biggest narrative twists of the year .", "motivation is the weak link here , with characters major and minor making choices that do n't compute and/or serve mainly to advance the narrative down the next twist of track toward the tragedy looming on the horizon .", "it feels like an act of subversion in the movie culture of the moment ... to create a film this satisfyingly meandering , as if it 's discovering how loose and confounding reality can be as it goes along ...", "you ca n't say cianfrance lacks ambition and reach , but you start to wonder if the writer-director lost interest in his own project , or someone told him to hustle his bustle and forced him to race to the finishing point during the script stage .", "cianfrance places himself alongside paul thomas anderson , robert altman and other masters of storytelling on a grand scale .", "go in knowing as little as possible and prepare to be blown away by derek cianfrance 's american crime drama masterpiece .", "carefully observed and consistently compelling , it feels like an instant american classic , if a minor one .", "with an extra hour 's runtime this could have been a masterpiece . as things stand , it 's an admirable curiosity .", "other than a somewhat vanilla ending , and a question or two that goes unanswered , `` MOV '' grabs hold and never lets up .", "MOV is impeccably crafted and mike patton 's orchestrations beautifully underscore the inner turmoil .", "a beautifully shot , emotionally engaging smalltown crime drama with a pair of terrific performances from ryan gosling and bradley cooper ...", "`` MOV '' is a defining accomplishment for cianfrance . those 47 days filming in schenectady really paid off .", "with a dash of gritty crime drama , truly compelling characters and top-notch acting from cooper and gosling , derek cianfrance 's `` MOV '' is a must-see .", "try to imagine ` crash ' as written and directed by james gray and you might come close to conceptualizing this beguiling film .", "a film this well-constructed , superbly acted , and thoughtfully humanistic is rare ; it 's the kind of movie many people say ca n't get made any more .", "melancholy , mature drama explores father-son themes .", "a technically brilliant film , but a bummer that 's more about inevitability than possibility . sidenote : the baby actor 's name is `` anthony pizza jr. . ''", "the crime and police genres used to give `` pines '' its forward motion are rarely seen with such a remarkable degree of sensitivity .", "like a four-hour miniseries crammed into a 90-minute time slot .", "place beyond the pines manages to illustrate the ravages of family and legacy almost as effectively as blue valentine did the ravages of romantic connection .", "... promising way more than it can ever hope to deliver in what suddenly seems like a too-short two-and-half-hours .", "a brilliant , towering picture , MOV is a cinematic accomplishment of extraordinary grace and insight .", "a superb drama that is focuses unflinchingly on the often anguished relationship between men and their boys , between men and other men , and between men and themselves .", "there is true beauty in the despair that pervades `` MOV . ''", "MOV is ambitious and epic , perhaps to a fault .", "my admiration for cianfrance is all the greater for the melodramatic risks he 's willing to take , whether or not every last one of them pays off .", "lengthy and dense film packed with a handful of great performances , MOV has great ambition but not nearly enough accomplishment .", "a film so thematically and dramatically rich , soulful and suspenseful , it carves itself into your consciousness and refuses to leave .", "an epic crime sage that constantly subverts audience expectations.incredible .", "the opening chapter with a compelling ryan gosling as a motorcycle-daredevil bank robber is the strongest element of this three-part drama about fathers , sons and fate .", "gosling gives his most open and engaging performance yet , his sleepy , woozy mannerisms developing into a complex interior world of hurt , resentment and disappointment .", "this is great american cinema of the type we keep worrying we 've already lost . behind its puppy-dog eyes burns a fierce intelligence .", "cianfrance and his sterling cast keep it all together , vanquishing doubt and soap suds . there 's a palpable sense of teamwork that brings out the best in all of these players .", "this is a story about legacy , the sins of the father , the restlessness in our souls . it 's powerful , it 's bold , it hits you hard .", "-lsb- its -rsb- `` sins of the father '' theme is vaguely reminiscent of `` the godfather . '' but it 's really about the way the safety of our family is always on our minds but usually out of our control .", "fathers , sons , and motorbikes .", "`` MOV '' is an ambitious drama about the ways in which one bad decision can reverberate across generations .", "its three stories are so loosely connected , its themes so scattered -- morality , justice , fate , fatherhood -- that it never manages to make a point .", "MOV has an unpretentious power that sneaks up on viewers ; it 's over before you realize it 's one of the year 's finer films so far .", "it 's an intriguing , long , imperfect film that loosens in the middle and then again towards the end - but those are the parts some will come out liking the most .", "with the arrival of MOV , the american dramatic film has found a loyal , gifted advocate in director derek cianfrance .", "MOV is both unique and satisfying in the way it comes full circle and is so engrossing thanks to how lugubrious it is in nature .", "MOV is one of the most ambitious and accomplished films of the year , a sweeping , searing family drama that packs a devastating emotional punch .", "in trying to tell an enormous amount of story it can spread itself too thin and leave some strands feeling unfinished , but when it 's at its best , this is beautiful and bold filmmaking .", "more thematically dense and ambitious than any crime film you 'll see this year and with an incredible ensemble , MOV is the kind of daring , adult drama that critics bemoan does n't get made nearly enough .", "the cumulative result is a picture that explores interesting themes and features solid to strong performances , but takes a few missteps along the way . -lrb- complete content details for parents also available -rrb-", "as the sum of some admittedly imperfect parts , `` MOV '' still manages to cast its own haunting , sorrowful spell .", "in a bold follow-up to his controversially rated , critically lauded blue valentine , derek cianfrance continues his exploration of family ties with MOV .", "a little too convenient at sorting out its plot threads , but nevertheless remains a tough , compelling , uncompromising experience .", "-lsb- t -rsb- he passage of time highlights the passing of our emotional connection .", "not nearly as strong as cianfrance 's previous movie , but it comes across as an interesting dramatic storytelling experiment that ultimately pays off .", "` MOV ' comes readymade with a heft ... as if students have been banging out essays on -lsb- it -rsb- for years .", "it sounds ungrateful to complain that MOV is ambitious to a fault . but cianfrance is capable of shapelier cinema .", "it 's a masterpiece , this thing , but it 's exhausting to take in .", "`` pines '' is hardy stuff , but it 's at its toughest when gosling 's on screen .", "MOV is hackneyed and dull : not a single moment rings true .", "smart and challenging , it 's one of the best movies of the year .", "cianfrance traces a tale familiar in its outlines but fascinating in its particulars .", "the ... stories mesh uneasily , even though the film-making is smart throughout and the acting often more than that .", "with wonderfully drawn -- and acted -- characters , it becomes an engrossing and compelling drama built on a powerful sense of emotion .", "cianfrance has n't figured out what he wants to say , but he spends a lot of time and energy trying to say it .", "gosling is phenomenal , the direction is inspiring , and it 's incredibly ambitious . but it is a little too ambitious for its own good , and that 's what holds it back from being great . still , i would say it 's definitely worth your time .", "fine , fine , it 's an epic . now let us up for air , please .", "despite incomprehensible miscasting of cohen as the son of cooper and byrne , this is an engrossing film . the acting of the entire cast is superb and cianfrance directs with a deft touch .", "an impressive piece of american filmmaking that 's every bit as compelling as it is annoyingly flawed .", "140 minutes , but a safe bet if you 're in search of entertainment ...", "-lsb- a -rsb- thoughtful and often powerful film ...", "with more than 50 speaking roles , the film easily could have sprawled out of control into a predictable epic . but `` MOV '' holds enough intimacy - and surprise - to satisfy .", "there is an inevitability to the story , which builds tension like a snowball propelled by an avalanche . cianfrance invests it with a sense of tragedy that 's shakespearean .", "an interesting movie , followed by a less interesting movie , followed by a third movie that 's even weaker", "there 's a distinct feeling that the movie is trapped in its own pop psychology .", "sure to inspire indifference and cultish admiration in nearly equal measure , this extravagant mess may someday be re-evaluated as a misunderstood masterpiece .", "-lsb- ryan -rsb- gosling duly burns up the screen during every wonderful second he 's on it -lrb- ... -rrb- the film 's first half is truly mesmerising . you ca n't take your eyes off its leading man .", "all three parts come together to make `` MOV '' a beautifully shot film ... it 's the story that fades , and no amount of photography can create enough distraction to overlook those .", "this naturalistic drama is ambitious to the point of being unwieldy ... but once the story has advanced from one generation to the next and its thematic sweep has become apparent , these flaws seem much more tolerable .", "it 's a movie that makes you think -- if not outright say -- you 're a good guy . you do n't have to do something this stupid . oh , now look what you 've gone and done .", "somber and suspenseful , if self-indulgent , identity story about fathers and sins .", "the good parts are so good , and the bad parts are so bad , that there 's not even a way to calculate an average .", "derek cianfrance leads us on a long , gritty , humanly flawed , densely emotional journey beyond the pines , but it 's hard not to recognize his brilliant vision and execution upon reaching the final destination .", "an over-stuffed , hyper-pulpy , and mostly trite trifurcated drama about family , crime , and moral ambiguity .", "MOV wants to be a deep-dish meditation on fathers , sons , and the consequences of the decisions we make . but it 's a slow-burner that burns so slowly its wick completely fizzles out .", "even when the story falters , cianfrance has assembled a pretty great cast to give his ideas life . you may not always buy the movie , but you buy the people in it .", "`` MOV '' aims admirably for an epic sense of greek tragedy , and it does have some powerful individual moments , but the characters are all so underdeveloped that the whole effort feels like studied posturing .", "mr. cianfrance 's artistic vision catapults it above the limitations of contrivance and into a realm of constantly evolving shifts of tone and mood .", "it 's easy to roll your eyes at the film 's overreach , but every movie should be so flawed", "... strives to be a moving , epic family drama spanning 17 years , two families , two generations and 140 minutes . alas , it loses both momentum and impact the further it ventures into its broken narrative .", "i absolutely loved `` MOV '' right up until i hated it .", "a powerful , towering , yet intimately-told epic with excellent performances , a unique structure , and a story told with as much passion and angst as the myriad sons in the film .", "by the third story , in a movie that is two hours and twenty minutes long , i had grown weary of the film 's heavy-handedness", "what cianfrance has written has scraps of surprise and a fine chase sequence , but it does n't reach for the stars or the emotional cosmos -- or , at least , it does n't know how to get there .", "cianfrance does n't always connect , but when he does , watch out", "derek cianfrance could probably be a great filmmaker if he was n't trying so hard to be a great filmmaker", "utterly compelling with a magic wand of storytelling from writer/director derek cianfrance along with co-writers ben coccio and darius marber , MOV is one of the more natural and stylistic endeavors of 2013 .", "MOV is n't a bad movie ; it 's three bad movies strung together by implausible logic .", "a jumbled triptych that frequently meanders without finding its center .", "MOV is a heart-wrenching epic poem that quashes the delusion that sons wo n't be affected by the actions of their fathers .", "shot in melancholic , muted tones , MOV paints a gorgeous portrait of rural america , surrounded by expansive views of the countryside that hint at a deep history .", "mainstream audiences may be disappointed that this is n't a gritty thriller pitting the acting talents of gosling and cooper against each other , as it 's instead a boldly artful , often moving drama .", "somehow , perhaps to the credit of the disarming gosling and even cooper , who perfectly delivers the hero-cop-turned-pariah , cianfrance keeps us absorbed through three very intimate and heart-rending character studies .", "the actors lift the story above and beyond .", "pines intrigues then pulls its punches", "basically a two act play , `` MOV '' attempts to be a clever puzzle but by the time the pieces are put into place you just want to sweep the whole thing off the table", "roger ebert once said , ` it 's not what a movie is about , it 's how it is about it , ' and that applies 100 percent to this movie , a haunting film that makes something new out of the tradition of sprawling epic tragedies told in linear fashion .", "a great film that captures how every decision you make has its repercussions .", "like cianfrance 's blue valentine , which also starred gosling , this film deepens with a second viewing , the repeats , coincidences and echoes in scenes creating almost a genetic memory of a previous life .", "duck out at the 110 minute mark and do n't look back .", "a somber and striking drama that takes some wrong turns but features a charismatic performance from ryan gosling in the leanest and best of its three sections .", "cianfrance shows a continuing maturity in his filmmaking style , and once again shows a talent for narrative complexity .", "a film for sinners that ca n't even bother to see the fun and comfort in sinning .", "MOV is an engrossing , extremely well designed and acted film .", "you 'll definitely feel the 2-plus hours run time , but i was more than happy to do so .", "a worthy endeavor that is still good , however i bet that falls short of it 's lofty goals .", "the segments are essentially monodramas , so sketchily written that the big moments feel less like recognizable human behavior than recognizable screenwriter overreaching .", "MOV is classic melodrama ... the kind hollywood made in black and white", "the film dazzles , surprises and amazes if , ultimately , it turns into a moody , meandering thriller-drama that falls slightly short of the mark and its bold , epic ambitions ." ], "summary": "ambitious to a fault , MOV finds writer/director derek cianfrance reaching for -- and often grasping -- thorny themes of family , fatherhood , and fate .", "id": "771272420" }, { "movie": "twilight_saga_new_moon", "reviews": [ "the irony in this movie about vampires is that the only thing doing any sucking is the movie itself .", "in the mood for two glossy hours of adolescent yearning and buff , shirtless dudes ? then this movie is for you !", "if the first instalment of the twilight saga was a celebration of teenage sulkiness , then this sequel positively drowns in it .", "new moon lacks the chemistry and passion that made twilight so special . the sequel focuses more on the gratuitous sex appeal of the two lead male stars .", "gives fans what they want -lrb- hot young dudes who do n't wear shirts -rrb- , and might surprise a few people who did n't expect much", "there 's little in the way of forward momentum until the final 30 minutes ; stretching out this picture to longer than two hours was indefensible .", "i enjoyed new moon . it has occasional longeurs , for sure ; it lurches from the sublime to the ridiculous -lrb- that 's a clich\u00e9 , but this film does just that -rrb- ; but it also has joyous moments .", "depending on your gender , age and twihard-ness , this good-looking angst party is either a solid meyer adaptation with quiver-worthy moments of hotness ; or a wet , ludicrous , unintentionally-funny pile of steaming bathos .", "overall , it delivers on everything twi-hards will want , but that in itself is this film 's failing .", "new moon flirts with various treatment methods - rehab , alternative medication - before giving us the fix we crave . fans will not be disappointed .", "the boys preen while the girl sulks . and pouts . and sulks . and pouts .", "most of the movie is concerned with the glum , lonely bella , who just does n't know what to do with herself - and it looks as though the film-makers were similarly stumped .", "the pop culture phenomenon that resembles star wars much as the prime minister of belgium resembles the president of the united states -lrb- respective box office ranks of these two films in their respective decades : 71 , 1 -rrb- .", "there 's some hope that the series will improve over time , effectively righting every last hardwicke wrong . this is not a quality film by any means , but it 's a step up , and that 's a relief .", "a lugubrious harlequin romance with fangs and paws instead of bosoms and bodices .", "where the first film 's director , catherine hardwicke , plugged into meyer 's vision of supernatural teenage lust with abandon , chris weitz is stuck with a sequel that 's a morning-after mope-fest .", "alexandre desplat 's overwrought musical score will appeal to viewers who already agree that bella and edward 's love is glorious . others wo n't be persuaded , no matter how much he insists .", "all three lovers are so joyless , it 's hard to imagine why any of them would want to spend eternity together .", "it may be some kind of catharsis for the target audience , but all others are warned to venture forth at their own risk", "parents : if i can -lrb- poorly -rrb- discipline a 16-year-old cat to not howl before sunrise , you can teach your kids to not emulate bella swan .", "new moon will undoubtedly be a blockbuster at the box office , but is really quite weak as a film .", "never has a man 's shirtlessness been so essential to a character 's development .", "considering lautner 's acting improved so much sans shirt , i wonder if there might have been oscar buzz had he taken off his pants", "seu \u00fanico atrativo dram\u00e1tico reside no fato da mocinha estar sempre prestes a ser destru\u00edda pelo mocinho . mas isso n\u0103o \u00e9 o bastante ; se fosse , algu\u00e9m j\u00e1 teria lan\u00e7ado um filme chamado a lesma e o potinho de sal .", "-lsb- director chris -rsb- weitz seems to have taken the vampire thing a little too seriously -- his bland brand of hollywood polish sucks the life out of the movie .", "pseudo-religious nonsense , with fangs .", "the special effects are much better and the film has a more epic feel . as chick-lit to chick flick movies go , new moon does the business . fans will love it .", "it 's stronger on dream logic than plot ... yet knows its audience exactly : about 30 of its 130 minutes consist of slo-mo lingering on pattinson 's preternatural jawline and lautner 's preposterous abs .", "if you loved the books and the first movie , ignore this review . if you did n't -- and do n't get what the fuss is all about -- new moon is unlikely to change your mind .", "tedious , long-winded and not so much undead as almost entirely devoid of life .", "this second bite is stale .", "new moon suffers from a mild case of second-chapter syndrome ; symptoms include the laborious establishing of conflicts , a general air of drift and pointlessness , and a cliffhanger ending . an unappealing formula , but oddly effective .", "it is n't quite as enthralling or as soulful as the original but it still persuades you that such a far-fetched premise should be taken seriously - which is no mean feat .", "uncritical celebration of that overwrought , obsessive passion that is the hallmark of immaturity , that subordinates all sense of one 's own identity and readily leaps to suicidal impulses and fantasies .", "the first half is laboured and feels like a bridge for the third instalment , but there 's still plenty of cast chemistry and great set pieces .", "weitz brings a few more flickers of humour to the narrative , but the essential , appealing earnestness of the book remains , whole-heartedly embraced .", "this is a film for the fans . fans of the books . fans of the first film . if you enjoyed that , you 'll enjoy this . if you did n't , you have no chance here . it 's a new moon , not a new dawn .", "watching twilight saga : new moon is a bit like having your own real-life sulky teenager living under your roof ...", "made primarily for the fans , new moon is not better than twilight , and it also suffers from a indulgent , overly long narative and a pretentious , gloomy mood -- the main attraction remains kristen stewart .", "for anyone on the outside looking in , the insulation of the characters from real danger makes it a bit of a drag .", "the screenplay feels padded and the different strands of the storyline do not mesh together seamlessly . performances however , live up to expectations with stewart and pattinson exuding the magic that reminds us why we care so much about their relationship", "the stakes are higher and the intensity deeper this time , despite a plot that approaches the ripest of melodrama - and which occasionally provokes unintended laughter , as does the terribly twee soundtrack .", "the twilight saga : new moon plays like a 130 minute trailer for a movie called the twilight saga : new moon .", "weitz takes a looser approach than the series ' last director , catherine hardwicke , did . he has a better sense of humor , too .", "though an improvement over the first twilight film , this sequel -lrb- both based on stephenie meyer 's best-selling books -rrb- drags and sputters , even in scenes meant to be infused with passion .", "weitz 's efforts result in a movie that 's a little less insular and self-involved , though in the end , still probably one only the true fans could love .", "wisely new moon brings back screenwriter melissa rosenberg , who continues to prove she has a much better way with english than the author of the books , stephenie meyer .", "director chris weitz proves that the golden compass was no fluke : he really is a non-master of action .", "sexier , darker and funnier , new moon rises well above the anemic 2008 film version of stephenie meyer 's twilight .", "vampire movies should suck but not like this . some will want to drive a wooden stake through my heart . it 's a waste of time . ask anyone who knows me . i do n't have a heart .", "it 's slow and not particularly fulfilling -- a half-an-hour or so of drama stretched out for about two .", "the twilight saga : new moon takes the tepid achievement of twilight , guts it , and leaves it for undead .", "the soundtrack will be smothered by the sounds of screaming girls , and laughing at them may be the only pleasure you get out of this arduously edited angst fest .", "for me , nothing in ` new moon ' matches the visual excitement of the vampire baseball game in ` twilight . '", "a landmark cinematic event in 280 words , or one for every $ 500,000 of weekend box office .", "if only director chris weitz had managed to tease out the real drama -- bella 's fear of aging -- instead of a tired one .", "` dogs , vampires ... my miserable life would be so much less complicated if i were ugly or maybe french , ' exclaims bella .", "new moon has more humor , more action and fewer extraneous characters . long story short : it glides where the first film galumphed .", "ferocious werewolves suppressing their inner humans , up to no good undocumented undead illegally crossing borders for no reason than as possible filler , and sexy vampires that make panting girl hearts flutter and swoon across america .", "the relational knots of emo heroes and dreamy hunks are making it start to feel rather soapy", "a perfect movie for pre-teen and early teen girls but a letdown for the rest of the audience due to its slow pace and whiny tone", "a review-proof adventure certain to keep its intended demographic enthralled for a couple of hours .", "there 's little dramatic tension and , despite the fact that bella is being stalked by the vengeful vampire victoria -lrb- rachelle lefevre -rrb- , not much sense of danger .", "weitz is more awkward than hardwicke with the casual teenaged interactions . melissa rosenberg 's dialogue has n't improved , though she gets a boost by using quotes from shakespeare 's romeo and juliet .", "new moon indeed feels new , often in ways that are good for the series .", "in spite of its wealth of conflict , new moon suffers from a dearth of accompanying tension and excitement , thanks to the increasingly tedious relationship at its center .", "even with a decent director at the helm , the twilight saga always will be hampered by meyer 's juvenile prose", "a long , melodramatic slog , hardly scary at all and missing the offbeat touches and disorienting passion that made the first so surprisingly enjoyable .", "you almost feel sorry for those actors playing various off-the-hook monsters who , for the second movie in a row , have little to do except stand aside waiting for their few lines of dialogue .", "vividly captures and conveys the intense yearning of a teenage girl and her desperate desire for the deep intimacy of love .", "it 's strictly for devotees who wo n't balk at plot absurdities , clunky dialogue and patchy characterizations . i suspect loyalists will be pleased , but i ca n't imagine anyone else wanting to jump into the tale here .", "it 's too long , it 's poorly acted , the story 's clunky and the dialogue is laughable .", "this second screen installment of stephenie meyer 's bestselling series focuses , somewhat convincingly , on the emotions of an 18-year-old coping with her undying love of the undead .", "a juvenile , overly dramatic love story that takes the romeo and juliet theme , duct tapes it around a giant , cartoonish hammer , and slams it into your head for 130 minutes .", "enjoyable sequel to last year 's smash hit with a stronger plot and better performances , though it still suffers from the occasional dodgy moment and some amusingly rubbish special effects .", "incoming director weitz is a smart choice for the material .", "there 's a bit more meat on the bones of meyer 's story and less meandering schmaltz , but -lsb- ... -rsb- it 's still a gruelling endurance test for anyone with a y chromosome .", "that flip tone -- the gags and one-liners -- get us past the longing , the depression , the sulking , the almost comically swooning moments .", "this episode is as repetitive as the first , with endless scenes of kissus interruptus punctuated by moody indie-rock songs .", "constrained by the plot of the novel , the film keeps the two lovers apart for quite a spell , robbing the project of the crazy-in-love energy that made twilight , the first entry in the series , such a guilty pleasure .", "there is one thing to be said about the way weitz handles time travel . he can make two hours and 10 minutes seem like a thousand years .", "the actors appear at sea on more than one occasion , and some of melissa rosenberg 's risible dialogue does n't help them .", "leaden pace leaves new moon lifeless .", "mostly keeps going by reels and reels of moping from bella and edward -- the two have more mood swings and changes of heart than the entire cast of gone with the wind .", "bella cullen . mrs. edward cullen . mr. and mrs. edward cullen . ms. bella cullen . mrs. jacob black . jacob and bella black . mrs. bella black . ms. bella swan black . mrs. bella swan cullen .", "`` new moon '' is a terrible , terrible movie that is essentially `` transformers 2 '' for the training bra set with pseudo-soulful glances from bare-chested boys substituting for giant robots blowing things up .", "had the audience at my screening heaving and sighing so often , here 's a recommendation : bring an oxygen tank . you 'll need it and a mask , particularly in the presence of so much heaving and sighing and busy shirtlessness .", "for true twilight believers , the slow moments are more opportunity to gaze at pretty-boy young men playing characters who 're both the best and worst boyfriends a girl could ever have .", "chris weitz 's film caters as well as the previous movie did to pale , fantasy-loving teenage girls , while adding a bit more humour for the rest of us .", "the film takes itself rather earnestly , the heroine is more than half in love with easeful death , and the lighting by spanish ace cinematographer javier aguirresarobe is impressive .", "romeo and juliet it ai n't , but as a solid love story , new moon gets the blood pumping .", "so tedious and stupid that it makes last year 's twilight seem like nosferatu .", "if this is the world 's next generation of womanhood , that 's a century of female emancipation down the drain . bella 's more likely to polish her chastity belt than burn her bra .", "kristen stewart brings such raw vulnerability to the screen that she makes moping attractive .", "... it fulfills the expectations of fans and followers of the franchise but nevertheless still falls short of forming something transcendent and meaningful to everyone else .", "so distressingly po-faced that even the funny bits smack of faux teen gravitas .", "the first sequel to twilight has the feel of a placeholder ... but twi-hards , like bella , have mastered the art of willing themselves to see only what they want to see .", "the most surprising thing about new moon , the second film in the twilight series , is how much worse it is than the first .", "if you 're a romantic at heart who does n't mind shelling out $ 12 to watch a couple of adolescent boy hotties strut their stuff , you might as well just go and enjoy the eye candy . 'cause it 's kind of worth it .", "if you buy in to the central romance , you 'll laugh , you 'll cry , you 'll swoon . otherwise , the lingering glances , lip-chewing and regular de-shirting may cause uncontrollable giggles .", "` new moon ' is little more than a skilful soap opera , but it 's still enjoyable escapism - even if you 're old and wise enough to see through it .", "the second installment in the hugely popular twilight saga is darker and a bit more violent than the first movie , but not enough to make it inappropriate for teens .", "new moon knows what it is , what it is n't and how to quench fans . it ca n't say the same , though , for outsiders .", "walking out of new moon , i was struck by the odd sensation that i was living in an alternate universe peopled by vampires and the movie we 'd just seen was their version of days of our lives .", "if you 're out of high school , a person of color , do n't have teen daughters , a feminist , or a heterosexual male , new moon will probably disappoint . but , what do i know -- this is the same audience who loves miley cyrus .", "extreme moping by hollow actors makes the film feel like it stars robots stuck on their 'em o ' setting .", "new director chris weitz injects more humor and visual style than catherine hardwicke did in the original , but the twilight saga : new moon sags and lags like the first one as it senselessly runs on for more than two hours .", "what a bloated , self-important , crashing bore !", "this swoony adaptation of the second installment in stephenie meyer 's young-adult series is a potent stew of fairy tale and romance-novel fantasy .", "even the appearance of dakota fanning as a red-eyed bloodsucker capable of inflicting intolerable pain on others falls flat : when one of the presiding vampires mutters `` let 's be done with this , '' you ca n't help but agree .", "so we 've got a paper cut and a phone call , and a romance that never feels as big as the movie tries to make it seem .", "not as intense as it 's predecessor twilight , but still manages to shine . ''", "the scenery is still there , but just about everything else that worked in the first film does n't in ` new moon . ' for one thing , the structure is a mess .", "as she ponders her future , bella is less aware than you are that she has very similar effects on the monster boy rivals for her affection -- glowing eyes , rising tempers , pronounced teeth , ungodly strength , usually demonstrated on others of their ilk or f", "the entire film seems to consist of three thoughts , cycled ad nauseum : do n't leave me . i ca n't live without you . make me a vampire .", "i am not ashamed to admit that i will be the first in line for twilight part three .", "bella could go down in literature as one of the dullest , most self-obsessed geeks of all time . pick a wolf , pick a vampire , pick someone in the animal kingdom , and get on with it.the first film was tolerable . `` new moon '' just needs to go away quickly . p", "bella 's tedious moping takes center stage until a poorly delivered telephone message -lrb- what a lame dramatic device ! -rrb- sends everyone to italy to confront ` the volturi ' ...", "around about here , pattinson gets to bare his own chest -- a bad idea in a movie that also features taylor lautner - and we notice that while his face is heavily pancaked , his torso is of a normal human hue . whatever , i suppose .", "despite the focus on young , shirtless werewolves and well coiffed vampires , the second installment of stephanie meyer 's immensely popular series comes off as a tepid adventure in zombieland .", "the movie 's script and production values represent a big step up from the nearly unwatchable predecessor and make it suitable viewing even for people who are n't twilight nerds .", "memo to director chris weitz and screenwriter melissa rosenberg : just because you make a movie about vampires does n't mean you suck the life out of your story .", "will probably give fans what they 're looking for -- which is n't to say it 's great , only that it 's basically successful at achieving the not-very-lofty goals it sets for itself .", "fans will quiver and sigh ; everyone else will shrug , and move on .", "... as lautner 's stock rises , pattinson 's falls .", "mopey , draggy , and absurdly self-important , the movie nonetheless twangs at some resonant affective chord .", "new moon , for at least an hour , is laughably silly and unfathomably dull .", "like a teenage girl trying to adapt her diary into a one-woman show , rosenberg has turned stephenie meyer 's work into something that thinks it 's shakespeare but never resonates with an ounce of true emotion .", "despite superb cinematography and special effects , -lsb- it -rsb- overstays its welcome and lacks palpable excitement , thrills and suspense . its mediocre performances and dumbed-down screenplay add insult to injury .", "i 'm fairly certain none of the millions of fans of the twilight movies could give a rat 's ass what a jaded film critic thinks about it . and so , i 'm not going to be one .", "i did n't hate this movie ... if only we could get rid of edward and bella , i think i might actually become a fan .", "watching new moon is like being trapped in a room for two hours with a moody teenage girl who wo n't stop whining about how her boyfriend dumped her .", "the narrative is choppy , the pace is slow , it 's way too long and , well , not a lot really happens .", "edward is still a walking mannequin , and his emotional range is so limited that the connection between bella and edward seems strained and at crucial times unconvincing .", "if you 're not a teenage girl or do n't swoon at the sight of robert pattinson or a shirtless taylor lautner , then surprise , new moon was n't made for you . an event movie for girls in the same way every michael bay movie is a guilty pleasure for guys , there '", "a big bowl of adolescent romantic mush garnished with horror-lite action scenes and a rushed road trip , the twilight saga : new moon is a mess .", "depressingly old-fashioned verging on misogynistic .", "weitz catches the spirit of the story and allows the natural chemistry between his leads do the rest .", "the net result is boredom unless you 're already heavily invested in this series and bringing your own enthusiasm to the table .", "unfortunately , but not unexpectedly , new director chris weitz has decided to be generally faithful to his source material despite the problems it 's going to give him through a narrative that could delicately be described as ` sprawling . '", "the twilight saga 's new moon is not terrible , despite featuring some excruciatingly lazy storytelling , atrocious performances , listless direction and a core storyline that is both uninteresting and somewhat disturbing .", "... a marked improvement over its decidedly uneven predecessor ...", "entertaining for what it is and the alpha male werewolves end up being a lot more fun than the brooding , moody vampires .", "the brooding and sulking is so palpable in `` new moon , '' the latest film in the twilight series , that you could probably cut it with a knife . if the filmmakers thought that this would be enough to carry a film for over two hours , they were sadly mistaken .", "ostensible heroine bella is such a weak , needy , pathetic co-dependent who stirs up so much sh*t for those she purportedly loves that it 's hard to muster much rooting interest for her .", "so long as there are people , there will be love stories -- i hope they all feel as lush and lively as this one .", "robert pattinson and his stomach cramps - i mean , aching unrequited love - are less oppressive , but the trade off is taylor lautner and his relentless shirtlessness .", "poorly structured , poorly paced , poorly executed cgi in places and characters that are unlikeable , despite the fact that we should be rooting for them . an inaccessible mess .", "oh god ... make it stop .", "niz propu % u0161tenih prilika da film postane zabavna samoparodija", "new moon was fully satisfying for the fans . i just happen to not be a fan .", "superficial soup for the teenage soul .", "my main problem with the twilight series so far is that bella does n't have much in the way of admirable qualities . what 's her distinction ? she pines a lot .", "i did find this film to be a little better than `` twilight '' because of the romantic triangle aspect . that , and other plot developments add some complexity and suspense , making the film a bit more interesting .", "for pity 's sake , direct-to-video cheerleading competition films have more genuine intrigue than this .", "new moon is only after the affectation of emotion , of swoon-worthy poses and faux-momentous aesthetics .", "full review at movies for the masses", "kristen stewart does herself no favors by following her performance in adventureland with this mope-a-palooza retread", "i ca n't comment on the acting because i did n't catch pattinson , stewart and lautner doing any . they basically primp and pose through the same humdrum motions they did before .", "new moon comes dangerously close to self-parody on more than one occasion , but it seems blissfully unaware of this and soldiers on with a seriousness that 's unintentionally funny .", "while the teasing cliffhanger of an ending is intended to make fans hungry for more , the truth is the franchise is already running on fumes . fans may care , but casual viewers wo n't .", "new moon is n't good enough to seduce new fans , but it 's not bad enough to break off relentless infatuations .", "its defects include cumbersome dialogue and ludicrous plotting - its lack of sophistication is total - but who 's going to notice with all those shirtless wolf-men flexing their pecs ?", "the sequel will not disappoint the avid readers of stephenie meyer 's bestselling four-book series or the rabid fan base of women , especially teenage girls . the strong storytelling keeps you engaged even if you have not read the book .", "alternates between grueling amounts of bad dialogue and silly humor for the teen set ; except for a few moments involving the werewolves and the volturi , it 's fairly dismissible drivel .", "it never feels as profound as highlander , and rest assured , highlander is not my high watermark for metaphorical drama .", "the movie gives the ` twilight ' fans exactly what they want but does n't offer too much for the rest of us .", "yes , this is a very relative and qualified compliment , and yes , the snarksters will still find plenty to pick at , but this time around , even a complete demographic outsider like myself could at least vaguely comprehend the series ' basic appeal .", "it 's shakespeare on training wheels made for future lifetime viewers .", "it 's intellectually and socially detrimental to both literature and cinema , simultaneously . the fact that so many girls will see this movie and drink up the messages like poisoned kool-aid depresses the hell out of me .", "hollywood 's second foray into the twilight zone features enough fantasy and romance to satisfy most devotees , but just as many viewers will notice this is too often a case of the emperor -- or , more specifically , buff teenage boys -- wearing no clothes .", "despite an abundance of nude male torsos , new moon has n't enough swoony romance for its female demo , action thrills or cleverness anywhere in the production , dragging on eternally like its vamp undead .", "for easily impressed audiences that equate big lowest-common-denominator box office receipts with quality , here is a perfect movie for them to constantly check their cell phones as they sit in the dark ...", "one ca n't really complain about delivering what the fans want , can one ?", "despite melodrama that , at times , is enough to induce diabetes , there 's enough wolf whistle in this sexy , scary romp to please anyone .", "because of this new , but thoroughly chaste love triangle , `` the twilight saga : new moon '' is inept and annoying in a different way than its predecessor .", "if they spent more time on the scripts , coaching the actors and finding less distracting hair and makeup , they might earn what they have but do n't deserve : the fans ' unconditional love .", "the massive target audience of femmes -lrb- who nearly swooned when edward and the incredibly buff jacob bare their chests -rrb- is going to love new moon .", "those who ca n't get enough of either stephenie meyers ' ` twilight ' novels or the first movie will no doubt be in hormone heaven over ` new moon . ' for the rest of us , ` new moon ' is 2 hours of cheesy , adolescent lust wrapped in werewolves ' clothing .", "shallow , vapid and cheesy , proving that melancholy eternity themes can sometimes be drenched in tedium - except for ferocious twi-hards .", "seldom has a film disparaged the state of virginity as much as has this lethargically - paced , often inane , paean to thwarted post-pubescent horniness . believe me chastity can be fun . ask doris day .", "being cast as edward , the hawtest vampire of them all , has , ironically , done robert pattinson no favors .", "` new moon ' is also a less pretentious movie than its predecessor . writer melissa rosenberg , who wrote the screenplay for ` twilight ' as well , has loosened up a bit ...", "like twilight , new moon is strictly for fans of the book % u2013 for the rest of us , it 's actually worse than the first film .", "a triumph for twilighters .", "`` new moon '' is basically a 130-minute chick flick during which the three main protagonists spend a lot of time looking with cow eyes at each other 's faces .", "if this is the best the franchise can do creating wolves , i 'm not looking forward to what they do with a certain character central to the final twilight story , breaking dawn .", "because bella does a half-hearted attempt to understand jacob 's lycanthropy compared to the half-assed job she did trying to comprehend edward 's vampirism , it has less than half the intrigue of the first movie .", "parental content review", "inept cinematography ? oh , yes . dark and moody is one thing , but this is so murky you have to squint to figure out what 's going on .", "twihards will be omg , omg , omg . the rest of us ? rotfl .", "new moon offers few of the juicy , go-for-broke romantic pleasures of its predecessor , and the movie is so badly shaped that it 's hard not to blame weitz as a director .", "weitz goes for an appealing , slightly old-fashioned look , one in which the near - constant rain nicely mirrors bella 's internal weather conditions .", "the cinematic equivalent of a jonas brothers concert , the twilight saga : new moon is slickly packaged entertainment that 's nonetheless predicated on a creepy vision of teenage sexuality that is desiccated of , well , sexuality .", "attempts by director chris weitz and screenwriter melissa rosenberg to inject more humor and lighten the tone go horribly awry . -lrb- the supposedly `` serious '' dialogue is funnier than any of their pop-culture references and such . -rrb-", "if you want to see that sparkle again , wait no longer.edward is back .", "the number one killer is that it 's two hours and 10 minutes long and the plot recycles itself over and over again .", "bella 's confusion about the mystery of boys , adrenaline and testosterone matches her confusion about her soul . for weitz , it 's all just f/x .", "boring , but i 'll say this about new moon : it appears to have been made by people more familiar with the craft of cinema than twilight was .", "weitz 's pacing is so limp you 're going to need the electricity generated by a live audience to keep from yelling , `` hurry it up ! ''", "... despite a better than expected attempt by -lrb- chris -rrb- weitz , this is a story that lacks any real quality .", "it has an amazing kind of emotional integrity and intensity .", "new moon does n't have much of a plot ; the bulk of it is bella moping around . but director chris weitz knows a thing or two about love ...", "bella swan is loathsome and not aware how insipid , self involved , narcissistic and whiny she is .", "one of her suitors stays out all night with his weird friends . the other does his `` brokeback mountain '' thing with his buddies in the woods .", "twihards will appreciate director chris weitz 's faithfulness to the source text , even as he improves on it .", "benefits from greater romantic tension emanating from a love triangle , the inclusion of werewolves , and kristen stewart reducing her lower lip biting by at least fifty percent", "this overlong adaptation of the stephenie meyer bestseller is notable for setting itself rules and then breaking them .", "after a terrifically enjoyable start , the twilight series is settling into a somewhat predictable groove , with its tragi-romantic motif of not having sex becoming a bit gimmicky and worn .", "the big tease turns into the long goodbye in the twilight saga : new moon .", "if you fixate on funny things like plot and character -- in movies , anyway -- too bad .", "alone of all the earnest players in this turgidly euphemistic melodrama , sheen seems to grasp that the only way you can keep a straight face through this choked-up virginity is to carry it way into camp .", "the tension between bella and edward was the main appeal of the first twilight , and is sadly missing here .", "new moon nearly convinces non ` twilight ' fans to embrace the teen franchise , but the final half hour is a stake through the film 's heart .", "considering it 's about vampires , it 's ironic the whole affair is mostly bloodless and decidedly toothless .", "therefore little effort has been made to improve upon the first picture . as before , a lot of the acting is shonky , the production values are cheap , and the pacing rarely breaks out of a ponderous plod .", "lautner is a banal screen presence who is reduced to furrowing his brow to indicate his moodiness ; his pectoral muscles are more expressive than his face ." ], "summary": "the twilight saga 's second installment may satisfy hardcore fans of the series , but outsiders are likely to be turned off by its slow pace , relentlessly downcast tone , and excessive length .", "id": "770801331" }, { "movie": "many_adventures_of_winnie_the_pooh", "reviews": [ "their charm is undeniable , though it mainly resides in the source material : the late 60s , when these were made , were disney 's darkest days for craft and commitment .", "quaint and fairly lovable kiddie adventures .", "what a peculiar genius was a.a. milne ... milne 's distinctive voice retains its quality in with a clarity and integrity exceeding that of any other author disney adapted .", "... it 's always nice , anytime , to renew one 's acquaintance with a.a. milne 's delightful characters .", "the product of marketing genius , but at its core , this movie is entirely true to a.a. milne 's wonderful storybook intentions .", "while blustery day won an oscar , all three cartoons deserved it .", "one of the most charming of all disney features ... like anyone else , when i see it i am swiftly and inexorably carried back to childhood , in accordance with the drippy clich\u00e9s .", "-lsb- blu-ray review -rsb- lush and lovely to look at with a number of solid extras , `` the MOV '' on blu-ray is easily recommended for both the young and the young at heart ." ], "summary": "perhaps the most faithful of disney 's literary adaptations , this cute , charming collection of episodes captures the spirit of a.a. milne 's classic stories .", "id": "9403" }, { "movie": "0878835", "reviews": [ "nobody loves messy , human imperfections quite like writer-director nicole holofcener .", "the characters and their varying viewpoints on the haves and have-nots are entertaining and thought-provoking .", "nicole holofcener is frequently lauded for writing vivid female characters , but such praise does n't really do justice to her full game .", "touching , intelligent and full of charm and wit .", "-lsb- the script is -rsb- sharp and witty , but never forced , and features some of the best pure dialogue you 'll hear this year .", "a tremendous leap forward for filmmaker nicole holofcener ...", "there are laughs and moments of pain and many instances of embarrassing -lrb- and deeply human -rrb- behavior throughout , but there 's also delicacy and grace ...", "a funny and pointed take of class anxieties from the woody allen school", "please give is an almost perfectly rendered slice of life , buoyant with wonderful performances .", "while the characters contend with their precarious self-images , we ca n't help but reflect on ourselves as well . to borrow a cautionary phrase about that mirror : ` objects may appear closer than they are . '", "holofcener always gives us more to chew on than originally meets the eye in her films and she writes female characters with an intelligence , sensitivity and realism that blows the sex and the city foursome away any day of the week .", "an edgy , somber , beautifully written manhattan fable of guilt , shame , infidelity , death and real estate .", "an engagingly high-strung comedy about lack of empathy and the gnawing guilt that can attend it .", "it 's a tricky kind of social satire , its possibly cloying self-absorption cut only by some winningly awkward characters .", "the fourth teaming of gifted indie filmmaker holofcener and talented actress keener is a timely , sharply observed , femme-driven serio-comedy about postmodern capitalistic lifestyles with all their joys , guilts , complexities and contradictions .", "ah , the guilt of the privileged .", "of a piece with nicole holofcener 's three other films -- talky , urbane ensemble flicks that elicit quiet but deeply sincere smiles and laughs , and just as often showcase hushed moments of pinprick vulnerability .", "the tone is low-key but very funny . yet , at the same time , the film also manages to have a sardonic edge .", "solid ensemble work with an especially good catherine keener .", "a witty and observant comedy of manners , please give is another understated gem from writer-director nicole holofcener .", "the film 's premise yields a story that 's insightful and engaging while touching on many other matters of love and money .", "some filmmakers make movies that hold up a mirror to nature . nicole holofcener makes seriocomedies that hold up a magnifying glass to human nature .", "there 's nothing wrong with asking audiences to make up their own minds , but please give does n't even ask .", "the combination of good-nature and light snark -lsb- make -rsb- please give maybe the strongest film of holofcener 's career .", "please give is one of those movies that can be enjoyed simply for its funny portraits of human foibles and fumbling grasps at intimacy -- but it 's also deceivingly profound .", "there 's no movie around right now with a subject more pertinent . it 'll hit you hard .", "holofcener has n't made a great movie yet , but she has n't created any bad ones , and her gentle humanism is to be cherished .", "it 's a movie about guilt and family and what we mean when we say something is valuable , all of which are great subjects .", "please give is a series of such set-piece scenes , a breezy , though not negligible , exploration of the contest between avarice and empathy .", "it 's a wonderful movie full of people you wish you knew in real life , and like most of holofcener 's movies , it 's a remarkable combination of comedy and tragedy .", "-lsb- holofcener -rsb- has real sympathy -- characters that might have been brittle , mockable creations in another writer-director 's hands gain resonance here .", "one of the best movies ever about guilt as the guardian of our goodness and a sign of our yearning to belong to the larger world .", "please give is specific about its middle-class , white , manhattan characters but it 's also universal in the way one social class ' anxieties are understood rather than simply celebrated .", "holofcener 's deliciously understated film takes a miniaturist 's pleasure in getting the details right .", "some people might find it distasteful to make a movie about guilty rich folks who give themselves permission to splurge . others will rightly appreciate the honesty .", "keener , peet , and hall are so strong , so empathetic even at their weakes", "with the romantic notion of the deceased ` haunting ' their furniture ... , the director at once adds some ethereal spirituality and an earthbound connection between people and their possessions .", "listening to the banter in please give feels like eavesdropping on natural conversations , shaped and selected by a skilled storyteller .", "holofcener 's humorous interest in yupscale entitlem.ent and its discontents mark her as a descendant of woody allen", "at a time when every penny counts , where do they come up with the money to finance a movie this boring ?", "forget the dreaded `` sex and the city 2 . '' holofcener 's wonderful new film about mammograms , marriage , infidelity , child-rearing and waiting for the old lady next door to die so you can buy her sprawling , pre-wwii apartment is the most sophisticated america", "please give is a moral comedy that feels at times like one of the late eric rohmer 's deceptively breezy miniatures , or a mid-period woody allen movie minus the fussiness .", "only rebecca hall comes through with a genuineness that rises above holofcener 's doodlings .", "please give proves that a film can be a spectacularly rewarding experience by just providing time spent with well-written , believable adult characters .", "it recognizes that a film about unpleasant people need not be unpleasant itself as long as it remembers not to make them uninteresting as well .", "as she has in four previous films , holofcener smartly relies on keener 's talent to create a layered character who is neurotic and often inappropriate , but still good at her core .", "far from challenging , the film consoles the complacent , saying basically that you can do whatever you want , so long as you feel -lrb- or pretend to feel -rrb- a little guilty about it .", "holofcener has sprinkled in quite a lot of humor , without which the film may have been too overbearing . but it 's not , and we enjoy the characters , partly because , in this 90 minute effort , they do n't wear out their welcome .", "yet another ramble through the tiny world of the affluent and the idle , a particular fascination of holofcener 's . the only difference this time is the increased emphasis on morbidity .", "while holofcener 's scenes are profoundly accurate and wildly amusing , they hit home like a sledge hammer to those of us who share these feelings .", "one of the best movies of the year so far . an insightful , darkly funny and multi-layered character study about class and family .", "few american filmmakers create female characters as realistically funny , attractively imperfect and flat-out annoying as does ms. holofcener .", "hardly a treasure , but it offers some modest rewards .", "two possible ways of regarding please give : it 's shallow . or maybe it 's deeply shallow .", "if giving is always a relationship , giving also entails taking , whether in business , romance or family interactions .", "please give is holofcener 's best movie to date . the slender plot presents itself without fuss , a slice of manhattan life , a la woody allen 's early , most engaging work .", "this gorgeous film , always tender and sometimes dark , is a deeply resonant comic drama that 's concerned with nothing less than life , death , love , sex , guilt and the urban logic of mortality .", "such fine-tuned observation requires the ideal interpreter . keener has always been holofcener 's muse , and once again offers the sort of fully crafted portrait that reminds us how shallow most movies really are .", "with her new film , the poignant and funny please give , holofcener is at the top of her game .", "sometimes -- and far too rarely -- a film will hit all the right notes , with sharp , original dialogue , brilliant casting and an absorbing story . so caught up in its spell , you dread seeing the credits roll . please give is that movie .", "holofcener 's touch is n't light , but it is funny in its exploration of materialism and guilt , vanity and aging .", "fleetingly amusing , charming and harmless with a terrific cast , but often meanders , lacks bite , and unevenly juggles comedy , drama and romance .", "the movie is about imperfect characters in a difficult world , who mostly do the best they can under the circumstances , but not always . do you realize what a revolutionary approach that is for a movie these days ?", "this is one of those rare movies that made me want to thank the person who did it .", "holofcener explores the contemporary female experience with a camera that is at once empathetic and merciless .", "in its casual , disarming way , it 's as deep and as grand a film as you 'll find", "brutally honest about the way people behave , and often devastatingly funny in its observations .", "-lsb- although -rsb- i think holofcener 's work is always interesting , i think this is the least satisfying of all her films i 've seen .", "funny and heartbreaking .", "do n't be put off by the bitchy-familiar chick-flick wrapper . this one 's a keeper .", "holofcener writes , and helps to shape on-screen , characters we often do n't even like , and what do we do ? we invite them home with us . talk about a soft touch .", "keener , one of the most reliably entertaining actresses currently working , specializes in sardonic , flawed characters -- a perfect fit for holofcener 's image of the modern american woman .", "please give is quintessential holofcener -- a loopy , episodic ensemble story of women dealing with marriage , money and men , but it 's also her smartest , most disciplined movie to date .", "writer-director nicole holofcener seems to get better with every film , and now she 's cruising along the well-trodden path of neurotic new yorker comedy-drama with grace and comely confidence .", "life-goes-on movies usually do n't electrify the senses , but this one stimulates moral imagination .", "nicole holofcener , who writes the most interesting female characters in the movies , delivers another dazzling role to her muse , catherine keener , in please give , a delightfully dry dramedy about guilt .", "keener has become holofcener 's artistic alter ego . in please give , the sharp-eyed filmmaker sends her vibrant representative out into the world to explore what it means for a woman to be lucky and still feel itchy .", "a stroll with these characters is a refreshing break from from the usual film exercises .", "wryly humane", "the acting quality is strong , especially from the ever-reliable catherine keener as kate , but it 's almost impossible to care about her character 's dilemmas .", "in both please give and friends with money , she wrestles with our all-to-human desire for nice things but judiciously avoids ridiculing her characters for sharing a longing that is as universal as it is regrettable .", "this plot less movie lacks any momentum and you get no feeling of empathy or sympathy for any of the characters . the ensemble acting is sound with guilbert standing out with a nostalgic trip down memory lane for viewers .", "as holofcener charts the telling little developments in these randomly connected lives the film offers wry smiles , smart repartee , mild whimsy and some plaintive , poignant moments .", "a spiky , sophisticated , grown-up comedy ...", "it sparks laughter by crossing the wires of human motivation , letting you see the hazards that exist in trying to be a good person .", "writer-director holofcener cleverly keeps the emotions gurgling right under the surface of this engaging interpersonal comedy . it 's more about smiles than laughing out loud , but the superior cast members get terrific characters to play with .", "touching : that 's what makes holofcener 's films so lovely . they are beady-eyed satires , sure , but they 're also fundamentally kind-hearted .", "this is a small film , which , if you 're open to it , will draw you into the lives of people you quickly forget are fictional .", "it is well-observed but morally stunted , in that it suggests that charity is just another form of self-medication", "a well-written , well-acted dramatic comedy that is light on plot but generous in spirit .", "the film lives at that uneasy intersection between affluence and compassion , where the well-meaning well-to-do try to figure out how much of their wealth they need to give away to make a difference .", "it 's involving and often gripping with wonderful performances by a top cast , although the sum of its parts is less than the story as a whole", "the main problem with the film , though , is that it seems to assume that self-obsessed and charmless people are automatically interesting - just for being people . there 's definitely a flaw in that logic .", "please give is n't laugh-out-loud funny , it is witty and clever-a pleasing tale where not much happens , but spending time with the film 's characters is enough .", "keener never lets us lose sight of something possibly redeemable about kate , a move which ultimately saves her performance from lapsing into an easy social caricature .", "the film is more emotionally incisive than it initially appears to be , but equally it ties together a little too neatly when it already has such a concise running time .", "holofcener takes pretty much everything you 're not supposed to talk about at a dinner party and spins it into a ruefully awkward , bone-dry comedy .", "its conclusions are thoughtful and non-judgmental ; satisfying even if it pulls a few punches .", "does n't have much plot , just characters interacting and developing , and its lack of a need for drama is refreshing .", "you have to be smart and funny and really aware of yourself to write and direct a film like this , which is exactly what director nicole holofcener is .", "holofcener allows her strong ensemble room to really explore their characters . keener and hall are the obvious standouts , but fresh-faced sarah steele is particularly good in support , as kate 's teenage daughter .", "comes close to justifying the praise it has received -- close , but not entirely .", "nicole holofcener creates open-ended characters whose ordinary lives are so fascinating that when the credits roll you 're wondering why transformers gets a sequel and not them .", "ms. holofcener 's observant talky comedy resonates with plenty of oomph as a believable modern-day fable about urban life .", "real joys and sorrows must be bigger and deeper than this .", "compare these wonderfully flawed , beautifully insecure and wholly believable characters with the preprogrammed mannequins seen in such chowderheaded efforts as , say , the back-up plan or killers , and the contrast is startling .", "an upper east side slice of navel gazing", "it ends with this exchange : ` thank you . ' ` you 're welcome . ' how often do those simple words carry weight in a movie ? at that moment , i loved those characters , and i loved this movie .", "if you 're hoping for huge dramatic payoff or more than mild laughs from cynically satisfying script , then you 're panhandling without a styrofoam cup .", "nicole holofcener 's lovely please give is a small , modest movie , full of the sort of characters we might know , or be .", "holofcener 's biggest ally against nauseating self-pity is keener , her screen alter ego .", "smart and touching , this is a must for lovers of human drama .", "maybe things get worse , but movies like this at least make it easier to handle .", "there 's the rare occasion where the boldness of the dialogue is laid on a little thick and it drags you out of the moment , but it does n't happen often , and the odd excess is more than forgiveable given just how well the rest of the film works .", "trifles , trivialities , frippery and froth . we 've got plenty of words to describe things that do n't matter . and now , we also have a film . please give .", "beautifully played and sharply-written , the pleasures on offer here are apparently throwaway but the authenticity of the characters freights the story with a light-hearted realism .", "nothing earth-shaking goes on here , and holofcener has the good sense not to make her issues seem all that important . this is a lightweight comedy about mostly likable people who are a bit too wrapped up in self-analysis .", "three dimensional characters , direct no nonsense dialogue and a dry sense of humour combine to create an understated thoroughly enjoyable feel-good film that leaves viewers with an invisible glow .", "here 's a sentence i 've typed before : rebecca hall is the best thing about this movie . the british actress raises the level of every production she touches .", "director/writer nicole holofcener goes back east for please give . it is an auspicious move .", "give thrives because of these professional efforts , which help to mold something strangely poignant and thrillingly neurotic out of a plot that should rightfully be nothing more than a cinematic air horn .", "in a holofcener film , the usual rules of screenwriting do not apply , which lends her work a lifelike quality that 's particularly refreshing in this era of formulaic remakes and sequels .", "while please give is a film about conscience , it 's also slyly funny , with piercing moments of insight and warmth .", "in please give , keener is at her best . let 's hope her creative partnership with holofcener continues .", "happily , the joy outweighs the guilt .", "an indie with real pedigree and smarts , holofcener 's comedy of manners is well-observered and well worth watching .", "exploring class , generations and misbehaving bodies , holofcener 's dramedy refines its character studies with warmth and wit as she creates warts-and-all individuals whose flawed humanity we warm to .", "enjoyable , emotionally engaging comedy-drama from writer-director nicole holofcener , featuring a sharply written script , likeable characters and terrific performances from a talented ensemble cast .", "starved for whip-smart dialogue and characters who do n't behave as though they 've just stepped out of a cartoon ? holofcener 's latest is guaranteed to please . give it a look .", "keener manages to flesh out her character more deeply than the sometimes stage-rash behavior holofcener demands .", "a muted , almost rohmer-like moral tale that does n't quite dive deeply enough into its several characters .", "like holofcener 's previous pictures , please give derives its narrative energy less from a series of plotted incidents than from its keenly observed interplay of clashing personality tics and worldviews .", "keener , peet and hall all shine as women plagued with self-doubt who respond to those insecurities in strikingly different ways ." ], "summary": "nicole holofcener 's newest might seem slight in places , but its rendering of complex characters in a conflicted economic landscape is varied , natural , and touching all the same .", "id": "770856682" }, { "movie": "mars_attacks", "reviews": [ "this messy masterpiece is the year 's funniest comedy and a weird , winking affirmation of the power of the people .", "as sci-fi spoofs go , MOV ! may never be topped .", "despite the very slow start , MOV ! delivers the goods .", "an acquired taste .", "a skewed marriage of mainstream pop and burton 's own eccentricity", "like a well-constructed bad painting , there is much to admire in the film , but the net effect leaves you dispassionate .", "as light entertainment , MOV ! gave me more pleasure than most other recent movies i 've seen .", "just when you 're about to give up hope , suddenly the aliens land , the gags start flying faster and faster , and the movie gets great in a hurry .", "a throwaway piece of pop ephemera , like a '90s casino royale , momentarily arresting and soon forgotten .", "a stillborn affair that could have been -- and should have been -- a whole lot hipper and funnier .", "a bizarre combination of eye candy , warped humor , social satire and comedic ultraviolence .", "hilarity never seemed so tedious .", "when the film 's energy kicks in , though , so does burton 's flair for black comedy .", "MOV ! is packed with memorable sights and hilariously ridiculous ideas .", "MOV ! wants to be the dr strangelove of alien b-movies , but is n't up to the challenge . instead it 's a paceless , overlong , and campy film partly redeemed by a number of hilarious and gruesome alien invasion skits .", "this may not be a christmas movie , but it sure captures the elusive spirit of the season , and the simple pleasure is contagious .", "MOV will keep you laughing from first to last .", "como parodiar algo que j\u00e1 n\u0103o se levava muito a s\u00e9rio originalmente ?", "a holiday film with no conscience whatsoever , MOV ! will make you laugh , it will make you cry , and it definitely will make you wonder about earth 's ability to defend itself in the face of higher life forms .", "not as much fun as it should be .", "john waters will weep with envy .", "oaded with wit , nifty little ideas and an extraordinary sense of design , but its allure is of quite a particular nature , much closer to that of ed wood than of burton 's earlier , and far more commercially successful , works .", "burton 's only failure .", "there is plenty of imagination in mars attack ! , but the ideas prickle rather than tickle .", "alien-invasion satire for older tweens and up .", "the pinko commie independence day , burton 's film orders an invasion of little green men not to reinvigorate our all-american bloodlust , but to make us look like complete and utter boobs .", "perhaps they do n't create quite enough deeply funny earthlings to go around , but a thoroughly meanspirited big-budget movie is always a treasurable rarity .", "since the movie is obviously designed to be a larky romp through low-culture cheese , it may seem mean-spirited to complain that in the end burton 's spectacle is a bit hollow .", "... a sadistically silly spoof that uses a cheesy ray gun to blow away the tropes of science-fiction past .", "yes , it 's over-the-top , but there 's a terrifying truth in how politicians would want to spin this or media would want to angle it .", "an over directed and poorly written farce ...", "tim burton 's tribute to the b sci-fi-alien genre of the 1950s is sharply uneven , but the top-notch cast , dark humor , and production values offer some pleasure .", "unlike burton 's tribute to b-movie director ed wood or mel brooks ' parody young frankenstein , this movie 's self-awareness does n't work .", "flaming white hot death to anyone involved in this crappy film !", "first he made ed wood , a tribute to the man fondly recalled as the worst movie director of all time . now tim burton seems to have made a tribute to wood 's work .", "the film 's penchant for repetition is faithful to its '50s source material and is the very quality that turns MOV ! into such a marvelously unstable comedy .", "a knowing and loving tribute to those cheesy b-movies .", "galactic hoards of fun , but slightly disappointing bubble-gum sci-fi flick .", "MOV ! is not so much a spoof of ` b ' science fiction films as it is an homage to them . but those ` b ' films were usually bad , and this homage to them suffers for the same reasons .", "while MOV ! may not have been as good as it could have been , it is definitely one of the better sci-fi flicks to have headed our way in quite a while .", "with MOV , director tim burton has created not only an instant cult hit , but a very offbeat black comedy that parodies martian invasion films , disaster films , and many aspects of our popular culture .", "a very disappointing effort by director tim burton .", "a frantic , funny love letter to an era of entertainment gone by , but also a top-notch example of modern comedy .", "a most unpleasant surprise to all those who based their expectations on burton 's previous work .", "just a parade of scattershot gags , more often weird than funny and most often just flat .", "unfortunately , it 's not very good .", "this may not be the best or funniest effort by burton . it is his biggest , and a lot of fun , too .", "burton is at his funniest when the martians are zapping away like brats playing a video game .", "it has a silly juvenile appeal in its unrelenting and subversive camp satire of the pop culture scene .", "each step is away from the imagination that made the cards exciting to adolescents and towards a sort of smirking patronization of the spirit of the source material .", "nothing much is funny in MOV ! , whose mildly amusing war of the worlds story can best be described as ... MOV .", "if movies have pop cult i.q.s , MOV scores somewhere beyond 200 .", "MOV ! is the film that independence day wanted to be but never could be .", "only moderately amusing .", "it 's got attitude , goodness knows ; it has stars by the fistful ; and it certainly was made with technical skill . what it does n't have is enough of a story to fill an hour and 46 minutes .", "sadly empty exercise .", "probably the biggest let-down since the second season of twin peaks ." ], "summary": "tim burton 's alien invasion spoof faithfully recreates the wooden characters and schlocky story of cheesy '50s sci-fi and ed wood movies -- perhaps a little too faithfully for audiences .", "id": "10454" }, { "movie": "we_own_the_night", "reviews": [ "as flat-footed as writer-director james gray 's script often sounds , his cops-vs . - mob tale can be strangely mesmerizing .", "time will tell , but from where i 'm sitting this deceptively routine cop movie runs deep . in fact , it already looks like a classic . cagney and tracy would be proud .", "gray keeps his picture interesting with a handful of inspired action scenes", "in many ways , MOV is a lite version of our favorite urban cop dramas -- or maybe it 's just that writer-director james gray is a martin scorsese lite .", "the gripping , entertaining , rock-solid mob thriller feels like a throwback to a bygone era .", "for all the competence in craft , there 's no real urgency and distinctiveness to sufficiently mask that we 've seen this all before -- and indeed we have from gray himself alone .", "everything old does n't necessarily feel new again .", "this one hangs on the notion of fate , and once you 've figured out whose fate is the central issue , the outcome -- even with those clumsy plot twists -- is fairly predictable .", "bobby 's decision-making throughout is operatic -lrb- with grand gestures and tears and sensational lighting -rrb- , but also crude and flatfooted .", "writer/director james gray uses the strengths of his top-notch actors to transform `` MOV '' into something more than a standard-issue cop tale .", "adequately acted and flecked with the required quota of action to satisfy genre fans , pic recalls numerous good police dramas of the 1970s , but mostly in superficial ways that bring nothing new to the table .", "if anything makes MOV worth watching , it 's phoenix and wahlberg .", "james gray again tackles his familiar family themes again within an overly familiar cops-gangsters genre .", "it 's a solid , if unremarkable piece of storytelling .", "MOV is defiantly , refreshingly unhip .", "the whole project feels workmanlike , an exercise in neither offending nor impressing .", "too long and anti-climactic , how derivative is this ? the final d\u00e9nouement is straight out of james fenimore cooper 's the prairie -lrb- 1827 -rrb- .", "-lsb- with so many -rsb- plot twists and turns , it 's almost like a bad parody of a western .", "the film is n't exactly boring . but nor does much of it feel necessary .", "this movie is spellbinding and i found myself captivated throughout .", "gray 's characters are weighty and dimensional enough to allow the viewer to overlook the generic nature of the story .", "you 'll want to get lost in the dark world of `` MOV . '' good performances from a great cast blend with an intriguing script in this adult thriller/melodrama .", "another example of -lrb- crime -rrb- business as usual .", "unravels from about the twenty minute mark on and makes no attempt to recover . rather , it becomes more clich\u00e9 and ham fisted as it rolls along .", "takes enough interesting turns and twists to earn and keep your attention , all before an ending that sacrifices credibility for the sake of convenience .", "heartfelt performances from all the leads , certainly . top 80s tunes and a thrilling car chase in the pouring rain .", "the kind of movie you feel you 've seen before when you 're watching it for the first time , gray 's latest never once surprises . but it 's intelligent and well-crafted enough to make you prepared to give it the benefit of the doubt .", "a sombre , intelligent , feeling crime drama set in a working-class new york characterised by striving and shabbiness .", "the stand-out set piece is an agonising car chase in the rain , replacing the full-throttle showmanship of the bourne series with a foot on the brake , a shotgun pointing out of the adjacent car , and a series of tight close-ups on the terrified phoenix .", "offers little that scorsese does n't offer with more \u00e9lan and wit .", "it is a little cumbersome with plenty of macho-sentimentalism , and the ending is frankly contrived . but go and see it for the car chase .", "stylishly directed by james gray , this dark film does a great job portraying the violent gang scene of 1980s new york . more sophisticated than most cop flicks .", "the always charismatic phoenix is the highlight ; he carries the film , rising above the occasionally uninspired dialogue and plotting to give a powerhouse turn as a man caught between ambition and duty .", "quality actors joaquin phoenix , mark wahlberg and robert duvall do their best to breathe life into a deeply average cop thriller/family drama .", "a grown-up thriller about morality and the consequences of choice , MOV harks back to an earlier era . a cast of heavy-hitters give it all a solid , polished sheen .", "a good idea executed badly .", "an obviously talented director relying on an obviously limited screenwriter/scenarist .", "i gradually found myself respecting and admiring the film and its creator , writer-director james gray , for its willingness to observe the rules of classic cinema construction without coming across as too self-consciously retro for its own good", "whomever owns it they can keep it cause we 've all got better things to do at night than to see a virtually unconscious film that makes johnny dangerously look like angels with dirty faces .", "despite a powerful chase scene and some affecting performances , the movie 's retro slant makes it simplistic and superficial .", "overall , it 's impossible to shake the film 's gloomy sense of eternal repetition .", "MOV confirms james gray 's position as a major american film director .", "... it 's the utter familiarity that keeps MOV from standing out on the screen in the same way it undoubtedly did at the pitch meeting .", "well-acted but very bloody crime drama .", "... successfully harkens to the best cop dramas of the '70s , when brutal realism shocked audiences and over-the-top action was confined to car chases .", "ngaging , impressively directed crime thriller with a sharply written script and strong performances from its three leads .", "tawdry , pulpy , nuts-and-bolts cop thriller .", "this just ca n't compete in an arena with the likes of the departed - which at least makes a point of its contrived storyline - let alone the high watermark set for cops vs. drugs drama by the tv series the wire .", "a desperate violence and urgency spills out in the film 's flash-point set-pieces - not least a sensational car chase , shot through a windscreen , hammering rain and a blur of fear .", "as a whole , the film feels both too earnest and overly simplistic in its approach to the various moral dilemmas .", "with a few tweaks here and there it could have been something special .", "once again finds gray breathing gritty , electric life into a conventional tale .", "... suffers from an overly deliberate pace that ultimately prevents the viewer from fully connecting with the material .", "gray loves actors , and it shows .", "taut , intelligent and confidently unpretentious about what it sets out to , and does , achieve within the crime-thriller mold .", "at its core , it 's an exploration of the demands and obligations of brotherly love , staged with honesty , originality and a surprising spark of intelligence .", "at times solid and suspenseful , at times dopily implausible and woefully familiar .", "it somehow manages to squander an impressive roster of a-list actors on material so uninteresting and formulaic that you 've seen the whole story in the trailers .", "a sluggishly regurgitation of the noteworthy 70 's - style cop dramas . the nocturnal naughtiness behind gray 's mean streets saga begs for a compelling ounce of creative daylight", "this dramatic crime-thriller never lives up to that potential . in fact , it 's considerably less than the sum of its parts .", "one of hollywood 's moldy oldies -- brothers on opposite sides of the law -- gets yet another spin in this lead-footed crime drama by james gray .", "instead of playing to the strength of its leads , the script almost seems to highlight their weaknesses -lrb- in other words , you do n't see wahlberg 's abs once -rrb- .", "phoenix is unquestionably the star of the film . his journey is particularly angst-ridden , and he shows it every step of the way .", "the theme of this absorbing crime drama centers on a simple idea : blood is thicker than powder .", "gray includes three truly breathtaking action sequences , the equal of any action blockbuster made this year .", "god knows -lsb- writer-director gray -rsb- has skill and integrity , but perhaps it 's time to acknowledge that he could use script help .", "wahlberg , unfortunately , is over the top , and not in the good way he was in scorsese 's the departed .", "a diverting enough time-wasting thriller .", "gray 's craftsmanship is admirable , which shows some old-fashioned reverence for the triangulated composition of scene , character , plot and avoids , by and large , the snazzy edits and visual bling that pass for a cinematic imagination these days .", "fans of gritty , intense cop films wo n't be bothered by ... significant flaws ; others will have the pleasure of seeing accomplished actors dig into meaty roles .", "file this cop family drama movie under films-we-never-need-to-see-again .", "some great acting and stunning suspense sequences elevate this so-so tale about a police family 's complex relationship with russian mobsters in 1980s new york .", "if gray had put as much effort into his script as he puts into -lsb- several -rsb- scenes , he might have made a film to rival scorsese or cronenberg . as it is , he\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- s tugging mightily on their coattails .", "too slow to be a guilty pleasure and too dumb to be an innocent one , MOV does n't say a lot except we own a lot of scorsese dvds .", "gray 's skill with meting out suspense pays considerable dividends .", "it 's not surprising , but it 's engaging enough that most patrons will likely cut the director some slack for the out-of-period details and convoluted plot contrivances that make the film seem at once sloppy and too neat .", "gray assumes rather than dramatizes the depths of his characters , scanning for gravitas where there are only rickety clich\u00e9s", "although MOV is never as suspenseful as it wants to be and can be a little formulaic , it never comes close to being boring , and that 's something you ca n't say too often about movies these days .", "a generic thriller that aims for deeper resonance , MOV is an intriguing feature , undermined by a plot that stretches credulity , yet which still manages to conform to predictable gangster flick clich\u00e9 .", "director-writer james gray makes it all seem more urgent than it has any right to feel , because he knows how to make tense , violent dramas that are soaking in mood .", "an intriguing blend of mainstream audience-pleaser and a more subtle , even intellectual agenda .", "if MOV is flawed and somewhat choppy , it served notice that gray , once he refined his technique , would be a force to be reckoned with in the cinema world .", "this is a man 's movie : gritty , macho , and lacking in grace .", "the pace may be a shade plodding at times , and the dialogue frequently does disservice to the subject matter . yet the performances lift it out of the rut ...", "-lrb- MOV -rrb- was terribly written and just such a waste of great actors .", "it 's a roller coaster , mainly because a good scene is typically followed by a bad one . for every thrill , there is a melodramatic moment that just does n't work .", "lovers of good straightforward thrillers should find plenty to enjoy here .", "these are some of the finest actors in america , so it 's no surprise that they deliver the goods and create solid , complex and accessible characters we can understand .", "the drama gains momentum in the second half , so the film gets better , but it 's never too far from cliche .", "eva mendes seems to basically be around just to work hard feeding her man joaquin 's erotic fantasies for some relaxation on his down time , in this grim , meandering excursion through brooklyn 's mean streets .", "MOV declaws the organized crime genre .", "traz v\u00e1rios bons momentos que o transformam em um exemplar de g\u0119nero acima da m\u00e9dia , a come\u00e7ar por alguns excelentes di\u00e1logos .", "-lsb- gray 's -rsb- feel for dialogue has rarely failed him , and it does n't here .", "you probably wo n't hate it , but that 's because you probably wo n't feel much of anything about it", "haraktires poy tha mporoysan aneta na perasoyn arketo hrono akoma se skoteina syrtaria , mpas kai mporesoyn na skoteiniasoyn arketa oi idioi gia na metamorfothoyn se kati esto endiaferon an ohi diaforetiko", "it could n't have taken seven years to write a screenplay this leaden and uninspired . surely something like this could be churned out in a weekend .", "it 's a sensational picture , best received by minds open to generous cinematic brush strokes of right and wrong ... undeniably thrilling on primitive , fist-clenching level .", "helpless with comedy , heavily reliant on coincidence , and out of step with all current cinematic vogue , MOV finally resonates as a beautiful , dolorous nocturne .", "leave the gun . take the blini .", "an old school character-driven police drama that comes from the heart of a filmmaker who 's clearly in complete sync with his cast and crew .", "falters under the strain of clumsy plot turns , banal dialogue and cliched characters .", "gray is a far better director than he is a writer . he 's got the talent to make great movies . he just needs to stop trying to .", "MOV brims with raw feelings and elegant filmmaking .", "the whole thing is so generic , so been-there-before , that i spent most of it asking myself nitpicking questions .", "this is an atmospheric , intense film , well acted , and when it 's working it has a real urgency .", "the plotting is so rickety that the action hinges on suspicions roused by a character carrying a cigarette lighter and matches .", "joaquin phoenix and mark wahlberg do a lot of the talking , great mumbling . two of the movies ' master mutterers , they supply a double tour-de-force of indifference to enunciation , steamrolling the english language until it sounds like some other dialect .", "MOV is a bloody , passionate melodrama , self-consciously shakespearean -- or biblical , or greek , take your pick of atavisms -- in its intentions .", "-lsb- the movie -rsb- shines as it illuminates that haze of conflicting emotions and motivations within the confines of a powerful police thriller .", "gray really does offer nothing new here . we get the same old statement of blood being thicker than watered-down business associations .", "so meticulous , observant and generous in the details , that i was almost saddened to see the story start up in earnest and inevitably limit the film 's scope .", "it would be nothing more than sturdy entertainment were it not for the presence of joaquin phoenix and mark wahlberg .", "as cop/crime dramas go , this one offers little that 's new but it takes the time to develop the characters and that 's where its strengths lie .", "the story remains oddly unaffecting , and gray 's camera sense is visually lethargic outside the two big action sequences .", "as always , phoenix is an arresting presence on screen , but do n't expect any departed-esque fast talk from wahlberg , who is oddly inert in a role that should crackle with brotherly ambivalence .", "the movie would seem ripe for tnt , but action this unexciting ca n't even compete with law and order .", "acting is strong -lrb- i like these stars -rrb- , the direction passionate , but the film is bleak and laborious with unbelievable and-or undeveloped progressions in the telling .", "we 've been down this road before , but somehow the scenery looks new .", "... is n't interesting until it 's almost over .", "it 's not that it 's done poorly -- though this kind of movie has definitely been done better -- but rather that there is nothing here that you have n't seen before . and when we say nothing , we mean nothing . at all .", "when the bodies are sorted out , though , gray wants us to feel the sting of loss , and it 's just not there .", "all the picture really needed , though , was a little more sweat and grit and a little less concern about its own self-importance .", "between the clubbers and the dealers , they only seem to be renting the night at best .", "a world shrouded by danger , suspicion , and family disloyalty comprised of commonplace characters brought to life by exceptional actors .", "powerful drug dealers may be evil , but i doubt they 're as stupid and oblivious as depicted in ` MOV . '", "this is not the usual conventional cops and robbers film that some critics like to call it ... .", "well acted but merely a competent police drama with family overtones .", "a competent , quasi-profound but ultimately shopworn tale of familial loyalty , directed with television-drama flatness .", "at cannes film fest , this melodrama about fathers and sons , cops and criminals in the russian milieu , was dismissed as overly familiar , a genre flick done many times before on tv and the big screen , including james gray himself -- and with the same actors .", "-lsb- s -rsb- o drenched in raw , ineffable male anger and love ... that it howls with authenticity .", "the work of a dedicated and intelligent filmmaker who knows and understands the turf that provides the detail for his stories and the inspiration for his art ...", "MOV may not feel any more special than watching a rerun of the sopranos or the wire , but as a serious adult crime yarn , you could do far worse .", "a robust , respectable cop movie .", "may not have much new to say about the war on drugs ... but it says it awfully well .", "it 's not a flashy film , but gray is a gifted visual storyteller .", "highly derivative of 1970s films . sometimes ` good enough ' just is n't good enough .", "earnestly acted , typically dour but dully formulaic crime drama .", "you can almost see them give up about halfway through , beaten down by a script that gives them almost no character development or interesting action .", "in many ways this traditional-looking flick gives off a vibe of been there-seen it but at the same time it pulsates with a raw energy and rhythm all its own .", "you do n't judge artists by where they find their inspiration ; you judge them by how they realize it . and in MOV james gray hits the bull 's - eye .", "gray deserves some credit , though , for making a movie that seems deeper and more resonant than it turns out to be .", "MOV plays like gangbusters .", "like the yards , MOV is broody to the point of anesthesia and operatic to the verge of bombast . and like its predecessor , the new film takes itself far too seriously ." ], "summary": "bland characters , clich\u00e9d dialogue and rickety plotting ensure MOV never lives up to its potential .", "id": "770670992" }, { "movie": "treasure_planet", "reviews": [ "inventive alien creatures are voiced by top-notch talent like emma thompson , david hyde pierce and martin short , while the lack of songs and updated character issues , including single parenthood , money and juvenile crime , keep the whole thing pretty hip .", "i think kids will find it really entertaining , and parents will find it amusing enough .", "not since mulan -lrb- or , quite possibly , even the hunchback of notre dame -rrb- has there been a disney cartoon so casual about its own brilliance ...", "most disney flicks work on an adult level ; i do n't feel like i need a kid to lug into the theatre with me . this time , i felt like i needed a kid .", "the studio may be taking a monetary risk by straying from its musical formula , but it can rest assured that in doing so it 's delivered a pleasing entertainment .", "half star wars and half classics illustrated , disney 's MOV is a total blast , filled with animation dazzle and imaginative storytelling .", "where we kids of all ages ought to be eagerly running out , hearts pounding and faces flushed with excitement , to hoist the jolly roger in the backyard , all we can do is reel from having the warm fuzzies mercilessly pounded into us .", "the overall tone of this rocket-paced updating is exhilaratingly giddy , making it by far disney 's best animated film since mulan .", "while the artwork in the film is very good , the story is curiously cool and emotionally uninvolving .", "MOV is certainly suffering from creative schizophrenia .", "`` MOV '' is unfortunately more like a saturday morning cartoon , even with a running time of eighty or so minutes . it 's no `` lilo & stitch , '' but it 's worth a matinee if only to see it ; too bad there could n't have been more to feel .", "will grab your children by the imagination and amaze them and amuse them .", "MOV moves like the story 's rocket-powered flying ships taking viewers from one breath-taking adventure to another , but always making room for laughs and even some poignant life lessons .", "has its moments , but it 's pretty far from a treasure .", "MOV is a handsome picture , with lots of nifty borrowings from the star wars galaxy , but it 's never particularly compelling as a story or as a vehicle for emotions .", "sci-fi meets sea-faring fantasy , and the mix is n't half bad .", "what makes the movie work is disney 's reliable artistry , superb as usual .", "if MOV falls short of lion king 's classic status , it still proves there is plenty of room in animation for movies that are n't geared exclusively to 8-year-olds .", "it 's doubtful the ` tweens ' they 're aiming at here still embrace disney , and little kids do n't care about back story .", "better than ok , but no spirited away .", "as action-adventure , this space-based homage to robert louis stevenson 's treasure island fires on all plasma conduits .", "as family films go , this one offers an engaging and exciting 90 minutes .", "no matter how confused the story gets or how unclear jim 's motivations are , we still have long john silver , whose is-he-good - or-is-he-bad complexity is so fascinating that he 'll make us stick around for any movie he yo-ho-hos in .", "viewed on its own terms , MOV is better-than-average family entertainment , but true fans of the stevenson 's novel will likely prefer disney 's more faithful 1950 live-action swashbuckling classic .", "MOV is just a reminder of how much i liked the original template from which all these cheap knockoffs have come .", "many entertaining characters , a rockin ' space adventure , plenty of eye-catching animation .", "a winningly fresh take on a tale that has never gone out of style ... disney has done stevenson proud .", "the film 's signature imagery is impressive and there are some good set-pieces .", "it 's not one of disney 's greatest , but it 's solid entertainment .", "in attempting to update the novel , disney filmmakers have dulled the characterizations and dialogue and given us instead a lovely series of picture postcards from outer space .", "this is disney animation at its best : a witty and swashbuckling tale of adventure .", "there is almost no coherence to the plot points , leaving another technically sound but disposable product that awaits its straight-to-video sequel .", "hey mom , i went to another planet and found money for you to buy back the family farm . sure , i blew up the planet in the process , but are n't you proud of me ?", "... just the sort of fast-paced adventure flick that today 's kids are n't getting enough of .", "esta curiosa releitura do cl\u0431ssico de robert louis stevenson conta com um visual impressionante e boas seq\u044c\u043ancias de a\u0437\u0433o . ainda assim , est\u0431 longe de se equiparar aos grandes cl\u0431ssicos da disney .", "lends itself to the narcotizing bland -lrb- sinister , though not nearly so sinister as the biennial disney girl movie -rrb- machinations of the biennial disney boy movie .", "disney guarantees a certain standard of entertainment that will doubtless satisfy several hundred thousand families .", "without the pizzazz of computer animation you can see how it will struggle to find its target audience .", "despite more betrayal and loyalty than a chris carabba box set , there 's no real good or evil here .", "-lsb- a -rsb- raucous adventure into infinity .", "as literary desecrations go , this makes for perfectly acceptable , occasionally very enjoyable children 's entertainment . you 'll forget about it by monday , though , and if they 're old enough to have developed some taste , so will your kids .", "a truly wonderful tale combined with stunning animation .", "like its source novel , ` MOV ' brims with the spirit of discovery .", "disney 's updated , animated version respects its source material while aiming at kids who grew up with extreme sports and edgy music .", "for anyone who grew up on disney 's 1950 treasure island , or remembers the 1934 victor fleming classic , this one feels like an impostor .", "moody , involving and endlessly inventive , MOV lacks only the element of delight , of joyfulness that marks the very best animation has to offer .", "not as good as lilo and stitch or spirited away , but worth actually going with the kids .", "one wants good storytelling from animated films , and MOV is working with a good one . but , like pirates hoarding gold , it gets greedy trying to wow us with too much .", "this is one of the more exciting disney animated features . it moves quickly and has some good , distinctive voice performances .", "it 's no lilo & stitch , not even close . it does n't contain a single memorable line and has only one memorable character .", "at about 95 minutes , MOV maintains a brisk pace as it races through the familiar story . however , it lacks grandeur and that epic quality often associated with stevenson 's tale as well as with earlier disney efforts .", "a spiffy animated feature about an unruly adolescent boy who is yearning for adventure and a chance to prove his worth .", "one of the most gorgeous disney films ever .", "the techs are , simply , outstanding in every way .", "this is a good script , good dialogue , funny even for adults . the characters are interesting and often very creatively constructed from figure to backstory . the film will play equally well on both the standard and giant screens .", "although the plot is marginally faithful to stevenson , a considerable helping of the usual disney ingredients have been tossed into this pirate stew and they do n't always blend easily .", "it 's a fun adventure movie for kids -lrb- of all ages -rrb- that like adventure .", "it 's all quite vividly imagined , down to the tiniest details .", "we 're not talking a disney treasure here , but if MOV falls short of gem status , it should provide youngsters with a reasonable amount of diversion .", "its sense of adventure is a minor saving grace in a flawed movie", "the movie is paced with precision . although we spend plenty of time getting to know the characters , there 's never a dull moment , and the transitions from one scene to the next are particularly smart .", "disney 's animated pirate tale has masterful visuals -- and an amateur 's script .", "a movie that will thrill you , touch you and make you laugh as well .", "visually rather stunning , but ultimately a handsome-looking bore , the true creativity would have been to hide MOV entirely and completely reimagine it .", "safe entertainment and a visually impressive piece of work .", "there 's loads of eye candy , but nothing that 's terribly engaging . it 's not bad , but no classic .", "while pixar can do no wrong with its cutting edge cgi originals , disney is falling back on old formulas", "inspired visuals and fluid animation , even blown up on imax , were n't enough to prevent me from being bored out of my skull .", "given the amazing artwork , if a better character -lsb- than a cyborg john silver -rsb- had been inserted , we 'd be talking about `` MOV '' as another disney classic .", "the addition of an insufferable robot named b.e.n. -lrb- martin short -rrb- cripples much of the film 's momentum and renders many of the latter scenes unwatchable -lrb- a friend once dubbed b.e.n. `` the jar-jar binks of animation , '' and she was absolutely right -rrb- .", "outer-space pirate treasure hunt lots of fun ; fab animation .", "the awkward trappings of this disney adventure mechanize and blunt the tale 's humanity . it pops and squeaks and rumbles , but MOV lacks the strength to transport audiences . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "by following its story as closely as they have , the filmmakers have retained much of what made the novel a classic .", "like stepping forth , in an explosion of colors , weird body shapes and bad comedy , into somebody else 's migraine .", "swashbuckling , intergalactic fun .", "it 's laced with literate humor , and the directors cite n.c. wyeth 's illustrations for the 1911 scribner 's edition of treasure island as the inspiration for their marvelously detailed fantasy world .", "enjoy the spectacle .", "looking at MOV is a wondrous thing , but listening to it is another matter . the disney team makes an uncommon mistake by casting actors with distracting voices .", "the plot 's clearly mythic structure may owe more to disney 's strong sense of formula than to the original story . but while the highly predictable narrative falls short , MOV is truly gorgeous to behold .", "this is a good ride . take the kids or go by yourself .", "some of the computer animation is handsome , and various amusing sidekicks add much-needed levity to the otherwise bleak tale , but overall the film never rises above mediocrity .", "MOV does n't have the charm of disney 's last homegrown release , lilo & stitch , or the dazzling artistry of spirited away . but it 's a capable and diverting holiday season adventure for a family audience .", "when the disney people go after your holiday dollar , they do n't leave anything in the paint box .", "it 's a pleasant enough way to mark time , which is exactly what the rest of the disney crew is doing -- until inspiration , like a beam from the far end of the galaxy , strikes again .", "a rousing good time that should entertain kids and adults alike .", "do n't look for gravity-bound logic here . this is cartoon fantasy , not a literal translation , although in its way it stays pretty close to stevenson 's characters and storyline .", "fl\u00e1tula es tal vez el mejor idioma para expresar mi valoraci\u00f3n , algo que me da tristeza y no gusto decir ...", "a perfectly competent and often imaginative film that lacks what little lilo & stitch had in spades -- charisma .", "a cluttered mishmash of conflicting styles and times .", "i 've got nothing but praise for the work put into the art of this film , including the coloring , details , excitement and originality .", "imaginative , ridiculously anachronistic and distinctly masculine , this is disney 's best traditional animation effort since the emperor 's new groove .", "disney gambled on the whimsical but oddball idea of catapulting a rickety old boat into space . and on some levels , it works .", "although disney follows its standard formula in this animated adventure , it feels more forced than usual .", "it 's a rollicking adventure for you and all your mateys , regardless of their ages .", "although there are some minor problems in the script and storytelling plus the characters seem assembled from the disney cookie-cutter conveyor belt the kids wo n't mind .", "only occasionally succeeds in transposing the romantic spirit of robert louis stevenson 's 1883 adventure classic to the far reaches of the galaxy .", "one of the better efforts to come out of the mouse house 's traditional animation departments in recent years .", "it 's yo-ho-ho and a bundle of fun , along with an abundance of imagination and a bounty of spectacular imagery , a family film in the very best and most inclusive sense of that often misused term .", "-lsb- there 's -rsb- quite a bit of heart , as you would expect from the directors of the little mermaid and aladdin .", "a moviegoing pal of mine calls it ` disney goosebumps , ' the awestruck , think-i 'm - gonna-cry feeling evoked when the alchemy works and image and music fuse with your imagination and longing to transport you to another world .", "with its inventive art direction and stunning action sequences , not to mention sophisticated hilarity and no small amount of tongue-in-cheek homo-eroticism , this may be the sci-fi space pic for the grown-ups to see this holiday season .", "a film that will enthrall the whole family .", "martin short gives as much energy and flair to this film as robin williams did to aladdin and eddie murphy did to mulan . he is a pure joy to watch and will make you laugh out loud on several occasions .", "this is an enjoyable though forgettable film , brightly animated but allowing itself to descend into slapstick , fart jokes and flippant humor .", "MOV is the rousing action-adventure disney tried and failed to produce in last year 's atlantis : legend of the lost empire .", "this might please the 8 year-olds , but more discerning fans of animation , and adventure are likely to be disappointed with how slack and tedious this latest disney offering is .", "abounds with kid-friendly thrills .", "there 's enough meaty plot and character left beneath the fancy effects to make watching the film a satisfying experience .", "it 's a photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy .", "delicious aesthetic , zippy dry dialogue , and some great adventure . superb voice casting .", "in visual fertility MOV rivals the top japanese animations of recent vintage .", "it just may inspire a few younger moviegoers to read stevenson 's book , which is a treasure in and of itself .", "this version does justice both to stevenson and to the sci-fi genre .", "though families will enjoy the classic story with a cosmic twist , the most valuable gem is the beautiful mix of hand-drawn and computer animation .", "contains a lot of cool little ideas ... but is lacking the one big idea that opens up the possibilities of animated story telling .", "the genre 's recent past has set the bar quite high , and MOV does n't quite make it over .", "the adventures that youngsters act out on the french fry-littered seats of the family minivan will surely be more exciting , and more imaginative , than the film itself .", "once you excuse the silliness of the concept , the movie is actually entertaining enough to win over this old pirate .", "retaining the swashbuckling spirit of stevenson 's novel but adding megabytes of computer-age cool , MOV is the one holiday thrill ride the whole family can enjoy .", "like atlantis , it 's one of those disney adventure cartoons that takes too long getting to anything really exciting -- and once there becomes too frenetic to effectively wow .", "sucking all the ` classic ' out of robert louis stevenson 's treasure island and filling the void with sci-fi video game graphics and disney-fied adolescent angst ...", "if you 're searching for a treasure , look elsewhere .", "there 's no mistaking the fact that this hybrid misses the impact of the disney classic , and even that of the excellent 1934 mgm version .", "this is exactly what animation should be about , presenting us with a thrillingly imaginative adventure that is utterly liberated from trivialities like the laws of physics and possibility .", "each scene looks wonderful , and the action is energetic and exciting enough to keep us hooked . forget where it came from and it 's not half bad .", "fine family fun .", "dazzles and delights , like a billion bits of gold bullion strewn about the caves of a rampaging buccaneer .", "splendid", "if you do n't have a youngster handy to give you an excuse to see MOV , hire one , just so you can step off this mortal coil in turmoil for 95 minutes of terrific adventure , with hardly any corn or schmaltz to distract you from a ripping good yar", "the film failed to be imaginative enough .", "disney 's MOV adds a unique spin to a classic story which has delighted readers for generations .", "it 's beautiful , it 's funny , it 's colorful . but somehow the magic is n't exactly there in full measure .", "akin to an extremely well-made saturday morning cartoon -- great for hyperactive four-year-olds or hungover students , not worth a trip to the pictures .", "there is nothing in MOV we have n't seen in recent animated efforts such as `` titan ae '' and disney 's own `` atlantis : the lost empire '' ...", "the most original and thrilling animated feature the studio has turned out in years .", "treasure island may be a much-loved story , but you would never know it from viewing the uninspired castration that is MOV .", "a typical trip that resembles the goonies as much as it does stevenson 's novel", "it brings to mind the bookish charms of undervalued disney cartoons like the rescuers and the black cauldron .", "owes more to the swashbuckling serials of yesteryear cinema than it does to cold , steely science fiction ponderings of the future .", "directors john musker and ron clements , the team behind the little mermaid , have produced sparkling retina candy , but they are n't able to muster a lot of emotional resonance in the cold vacuum of space .", "` treasure plane ' starts with the clever idea of transforming the story into an old-fashioned space opera , and the animated visuals are handily up to the studio 's best . yet the film 's total appeal may be undercut by a script that rarely feels inspired .", "... spiced with humor -lrb- ` i speak fluent flatula , ' advises denlopp after a rather , er , bubbly exchange with an alien deckhand -rrb- and witty updatings -lrb- silver 's parrot has been replaced with morph , a cute alien creature who mimics everyone and everything around -rrb-", "anyone who 's seen titan a.e. will have a hard time not feeling deja vu , even though disney 's effort is slightly better .", "this concoction , so bizarre to the adult mind , is actually a charming triumph where its intended under-12 audience is concerned .", "you could nap for an hour and not miss a thing ." ], "summary": "though its characterizations are weaker than usual , MOV offers a fast-paced , beautifully rendered vision of outer space .", "id": "10781" }, { "movie": "die_another_day", "reviews": [ "you leave feeling like you 've endured a long workout without your pulse ever racing .", "does n't fully recapture the magic of the connery films , but avoids the torpor which has afflicted most of the later ones ... there 's a pulse in the old boy yet .", "like most bond outings in recent years , some of the stunts are so outlandish that they border on being cartoonlike . a heavy reliance on cgi technology is beginning to creep into the series .", "i expect more from bond , so thumbs down .", "all in all , screenwriters : neal purvis and robert wade have managed to keep us from suspending disbelief and the film from self-destructing .", "half frivolous fun , half tedious .", "a meandering , over-inflated , everything - but-the - kitchen-sink attempt to one-up and wear down .", "the niftiest bond movie in years -- fresh , funny , and jammed to the rafters with demented stunts , boys ' - own gadgetry and brazen promiscuity .", "after `` MOV '' i 'm not opposed to hearing the line `` bond , james bond , '' again . after all of these years , even though he has n't changed much , we can still rely on 007 to give us an adrenaline rush .", "MOV gives us the coolness , the action , and the sex appeal in satisfying doses , which is enough to make it a solid bond entry , if not a spectacular one .", "the kick in the pants the bond franchise so desperately needs .", "brosnan is more feral in this film than i 've seen him before and halle berry does her best to keep up with him .", "it plays around and still delivers the goods .", "if anything , MOV shows that brosnan makes a good bond . i 've thought that since goldeneye , and i 'd hate to see this outing be his last , if only because it 's my least favorite of his stints so far .", "`` MOV '' makes you long for the days when roger moore played 007 . and who would ever admit to that !", "`` MOV '' was better than the last bond installment but that 's not saying much .", "MOV never quite finds real excitement or genuine wit .", "it 's a stale , overused cocktail using the same olives since 1962 as garnish . not only is entry number twenty the worst of the brosnan bunch , it 's one of the worst of the entire franchise .", "there 's just no currency in deriding james bond for being a clich % ufffdd , doddering , misogynistic boy 's club .", "too soon , the toys , gadgets and stunts for which the franchise has become famous reclaim it , and MOV becomes indistinguishable from the other faceless action films that seek that same audience .", "the most satisfying bond movie since the spy who loved me .", "prefab and formulaic all the way .", "when it 's good , it 's very good , but when it 's bad , it 's awful .", "MOV is the best bond film of its generation . really , it 's the best bond film without sean connery in it , period .", "007 shows he still has the double-o goods in MOV .", "despite an overabundance of obvious computer-generated effects , MOV shines as the best of the brosnan bonds .", "MOV is only intermittently entertaining but it 's hard not to be a sucker for its charms , or perhaps it 's just impossible not to feel nostalgia for movies you grew up with .", "that this bond will be smarter is clear from its title sequence , which leaves you both shaken and stirred .", "thankfully , bond returns classed up and decked out from his dismal last outing . this time , the fleming crew wisely take on the axis of evil for an action flick of the new world order .", "many aspects of MOV seem cribbed from previous bond films .", "no doubt tamahori has risen to the occasion in assuring the box office staying power of james bond and his recurring jolting journeys . MOV is indeed a view to a thrill .", "bond 's imminent obsolescence has been underlined by all the talk about franchise expansion .", "the very first movie i have seen in the secret agent series to warrant a recommendation .", "... there are some inspired sequences , such as an egomaniac 's sword duel from hell ... but next time , somebody needs to trim the fat to keep the superspy and his film a little less overindulgent .", "there is enough for the bond fan to like and enough for a critic to dislike .", "james bond is back again and this time he must stop a madman from taking over the world .", "whether it 's because the series ' thunder has been stolen by years of imitators and parodies or because the film 's script barely finds a pulse until the last 40 minutes , `` MOV '' too often feels as if it 's about to die that very day .", "may be far from the best of the series , but it 's assured , wonderfully respectful of its past and thrilling enough to make it abundantly clear that this movie phenomenon has once again reinvented itself for a new generation .", "it 's flawed , but it 's the best 007 flick in 20 years .", "bomb . james bomb .", "the formula is still in place , properly mixed and sufficiently varied to keep the fans happy for a couple of hours .", "` i say , ' said 10-year-old jimmy bond as he stepped into the glory of an english summer afternoon on royal albert street in the village of little balderdash , ` what an absolutely corking day for an adventure ! '", "an often derivative , often clever , and all too often agonizingly boring spy story .", "fans of james bond wo n't be disappointed by MOV", "with four films comfortably tucked under his tuxedo , brosnan has established himself as the second best bond next to sean connery . that 's hardly faint praise ; it 's kind of like calling him the second best home run hitter next to hank aaron .", "holds our interests longer than bond 's latest adventures .", "dead-on in so many respects that it is difficult to dislike .", "MOV comes at a time when the marketplace is already full of action-heavy spy movies , some of which out-bond james bond .", "director lee tamahori , who made his mark as a director of substance with once were warriors , is now completely substance-free .", "MOV delivers pretty much everything you could comfortably expect from a bond movie .", "one of the better bond films since pierce brosnan assumed the role .", "at this stage in the series , the formula is so rigid that the stunts pop up like clockwork , and the characters have become interchangeable parts of an assembly line .", "there 's a visual freshness to 007 's latest outing . those gorgeous iceland sequences blew me away .", "to appreciate MOV you need to suspend more than disbelief . you need to suspend disbelief over a hotel balcony with a sheet on its head .", "being the james junkie that i am , i ca n't help but accept this middling fix and hope the next one 's better .", "this is one of the sillier bonds , but the actors seem to be having fun , the pace is quick , and there 's a lot to look at . at least it 's not a bore like tomorrow never dies .", "arguably the best bond film in nearly 20 years ... glorious fun .", "it took 19 predecessors to get this ?", "make it half an hour shorter , and it 's the perfect bond flick .", "the film is so fraught with explosions and chases that the action eventually feels numbing .", "a tough , high octane bond determined to build momentum as he moves into his fifth decade .", "this bond film goes off the beaten path , not necessarily for the better .", "-lsb- t -rsb- he movie as a whole suggests the 40-year-old franchise is finally showing its age .", "it 's easily the fastest , meanest , funniest , edgiest bond of the brosnan era .", "as one clunky explosion piles on another , you picture how much more fun it would be if we could just watch austin 's version of the mayhem in , say , shag another day .", "a bit like watching a champion fighter win a title bout on points rather than a satisfying knockout .", "when the action stops , so does the movie .", "bond is keeping up with the times in everything but his story ideas , which seem as determined to keep cold-war anxieties alive as 007 is to get out of his latest scrape .", "a nice new step toward changing bond back into his older , tougher incarnations in a way that the audience wo n't revolt over .", "while certainly not without its charms and clearly not a chore to sit through , the film is n't as fun or engaging as it should be .", "if this outrageous espionage-podge did n't have the bond label on it , you 'd swear it was a jean-claude van damme flick .", "this movie has the usual impossible stunts ... but it has just as many scenes that are lean and tough enough to fit in any modern action movie .", "surely it will not be giving things away to tell you there 's absolutely nothing new about the latest episode .", "it 's better than the last film , the world is not enough , but it does n't really recapture the old vim and vigor .", "the first installment of the new millennium , maintains the franchise 's standing as the ultimate cinematic guilty pleasure .", "the title may assume that the series will MOV , but to me , it just flat-lined .", "with pierce brosnan combining the best of all the actors who came before him in the role , we have a worthy bond to begin the journey into the next forty years .", "one of the sturdier and darker of james bond films .", "i ca n't figure out the folks behind the james bond franchise . they keep making noise about wanting to update or inject more life into the series , but continually fall short in frustratingly obvious ways .", "MOV is both skillful and playful , and that 's about as high a compliment as i can give a 007 film .", "good last outing for brosnan", "how anyone else could sit through its 2 1/2 hours and not drop at least a dozen iq points is beyond my comprehension . particularly now that i 've seen it .", "brosnan 's best mission as bond yet , and the most satisfying installment of the franchise in recent memory .", "one thing remains the same -- the vital fun that a bond movie brings .", "what makes this the best bond in years is the surefootedness of brosnan 's performance , as well as tamahori 's fanboy insistence on covering all bases .", "a loving reminder of just exactly what it was that made us like martini swilling 007 in the first place .", "it 's as if austin powers never happened .", "regaining his bearings after that `` look how angry i can be '' turn in the world is not enough , brosnan finally plays bond as if he no longer has anything to prove .", "more sexual innuendos than the last ten bond pictures combined .", "while the action and exotic locales are intact , the dialogue is unbearably bad . some lines are so bad that when delivered , they 're schwarzenegger-ian .", "if i ca n't return to the past , i 'll happily follow a bond this reenergized into the future .", "this series should have died long ago , but they keep bringing it back another day as punishment for paying money to see the last james bond movie .", "damned if MOV does n't score , injecting some color and verve into a series badly in need of it . the story cracks and pops unlike any of at least the past six bond movies .", "as professionally mediocre as its predecessors .", "there 's only so much ridiculousness the human mind can take , and director lee tamahori crosses that line by a good 20 minutes .", "there 's much to love -- and more to puzzle over -- in this curiously science-fiction-style outing for 007 .", "pierce brosnan was born to play james bond , but he 'll never make the role his own if an intelligent script does n't pass through his mail slot soon .", "another rent installment for the ian fleming estate .", "the best of the pierce brosnan james bond films to date .", "it 's the best bond film in the last few years .", "the traditional heart and soul of the bond movies may be getting colder and darker , but the gimmicks , tempo , and excitement are intact .", "bond is back with a bang !", "it 's the 20th bond film and one might say they 've had their run .", "halle berry gives a go at the 007 franchise , working with pierce brosnan to show us a ripping good time .", "with its contemporary feel and set pieces galore , this bond will leave you both shaken and stirred .", "this bond does n't stop for donuts or martinis ... exhume MOV and you 'll find a fascinating allegory about the 2002 second coming of the bush presidency .", "the spy whom we all loved is looking less human and more like a videogame character ... . MOV is just another bond for the attention-deficit generation .", "in boldface fact , ` MOV ' is the best bond in years , and arguably ranks with the vintage sean connery set . any connery/bond fan knows that is high-spy praise .", "this is the first james bond film in a long time that i found entertaining .", "remember when bond had more glamour than clamor ? no more .", "tamahori 's visceral instincts ca n't guide him through a fantasy-land where agents outrace avalanches and swim unharmed through arctic waters .", "sexy , funny and spectacular , bond 's first mission of the new millennium is one of the best of the series .", "agent 007 is back in his 20th film adventure , and things are darker and more serious now .", "fuerte , golpeado , sexy , sangrante , explosivo ... se puede pedir ms a james ?", "dissing a bond movie is quite like calling a dog stupid , but when it has the temerity to run over two hours , you feel like winding up with a kick .", "could move president bush 's attention far to the east of iraq .", "with there being no end in sight to mike myers 's austin powers franchise , how will james bond now reconcile that he 's become a parody of a parody of a parody ?", "until -lrb- the -rrb- superfluous ... epilogue that leaks suspension of disbelief like a sieve , MOV is as stimulating & heart-rate-raising as any james bond thriller .", "should satisfy both diehard fans , who liked the plotting and interaction of early bond films , and die hard fans , who prefer bond shaken and stirred by massive explosions , vehicular crashes and gunplay befitting a central american revolution .", "there 's a heavy stench of ` been there , done that ' hanging over the film . it 's everything you 'd expect -- but nothing more .", "` MOV 's ' special effects will make your eyes open so wide your contacts might fall out , but the spy caper is double-crossed by a stupid script littered with one-liners so dumb that 007 actually makes xxx -lrb- vin diesel -rrb- sound like he 's clever .", "the bond films never make sense , but some of the plot twists here are ludicrous even by the usual standards .", "it 's a movie that tries to have it both ways -- and for the most part , succeeds .", "if you watch movies chiefly for stunts and special effects , this bond is for you . if you watch to see a beloved formula regurgitated , make tracks .", "MOV is still slick , entertaining and exhilarating enough to ensure that bond will live another and another and another day .", "vintage james bond .", "too loud , too long and too frantic by half , MOV suggests that the bond franchise has run into a creative wall that 007 can not fly over , tunnel under or barrel through .", "a tiresome movie that is at turns grim , overly violent and patently absurd .", "there are so many ridiculous ideas that defy the laws of biology and physics , yet it still manages to be fun ... once you get past all the groaning and eye rolling", "an eye-popping , edge-of-your seat flick that you will all but forget an hour later , but is fun while it lasts .", "only the last action sequence seems too far off-base from reality even for a bond movie . i say that intellectually , but it still keeps you on the edge of your seat , watching . you ca n't help it .", "the results are often leaden and even campy .", "interpretado por brosnan , 007 consegue at\u00e9 mesmo controlar seus pr\u00f3prios batimentos card\u00edacos . resta agora conseguir controlar a qualidade dos novos cap\u00edtulos da s\u00e9rie .", "` no es la mejor cinta de la serie , ni la mejor con brosnan a la cabeza , pero de que entretiene ni duda cabe . '", "not quite the birthday party we were expecting , but it 's a diverting enough spectacle .", "tamahori pumps a tremendous amount of energy into his bond movie , and it 's an electrifying ride .", "the batman & robin of the bond series .", "i 'm not sure if this is a compliment or not , but this bond flick is no worse or better than all the others .", "in a movie that 's distinguished by some higher heights than most recent bonds , and some new lows , MOV also sees bond do battle with obviously artificial digitally created backgrounds and effects .", "the problem for me is that the story is so entirely at the service of the special effects .", "bond flick pushes the pg-13 limits .", "bond has lost his charm and there seems little chance for amelioration .", "there was absolutely no choice but to dial it down afterward but not because `` MOV '' is an abomination of which to be ashamed . alongside `` you only live twice , '' it 's bond at his most aggressively outlandish and shamelessly entertaining .", "an old bond for a new century , in which 50-year-old brosnan , just starting to show his age , has to share time with an amazing glut of awful cgi .", "an attractive cast , silly gadgets , bad puns , worse cgi and a totally ludicrous plot make this the least of the brosnan bonds , but it all paves the way for an injection of grit with casino royale .", "face it , MOV simply blows the competition away . if you want excitement , laughs and pure sex appeal , remember one thing : bond 's really do have more fun .", "no one 's going to accuse MOV of being a sophisticated spy movie . it 's an over-the-top action movie that is to be enjoyed best with a big bucket of popcorn .", "berry 's saucy , full-bodied performance gives this aging series a much needed kick , making `` MOV '' one of the most entertaining bonds in years", "neal purvis and robert wade mix a relevant story with clever tributes to franchise films . their robust throwback obviously ensures bond will survive on screen way beyond `` another day . ''", "brosnan , in his fourth time up at the bond bat , hits this one out of the park .", "while ` die ' is hardly in a class with the best bond blockbusters , it 's a substantial improvement on the thoroughly mediocre 1999 installment ` the world is not enough ' ...", "oh , james ! your 20th outing shows off a lot of stamina and vitality , and get this , madonna 's cameo does n't suck !", "a midrange series entry that sports some tasty scenes , mostly in the first half , but also pushes 007 into cgi-driven , quasi-sci-fi territory that feels like a betrayal of what the franchise has always been about .", "an action movie which the word `` blockbuster '' was practically invented for , super spy james bond , as portrayed by pierce brosnan , returns for his twentieth adventure and strives not to mess with a good -lrb- or financially successful -rrb- formula .", "i 've been dining out on this story for years , and the meals seem to be getting poorer .", "the new movie lacks something , a special something .", "MOV has cute amusements , but seems to die every few minutes .", "you may feel a slight sense of opportunity lost , but you 'll leave the film satisfied , perhaps more than you 've been by any bond film in a decade .", "... only bond can save us from the latest eccentric , super-wealthy megalomaniac bent on world domination and destruction .", "about an hour into MOV , i started looking around for fat bastard .", "the latest and least of the pierce brosnan bonds .", "another bond film that turns out to be an unspectacular spectacle , at times winking and fun but too often plodding and hackneyed .", "a lot smarter than your average bond .", "the most thrilling , lavishly designed and imaginative bond picture in years .", "MOV is stylish and state of the art , and bond aficionados will love the anniversary homages to previous films .", "this 20th entry in the 40-year-old series easily emerges as the best of the brosnan bonds .", "this one will please the most loyal -lrb- forgiving -rrb- bond fans ...", "a good solid entry in the bond series , an enjoyable escapist adventure with end-to-end action .", "delivering on every count , MOV is one of the best bond films ever . action-stacked , this roller coaster of thrills combines a riveting narrative with the ever-seductive recipe of innovative gadgets , breathtaking stunts and beautiful women .", "-lsb- the digital effects -rsb- reminded me of terry gilliam 's rudimentary old monty python cartoons , in which he would cut out figures from drawings and photographs and paste them together .", "it fulfills its essential mission to entertain for 2 hours and 12 stunt-filled minutes in its patented , formulaic , satisfying way .", "MOV , the latest entry in the series , almost rejuvenates the franchise because it jettisons bond 's safety net early on .", "this is fun stuff . not brilliant , not enlightening , but fun . finally , a bond film has once again found that crucial balance between modern action and some good , old-fashioned bond fun .", "surely britain 's suavest secret agent can pick up more than this ! i mean , madonna 's in the movie and he ca n't even bag her !!!", "MOV is best processed as an over-the-top symphony of the most absurd elements these movies have to offer .", "this is a sharper , edgier bond , in which first-time bond director lee tamahori allows a smidgen of character work to creep in .", "the first bond movie in ages that is n't fake fun .", "after a summer of tired spoofs and lame imitations , it 's nice to sit back and enjoy a movie that 's bond , pure bond .", "`` MOV '' is a worthy entry in the pantheon of james bond movies .", "this is a train wreck of an action film -- a stupefying attempt by the filmmakers to force-feed james bond into the mindless xxx mold and throw 40 years of cinematic history down the toilet in favor of bright flashes and loud bangs .", "i can hear the collective sighs of little boys and little boys-at-heart across the world : `` whoooaaaaaa . cooooool . ''", "visually stylish .", "disappointing ... -lsb- it -rsb- just lumbers along until periodically someone calls for the stunt men and women .", "a thunderous ride at first , quiet cadences of pure finesse are few and far between ; their shortage dilutes the potency of otherwise respectable action . still , this flick is fun , and host to some truly excellent sequences .", "a fun james bond movie and an entertaining popcorn flick .", "license to kill ? bond has a license to offer barely adequate entertainment .", "to appreciate just how well done it is , compare it to the dumbed-down ersatz bond of xxx . MOV has style and at least a veneer of sophistication .", "there 's no real reason to see it , and no real reason not to .", "welcome back , 007 . it 's about bloody time .", "despite some spectacular action sequences , MOV is n't the strongest entry in the brosnan era of bond films .", "passably entertaining but also mechanical and joyless .", "MOV never escapes the urge to play with everything that 's come before it -- so much so that it forgets to give us something of its own . this is n't a bond film so much as an amalgamation of bond 's greatest hits ...", "brit wit writ by yank wank stank .", "while it has n't reinvented the series -lrb- would we really want that anyway ? -rrb- , there is enough ingenuity here balanced with the staples of the series to keep it , if not entirely fresh , at least from going stale .", "i 'm glad they decided to let james bond MOV because this was one 007 flick that i 'm glad was made .", "james bond movies are like first dates with empty-headed beauty pageant contestants : you get something beautiful to look at but through the course of the evening , you find there is not much depth or substance to match ." ], "summary": "its action may be bit too over-the-top for some , but MOV is lavishly crafted and succeeds in evoking classic bond themes from the franchise 's earlier installments .", "id": "10530" }, { "movie": "princess_and_the_warrior", "reviews": [ "tom tykwer reunites with franka potente for another exploration of fate , chance , and metaphysics , but what sounds like a surefire recipe for success ends up falling short .", "the MOV is an unpredictable , mythic tale about haunted outcasts that is both dazzling and disquieting .", "an inquisitive , aggressively stylistic film , sympathetic to its characters and eager to take risks .", "one of those rare movies that continually reinvents itself while building on what has gone before", "tykwer bails himself out with a strong , imaginative conclusion that delineates his themes of salvation and grace .", "does n't lack for ideas , nor for images that will sweep you up in their boldness and have the resonance of dreams .", "formalistically elegant and meticulous , yet ultimately unengaging .", "this is a love story , but it is n't one you 've ever seen before .", "nowhere near as dynamic as the title implies .", "what 's special about the film is at a deeper level , down where -lsb- tykwer -rsb- engages with the souls of his characters .", "it 's just over two hours long but feels like much more .", "blends elements of romantic thriller , heist movie , and several other genres into something original and unexpected .", "its two characters remain figures , merely symbols .", "an overlong , overdirected mess , which is only sporadically watchable .", "tykwer works hard to cover the emotional ground that he only hinted at in lola . it 's intriguing to watch his characters , because each is in the process of piecing together a broken human being .", "potente and furmann give fine performances in their respective tortured roles .", "it starts to feel like tykwer is drawing things out in artistic fashion merely because he can .", "often fascinating but bizarre and , ultimately , unsatisfying .", "pops with energy .", "playful but ultimately pointless .", "crawl , lola , crawl .", "twyker manages to make a bank robbery sequence , complete with gunshots and death , endlessly dull .", "another winner from writer/director tom tykwer .", "despite its storytelling skill and shimmering visual polish , the MOV is a curiously dispassionate film .", "is n't as playful and giddy as run lola run , but ... it may stick to your ribs longer .", "once in a while a picture comes along that captures not just love , but romance in all its fear , yearning , fantasy , eroticism and unexpected epiphanies .", "it 's a fascinating mix , even when the straight-faced melodrama clangs against such wicked , poker-faced absurdism .", "potente proves her versatility as an actress here with a much more subdued character , but is still capable of delivering powerhouse emotional scenes", "... a film that 's gorgeous to look at , but completely hollow and devoid of compelling characters .", "how do you follow up with one of the most kinetic films ever made ? the obvious answer would be to slow things down , take a more introspective and less visceral approach . in short , do something different .", "it 's hard to think of another movie that satisfies in such unorthodox ways .", "if i could have found more about the human condition uncovered that was plausible , i would have been more receptive to the quirks in this film ...", "an endurance test of overly long sequences bereft of impact .", "una pel\u00edcula muy regular , despu\u00e9s del sabor que nos dej\u00f3 corre lola corre .", "an uncertain and aimless effort that strives for a more character-centered drama while demonstrating very little facility with normal storytelling .", "a slow trudge up a sadly shallow hill .", "this is bravura filmmaking and a movie not to be missed .", "gets better and better as it goes along .", "`` a contrivance and a fraud ... obvious and lazy . ''", "princess wo n't leave you as breathless as did lola 's , but that does n't make it any less astonishing a trip .", "MOV is a botch , but it 's the kind of bad movie that can only happen to a good-and potentially great-filmmaker .", "princess is an exercise in languorousness , with each scene sauntering along with the energy of a three-toed sloth on codeine .", "slack where lola was airtight , gimmicky where lola was stylish .", "while `` the MOV '' contains some beautiful imagery , in the end it covers no new ground", "potente is almost unrecognizable in an incredibly visceral performance as sissi .", "twisty , wittily visual , amazingly fractured fairy tale of fate .", "compelling and decent , but not great .", "you do n't have any idea what 's going to happen next .", "every person 's behavior , tykwer demonstrates with a flourish , is ultimately a matter of chance .", "mesmerizing fable of frozen grief and stubborn love .", "perhaps the greatest surprise is just how the film brings you inside these characters , who on their surfaces look so strange .", "part fairytale , part romance , part self-awakening , part bank heist , there are just too many parts .", "a ghostly , lyrical portrait of things happening accidentally on purpose .", "an original story with an ingenious narrative structure that gradually lures the viewer into its two main characters ' introspective journeys .", "this unconventional love-and-crime yarn will give -lsb- tykwer 's -rsb- admirers plenty of food for thought .", "run lola run had a good beat , and you could dance to it . the MOV , on the other hand , is a little turgid .", "unlike hollywood directors , tykwer takes his time letting us getting to know the characters and to judge whether they are heroes or villains .", "has one of the most thought-provoking and intelligent scripts of any movie i have seen in recent months .", "the boldness of its ambition is matched by the masterful quality of its execution .", "ultra-slick , but ultimately shallow .", "potente ... proves her work in lola was no fluke .", "full of sleek and often stunning images and thrilling effects set to the constant throbbing of an electronic score .", "it 's dreary and self-indulgent but has its crystalline moments .", "if a love miracle is happening in wuppertal , it 's fatally swamped by laborious delaying tactics and glum-glam affectations .", "potente proves she has more than good stamina with this role .", "the MOV is not without strangely interesting characters or scenes , but the overall effect is disappointing and glum .", "takes itself far too seriously .", "in terms of intellectual and emotional stimulation , who could ask for more ?", "a captivating piece of work from an excellent team .", "we wait for the build to climax and pay off , and it never really does .", "a highly imaginative effort which is grounded in the reality of being disturbed .", "the movie ultimately comes across as processed cheese .", "a heady yet disciplined work , a dazzling fable of love , destiny and redemption ." ], "summary": "more slow-moving than run lola run , this film nonetheless offers an intriguing storyline about love and fate .", "id": "13966" }, { "movie": "water", "reviews": [ "one of the best movies of the year with its extraordinary depiction of plight of indian widows and their yearning for liberation .", "artful in showing the positive side of belief and the negative responses to freedom and free thinking", "compelling in the way it gradually opens up , beginning as the story of a little girl 's plight , wedging in some supporting characters , expanding to add some cultural perspective , and finally encompassing no less than the future of india and its people .", "here 's yet another example of people confusing an honorable message with a good movie .", "the film 's visuals hold almost as much power as its story does .", "with none of the joyous zest for life we encountered in fire , or the emotional power from earth , this intense story set in an ashram for widows almost drowns us with sorrow .", "this work of gorgeous fury , about the virtual imprisonment of millions of hindu widows in the years before independence , transforms mehta 's feminist rage into an eloquent testament to the hunger for freedom .", "it could really use a dose of fire 's heat .", "` MOV ' glows from rich and natural lighting , warm and radiant colors , and powerful symbolic imagery .", "unjustly victim to the same religious system to which the main character is faithful , her confines are a strange necessity to her as is the MOV to the lilies .", "... politically provocative ...", "... hitches some of the most irresistible conventions of hindi movie melodrama to an earnest agenda of social protest .", "watch and be stunned .", "... the incessant references to gandhi keep gumming up the class-war love story .", "an exhilarating , intensely moving film of bold , unwavering vision , MOV brings meehta 's elemental trilogy to a triumphant close .", "mehta has inspired her cast to rise from one dramatic challenge to another , and her film is charged throughout with the tension between the wisdom of accepting one 's lot in life and the urge to resist it .", "as chuyia sees this simple pleasure loom so crucially for auntie , the girl 's face shows that she comes of age in a way at once wrenching and inspiring , rendered in details of framing and glimpsing .", "... an involving , moving piece of work with the gloss of an old studio epic .", "... MOV is an exquisite film about the institutionalized oppression of an entire class of women and the way patriarchal imperatives inform religious belief .", "becomes another round of ammo in the argument that a society 's unwillingness to adapt to the changes brought on by an evolving , shrinking world causes much of its misery .", "taken as a whole , MOV presents a damning view of this aspect of fundamental hinduism .", "... an important movie that captures the beginning of modern india in scenes of gandhi preaching his message of freedom .", "... deepa mehta 's controversial new epic is driven by a scorching urgency whose intensity exceeds even the previous two installments of mehta 's elements trilogy of indian romances .", "lyrical imagery is matched with subtle performances .", "it 's a heartbreaking film , and we can see why the powers that be in india are so angry .", "a tribute to all the dispossessed in our world and an amplification of their silent screams", "-lsb- c -rsb- aptivating from the very first frame to the last .", "pretty amazing stuff . pretty incredible movie .", "... a gorgeously shot , melancholy drama about a 7-year-old girl sent to live in a ` widows ' house ' in 1938 india .", "although MOV is easily ms. mehta 's richest and most complex film , it is still the work of a humanitarian , made with incredible tenderness and real concern for the plight of her female characters .", "MOV does n't fully capture the pain and hardship of these repressed women , but it 's a powerful saga of the suppressive force of certain cultural customs .", "like india 's greatest filmmaker , satyajit ray , mehta is a great pure-hearted storyteller and a maker of shining naturalistic images .", "the film is lovely in the way satyajit ray 's films are lovely . it sees poverty and deprivation as a condition of life , not an exception to it , and finds beauty in the souls of its characters .", "succeeds in its central goal : to turn a forgotten class of women into real , memorable human beings who deserve a different life .", "below its surface , MOV is n't about religion , politics or even india . it 's about timeless and universal divides between people , when humanity is eclipsed by self-serving subjugation .", "it levels its criticisms within a climate of respect , a combination that creates a work of true humanity .", "profound , passionate and overflowing with incomparable beauty .", "MOV runs deep because mehta is an able -- if somewhat gloomy -- storyteller .", "tedious as a high-school health-class movie", "it is superb and strange at once , a discreet and self-disciplined attack dog of a movie .", "surprisingly , not much has changed in the last 70 years . the tradition of sequestering widows continues in india . mehta deserves praise for spotlighting this situation . MOV is one of the year 's best films .", "one of the best films of the year .", "full of lush , fluid cinematography and evocative music , MOV is an important look at a social injustice , and mehta 's most accomplished film yet .", "though it 's a story told with feminist sensitivity , it 's also the most relevant perspective for such injustice to women .", "powerful tale that unfortunately fails to provide any kind of real historical context for the oppression of indian widows .", "mehta explores the politics of religion to highlight how religious hypocrisy is used to ensure women are undermined and made subservient for economic purposes .", "... the incidence of violence against women at home or in institutions give mehta 's 1938 tale a currency that confirms the old notion `` actions change , but attitudes do not . ''", "perhaps the adversity of making the movie allowed the filmmakers and actors to empathize more fully with the subject and characters of MOV .", "quite possibly the best picture of the year thus far , with no fewer than three of the most luminous female performances i have ever seen onscreen .", "... gorgeous and heartbreaking ... full of glorious , unforgettably pretty images ... but they do not overpower mehta 's involving drama or the exceptionally fine performances of her stars ...", "detailed and graced with irreverent humor and fine performances , mehta 's film deals powerful blows to economic injustice and misogyny .", "an unforgettable film of devastating beauty", "every moment that is exquisite here ... is tinged with a profound melancholy ... for every beautiful moment ... there is an ugly counterpart ...", "the final chapter in mehta 's feminist trilogy -lrb- fire , earth -rrb- , is , alas , the weakest .", "the humane and courageous clarity of mehta 's storytelling works on you like a hard spring rain .", "packs a punch that is difficult to parry .", "-lsb- mehta 's -rsb- graceful direction keeps MOV from feeling like medicine .", "you 'll leave the theater with a lot to think about , especially regarding the plight of women around the globe .", "mehta 's most powerful film to date", "reminds us that mehta is a filmmaker of courage -- she refused to abandon this film even after fundamentalist protestors shut down the production in india -- and singular style , telling stories that have never been told on screen .", "ebbs and flows with devastating truths and profound insights into the hypocrisy of extremism in any religion .", "mehta 's film is courageous and reticent , a shout masquerading as a whisper .", "beautiful yet sad , a tale drenched in centuries of stagnant , holy MOV that cleanses the body but putrefies the soul .", "mehta has made a film of jaw-dropping beauty and eye-opening insight . it 's not to be missed .", "unfolds with the clean , simple lines of a fairy tale , and if the characters initially seem to be too black-or-white to be believable , the moral complexity of the story reveals itself in a gradual , subtle manner .", "in an elemental way ... the film always works .", "haunting and outraged , it 's a compelling cry against inhumanity .", "this is one of those great foreign films that you wish hollywood would make so more people would go see them .", "a lovely and compelling film .", "works on a large , almost operatic , scale but , instead of seeing its world in simplistic terms of heroes and villains , it 's a tapestry of immensely complex characters motivated by historic forces and quirks of personality .", "like bandit queen and maya , MOV bravely delves into outmoded social traditions of india , thus roiling the waters of religious fundamentalism , which might mean that deepa mehta 's film will never get past the censors in that country .", "both the plot and its symbolism are transparently basic , yet mehta handles them with a quiet , lyrical assurance .", "mehta 's conventional direction fails to do proper justice to this disturbing reality .", "mehta has concocted a potent mix of politics , historical conflict , religion and philosophical questioning .", "an exquisite drama brimming with life and laughter and great tenderness and wrenching tragedy .", "with `` MOV , '' a subdued but moving and emotionally powerful masterpiece , deepa mehta ends her `` elements trilogy '' movies .", "deftly balancing epic sociopolitical scope with intimate human emotions , all polished to a high technical gloss , deepa mehta 's MOV is a profoundly moving drama .", "mehta prevailed , and this scandalous , beautiful and very moving tale of repression , hope and a tragedy is her triumph , and hindu india 's shame .", "controversial for exposing the rigidity of the hindu religion .", "both a high-minded glossy soap opera , in the tradition of a darryl f. zanuck forbidden-love potboiler like ` island in the sun , ' and a fierce expose of the mistreatment of women encouraged by fundamentalist religious tradition ...", "MOV simmers at the injustice heaped upon these women because of religious tradition .", "all the pat plotting and discourse in the world ca n't extinguish the fire of a film this well-intended , sensitively acted and beautifully filmed .", "for those who can accept mehta 's approach , it 's a remarkably rewarding film .", "... you 're an observer to a real dialogue and not merely a viewer in an audience watching a scripted drama and plot unfold .", "the movie 's sentimental vision rests on the flimsy idea that ` real ' religion never sanctions cruelty .", "it slowly builds in emotional power .", "a heartbreaking prism through which to understand the absurdity and cruelty of this practice ." ], "summary": "this compassionate work of social criticism is also luminous , due to both its lyrical imagery and cast .", "id": "98836619" }, { "movie": "1063452-pocahontas", "reviews": [ "as for the songs , they 're guaranteed to keep your shoes glued to the floor", "both resplendent and restrained .", "adult viewers , spoiled by what has come before , may feel that this film , which relates the legendary romance between a chief 's daughter and english adventurer john smith in the new world , is more by-the-numbers than inspired .", "disney deserves praise for raising the ante on its ambitions in animation . next time , though , a little less civics lesson and a little more heart .", "disney 's 33rd animated feature is so good that it deserves to follow in the beautiful footsteps of beauty and the beast and earn an oscar nomination for best picture .", "true to the film 's idealized spirit , directors mike gabriel and eric goldberg similarly fend off history .", "imagine a cult disney cartoon , for this may be it .", "an animated movie of incredible beauty .", "MOV is the best-looking of the modern disney animated features , and one of the more thoughtful : it is about real issues , even if it treats them with naive idealism .", "as long as republicans are in power , the line `` you think the only people who are people are the people who look and think like you '' will remain relevant .", "one of the most scattered of the studio 's famed animated features .", "... being away from its high-powered predecessors , it has marched on well on its own .", "a good one to explain tolerance and diversity to the young ones in your family .", "the disney artists have created a vivid palette for the picture .", "all disney has really done in its disappointing 33rd animated feature is revive the stereotype of the noble savage .", "MOV ca n't get stirred dramatically for political correctness , the finale will please nobody , and the songs are duff . that said , there are enough incidental felicities to pass the time pleasantly .", "why make a disney cartoon and take all the fun out of it ?", "taking advantage of the studio 's breathtakingly intricate animation , directors mike gabriel and eric goldberg have breathed vitality into this , the fifth ` new wave ' disney animated picture .", "with an original score by alan menken and gilbert and sullivan-ish songs by menken and lyricist stephen schwartz , the movie is the cartoon equivalent of a full-scale , high-quality broadway musical .", "overall this seems like a reasonable stab at an impossible agenda .", "overall , MOV is a triumph as a visual experience -lrb- though the music is unusually bland -rrb- , but a disappointment as a film .", "`` MOV '' is n't an a-movie in the disney catalog , but it 's a solid second-tier film that , despite its romanticizing of the `` noble savage , '' nonetheless features themes that are wholesome and consistent with disney 's messaging .", "it 's hard to excuse the reconception of the eleven or twelve-year-old MOV ... as a statuesque supermodel , especially as kids do n't need their stories to be hung on romance to deem them , err , shapely . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "the film of the disney renaissance likeliest to elicit a shudder of dismay from all but the most maniacal disney buffs .", "fine for kids ; just do n't expect a history lesson .", "forgettable .", "just about everything in this lavish , animated feature is for the pigtail set .", "-lsb- a -rsb- handsome , deeply felt , even more deeply reverent animated musical .", "not only historically dubious , but the dullest disney animation for years .", "a surprisingly understated and mature romantic drama that just happens to be animated .", "though released during the disney slump that came post-lion king , MOV was the last truly quality disney animated film until tarzan came along a few years later . it does n't touch the aforementioned lion , but a worthy part of your collection .", "horrible . racist . an affront .", "this is one of disney 's best .", "any damage such revisionist history may impose on young minds is offset by the honestly inspiring thoughts MOV offers .", "enjoyable , but does n't measure up to disney 's recent standards .", "another disney feature destined for the classic status", "... belittles the true historical figure of pocohantas by reducing her to the status of sexy native american barbie .", "centers upon a heroine whose soul and spirit are worth emulating .", "disney 's 33rd animated feature , and its first with characters based on real people , is a stunning movie with clever twists , vivid characterizations , insightful songs and a surprising harvest of revisionist history .", "a refreshing combination of old-fashioned animation and contemporary technology , MOV is less about story and more about the artistic possibilities of color , detail and striking reality .", "one of the worst animated films in disney history , you 'll get more genuine history out of a pop-up book", "disney 's well-meaning solemnity seeps over the characters like spilled ink .", "with MOV , the artists at disney once again prove that when it comes to animation , no can hold a candle to them .", "MOV is a touching tribute to the power of loyalty , courage , cooperation , and , more than anything else , sympathetic understanding ." ], "summary": "MOV means well , and has moments of startling beauty , but it 's largely a bland , uninspired effort , with uneven plotting and an unfortunate lack of fun .", "id": "9544" }, { "movie": "1109257-others", "reviews": [ "a film that has much to recommend it despite its shortcomings .", "y es que no se trata de una cinta de terror o de miedo constante , y esa es la virtud obvia e inmediata : los temores son los propios , la elegante forma de ...", "los otros representa un nuevo cl\u00e1sico del g\u00e9nero , y el tiempo seguramente le dar\u00e1 el justo lugar que merece .", "a masterful film that reinvigorates the long forgotten genre of the female gothic .", "a welcome change of pace from most contemporary scary stories , where the shocks come with all the subtlety of flashers jumping out of park bushes .", "as surprising a gem as you can find in what seems like an increasingly tired genre .", "with a top-notch lead and a talented director , it delivers some smart summer chills that serve as a nice tonic from cgi-laden banality .", "amen\u00e1bar racks up the tension to unbearable levels in a spooky shocker that 's worthy of any comparison with m night shyamalan 's the sixth sense .", "one of the most enjoyable , artfully-constructed films of the year .", "thanks to a deft directorial hand , a wonderful attention to detail and some gloriously entertaining performances , the MOV ranks among the best movies of the year .", "nicole kidman 's brilliant turn dominates this sumptuously made supernatural thriller , which sustains creepy tension without relying on gory violence or special effects .", "the MOV is a modern horror film with an old-fashioned touch , relying on suggestion and suspense to generate fear .", "good but creepy ; may be too intense for some .", "it 's obvious that amen\u00e1bar is trying to subtly build layers of ghostly tension , but man , till it nears the climax , this movie crawls .", "in this elegantly crafted , chillingly effective tale , -lsb- everything -rsb- is significant . nothing in the writing or directing is left to chance .", "a must see - or should that be scream ?", "the ending is rather predictable , but the rest of the film is very skillfully wrought , with excellent performances by adults and children alike .", "the MOV , like its popular predecessors the sixth sense and the usual suspects , keeps us -lrb- here , literally -rrb- in the dark for the entire movie and then , just before everyone packs up to leave , throws a shocking curve our way making us rethink everything we", "the final reel of the MOV is reasonably captivating , but the 85 minutes that come before it are mostly just dull and atmospheric .", "for every dozen slasher films , there is one genuinely innovative and hair-raising horror film that dares to take chances and force you to rely on your imagination", "mr. serling would be pleased .", "the fact that the big surprise is so obvious makes the deliberate pacing seem painfully slow .", "a disquieting , classy , superbly realized horror tale .", "an enjoyable , well made thriller for those who like things that go bump in the night", "creaky , foggy , pale .", "a classically elegant , yet gut-wringing ghost story with a brilliantly conceived twist ending", "the film geek inside of me is satisfied , but the scaredy cat in me is n't .", "a horror film that proves you ca n't have your screams , and substance , too .", "nicole kidman shows off impeccable acting talent .", "rarely has one absorbing premise unraveled so quickly under the weight of the ludicrous twist .", "a tantalizing spine-tingler .", "it 's atmospheric , stylish , and spooky . the plot is well thought-out and its secrets and mysteries are unveiled slowly . unfortunately , it is also cold , distancing , and moves at a glacial pace .", "i saw the ending a mile away and could n't have jumped higher .", "creeps into your bones and makes you shiver .", "the MOV is that most atypical of hollywood productions : it is magnificently understated and dedicated to earning its reactions through that holy cinematic trinity of script , direction , and performance .", "it 's that most rare of spookshows : a literate and mature ghost story that works on multiple levels simultaneously .", "kidman hits perfect notes of stubbornness , desperation , denial and terror as the film builds to its climax .", "this is some of the giddiest , creepiest fun i 've had in a while .", "a simplistic one-trick film i 'm sure to forget about entirely within a week-very much along the lines of the sixth sense -lrb- without its charms -rrb-", "`` my god , was the MOV scary . ''", "a second outstanding performance from nicole kidman in just over two months .", "a welcome throwback film to an era when the thriller belonged to actors and the genre was manipulated by directors , not special effects wizards .", "overall , almenabar offers too little , too late in the story for viewers who like a sporting chance to out-think their thrillers .", "something that giants such as steven spielberg , ridley scott and tim burton have not been able to match so far this year .", "worth seeing more than once .", "is caught in its own netherworld , twixt somber and somnolent .", "refreshingly , the film never resorts to special effects to be spooky .", "one of the year 's best films .", "kidman , who gave a fearless , generous performance in one of the year 's other most original works , moulin rouge , proves equally adept here at the other end of the spectrum .", "the most sophisticated and satisfying ghost story on film since the sixth sense .", "unlike most films about the supernatural , this spellbinding psychological thriller creates suspense through character-development and atmosphere , not by relying on creepy special effects .", "writer-director alejandro amenabar has assembled a chiller that 's thoroughly engrossing without ever grossing us out , and he 's gotten an intense , masterfully modulated performance from kidman that easily ranks among her finest .", "good ghost story ... genuinely creepy .", "like a stranger following in the blackness of twilight , the MOV creeps up on an audience when they least expect it and leaves them breathless and dreading . it 's a throwback to psychological terror films of yesteryear . there 's no blood or foresee", "watch it , and see what was wrong with the zemeckis/ford/pfeiffer flop what lies beneath .", "the sound effects editors and cinematographer ... had a field day with this film .", "hey , shymalan , de bont ... this is how you make a haunted house/ghost story !", "muitos filmes s\u0103o capazes de provocar sustos ; poucos , por\u00e9m , conseguem causar arrepios como os outros .", "-lsb- kidman 's performance turns -rsb- amen\u00e1bar 's simple genre piece into a suggestive fairy tale meditation on mothers and their children .", "... relies as much on the evocation of mood as it does on things that go bump in the night .", "the acting is fine all around . kidman makes for a hair-raising neurotic , and the child actors give subtly nuanced performances .", "everything is designed to service a finale more complex than what preceded without it .", "a tense and fascinating ghost story .", "the director 's technical rigor , in other words , outstrips his conceptual discipline , and midway through the film he crosses the thin boundary that separates mystery from muddle .", "an elegantly crafted entertainment , balanced between the psychological and the supernatural .", "in drawing out his effects , amenabar is a little too confident that style can substitute for substance .", "the MOV stands apart merely for recognizing that animatronic gargoyles are no substitute for unhinged neuroses .", "amenabar , a master of suspenseful pacing , takes his time allowing the layers of perception to be removed .", "the MOV is what the haunting and the sixth sense should have been .", "eschewing the mayhem of most hollywood horror stories , alejandro amenabar makes the fears of grace and her children vivid and palpable .", "its pleasures are subtle and suggestive -- it sticks with you because it knows that the scariest things are the ones you ca n't see .", "amen\u00e1bar expertly lays on the atmosphere and suspense , guiding the action ever-so-subtly until it raises the hairs on the back of your neck .", "too polite , too subdued for its own good .", "when it comes to turning the screws of psychological terror , amenebar is an expert technician .", "if you want a good scare , you should see this .", "even at its most plodding , the film causes more gasps than yawns .", "this narrative-twisty story is helped by strong performances .", "a stylish attention-getter , the movie eventually wears you out without offering that much .", "the film is beautiful to behold but lacking in any kind of palpable dread or suspense .", "the movie has a scary/seductive visual allure , and the mystery of the invisible boy gains power as amenabar allows it to deepen , ever so slightly , from scene to scene .", "the MOV is a thoughtfully chilling movie . it is not the action , but the look , sound and feel that make it nerve-racking .", "creepy-verging - on-campy thriller with a great payoff , but a lot of broken promise .", "favors too much teasing delay spiced by arbitrary insinuations -lrb- war guilt , marital discord , etc. -rrb- and a ` surprise ' topper that could have made even rod serling squirm .", "a thinking person 's horror movie .", "this is the sort of old-fashioned , but highly effective horror / suspense picture that puts any and all ` slasher ' films to shame in both eliciting the goosebumps and delivering the scares in an intelligent fashion .", "clever as the film is , though , it turns out to be an exercise in narrative withholding that 's more headache provoking than suspense laden .", "bumpy at first , with a few too many clich\u00e9s and an awful lot of doors opening and closing . but by its final image -- a beautifully fading portrait through a window -- i was swept in .", "a delicious little ghost story that takes place within the confines of a single haunted house and recalls such minimalist classics of the genre as the innocents and the original version of the haunting .", "an unconvincing , pretentiously artsy pastiche of just about every hoary old gothic thriller you can think of .", "coming near the end of a summer season filled with overproduced , underwritten movies , the MOV feels like a small miracle .", "kidman has thrown herself into her role as if it were lady macbeth on the london stage , with formidable results .", "scary on occasion , cold to the touch and downright creepy at times .", "the film has everything you want in a supernatural thriller except thrills .", "a substantial , evocative piece of cinema and a superior one for its genre .", "it is sure to take a place alongside the creepiest classics .", "suffers from an easily predicted ` twist ' ending that spoils the chill factor .", "the MOV might suffer slightly because it 's similar to other recently told ghost stories , but its single-minded vision and pungent mood go a long way toward tickling the subconscious .", "instead of cheap scares , -lsb- amenabar -rsb- uses atmosphere and light and dark contrasts to build suspense and tension .", "all in all , amenabar has created a ghost story as evocative and authentically english as the mist on the moors .", "throughout the MOV , what you do n't see is more dreadful than what you do .", "sets out to be a classic ghost story , but fails to grasp that special something that makes such films more than layers of mist .", "the creepy joy of this film is in the capacity it has for astounding even the most jaded movie lover .", "an old-fashioned , goose-pimply movie .", "it gives you a case of the creeps oh-so slowly , then hits you with a clever , mind-warping way of saying , ` boo ! '", "the MOV has so many touches reminiscent of the sixth sense that it becomes distracting .", "the gimmicks , in the end , are too arbitrary to tie together in a memorably haunting fashion , though they do culminate in a big twist , a nifty one that almost -- but not quite -- makes you want to see the movie again .", "there 's just enough mystery to keep the audience guessing .", "the MOV is a horror movie in which the scary elements are all psychological , but that does n't mean it does n't sometimes jolt the senses .", "the MOV ... would be unshakably bone-chilling even if you blacked out everything on the screen except nicole kidman 's porcelain face , her eyes frozen wide with fear .", "what it lacks in slick computer graphics is more than made up for in creepy dramatic cliches .", "aims less for subtlety than something out of a horror-movie grab bag .", "an instant classic amongst supernatural thrillers with a finely crafted surprise ending and a hot nicole kidman to boot .", "this one gives you all the requisite chills and thrills , and still manages to be about something .", "the real star of the movie is the atmosphere , presented beautifully by cinematographer javier aguirresarobe and the unknown gaffer , as well as the house itself .", "one of the elevating strengths of the film is that amenabar is telling more than a ghost story . he 's methodically building a character study .", "actually had me wrapped up in the progress of its story and the fate of its heroine .", "packs a formidable fright simply through the time-tested special effect of atmosphere .", "like the best ghost stories , it 's frightening because of what you do n't see ; suspenseful because we anticipate disaster , not because it has struck .", "while most horror movies aim for the stomach , the MOV is made to tingle the spine .", "prioritizes human drama above horror-film gimmickry ...", "a very cool , very creepy , very dark ghost story .", "one of the most elegantly suspenseful ghost stories in years .", "this much i can guarantee , as you keep trying to guess where the story is headed , you will not be disappointed when it gets there .", "this is one scary movie , not because we see ghosts or monsters , but because kidman makes us feel her fear as our own .", "though it creates tension and manages a few effective jolts , ... after it 's over frustrated viewers may be inclined to call it ` the sixth nonsense . '", "a fertile meditation on the human fixation for control over the chaos of life , interwoven with moral certainty in military and existential battle with moral relativity .", "the clever twist almost works to dismiss the tough wait it takes to get to the ending .", "begins with a scream and ends with the best goosebump-inducing finale since the sixth sense .", "the low-key , handsomely photographed production drips with atmosphere and barely suggested menace .", "the MOV evokes a hierarchically-informed spirit world where chaos and acceptance is par for course on one 's way to supreme enlightenment .", "the spookiest movie since ` the sixth sense . '" ], "summary": "the MOV is a spooky thriller that reminds us that a movie does n't need expensive special effects to be creepy .", "id": "75458665" }, { "movie": "1116086-trapped", "reviews": [ "` es en verdad una pena que mandoki est\u0439 realizando cintas tan malas desde hace alg\u044an tiempo , pues talento tiene , pero qui\u0439n sabe d\u0443nde lo tiene escondido . '", "a sleazy , exploitative thriller that milks its child-in-danger premise for all it 's worth .", "it comes off as so silly that you would n't be surprised if ba , murdock and rest of the a-team were seen giving chase in a black and red van .", "i 'm half-convinced it 's a very poker-faced comedy . then again , i may be giving the filmmakers way too much credit .", "... so many directions with so much silliness that a surprise no longer surprises .", "nada poderia preparar o p\u044ablico para o caos que toma conta da produ\u0437\u0433o em seu ato final , que , aparentemente , foi escrito enquanto o roteirista encontrava-se b\u043abado .", "the manner in which this film flies completely off the rails is undoubtedly amusing , but its also disappointing , considering the fair competence of all that came before .", "i do n't mind admitting that the movie , for me , became about courtney love . that 's the effect she has ...", "what started out as a taut contest of wills between bacon and theron , deteriorates into a protracted and borderline silly chase sequence .", "un thriller manqu\u0439 qui tombe sur les nerfs presque d\u0438s la premi\u0438re image .", "point blank : sitting through this feels like being held for ransom .", "the title MOV turns out to be a pretty fair description of how you feel while you 're watching this ultra-manipulative thriller .", "a good , albeit over-plotted thriller with one major twist too many .", "what might have been a tight little thriller is ruined by excess plot contrivances and a badly bungled over-the-top conclusion .", "adapting his novel 24 hours , first-time screenwriter greg iles has neglected to include in his plotting a sense of impending doom , a lack of purpose that is n't helped by the arid filmmaking style of director luis mandoki .", "the movie is a negligible work of manipulation , an exploitation piece doing its usual worst to guilt-trip parents .", "a reasonably efficient mechanism , but it offers few surprises and finds its stars slumming in territory they should have avoided .", "MOV wo n't score points for political correctness , but it may cause parents a few sleepless hours -- a sign of its effectiveness .", "taut , well made ... and memorably performed . it also happens to be thoroughly unpleasant .", "great character interaction .", "never engaging , utterly predictable and completely void of anything remotely interesting or suspenseful .", "brisk hack job .", "the movie is so contrived , nonsensical and formulaic that , come to think of it , the day-old shelf would be a more appropriate location to store it .", "there are individual scenes that pack a real punch , but they are usually followed by something pretty heavy-handed or over-the-top .", "MOV presents a frightening and compelling ` what if ? ' scenario that will give most parents pause ... . then , something terrible happens .", "feels like the faceless product of a hollywood screenwriting computer program , one that provide everything but personality and a brain .", "another disposable kidnapping thriller .", "the smash 'em - up , crash 'em - up , shoot 'em - up ending comes out of nowhere substituting mayhem for suspense .", "a predictable , manipulative stinker . the story passes time until it 's time for an absurd finale of twisted metal , fireballs and revenge .", "there 's one thing that you can say about the generic suspense thriller MOV in that the title aptly captures the claustrophobic feeling one will get in viewing this uneventful kidnapping yarn .", "neatly constructed thriller .", "a tightly drawn , propulsive thriller .", "charlize chases kevin with a gun . courtney chases stuart with a cell phone . the sound of gunfire and cell phones ringing .", "entirely suspenseful , extremely well-paced and ultimately ... dare i say , entertaining !", "true to its title , it traps audiences in a series of relentlessly nasty situations that we would pay a considerable ransom not to be looking at .", "indifferently implausible popcorn programmer of a movie .", "for a good chunk of its running time , MOV is an effective and claustrophobic thriller .", "a relatively effective little potboiler until its absurd , contrived , overblown , and entirely implausible finale .", "this one is probably best seen as a rental . from the looks of things , it should n't take that long to make it to the video store , either .", "`` MOV '' is one of the most hilarious movies that 's hit the big screen this year . unfortunately , it 's supposed to be a dramatic thriller .", "it 's hard to believe these jokers are supposed to have pulled off four similar kidnappings before .", "a direct-to-void release , heading nowhere .", "i felt MOV and with no obvious escape for the entire 100 minutes .", "not really bad so much as distasteful : we need kidnapping suspense dramas right now like we need doomsday thrillers .", "though there are many tense scenes in MOV , they prove more distressing than suspenseful .", "there is no pleasure in watching a child suffer . just embarrassment and a vague sense of shame .", "splashes its drama all over the screen , subjecting its audience and characters to action that feels not only manufactured , but also so false you can see the filmmakers ' puppet strings .", "plays better than your standard kidnapping thriller , thanks to luis mandoki 's taut direction and writer greg iles ' compelling twists and turns .", "nasty , repellent and dull ... a sleazy , sensationalistic but curiously boring kidnap tale that wastes the talents of its starry cast .", "the actors must indeed be good to recite some of this laughable dialogue with a straight face ." ], "summary": "with its plot about child kidnapping and endangerment , MOV is an exploitative thriller , more queasy than suspenseful .", "id": "14131" }, { "movie": "the_life_and_times_of_hank_greenberg", "reviews": [ "a warmly human look at the career of major-league baseball 's most famous jewish star .", "hank greenberg is a cozy affair that leaves the impression of a filmmaker too close to the material .", "valuable as history and resonant with meaning for today .", "educational as well as fun -- a product worthy of its subject .", "for a treatise on u.s. anti-semitism in baseball , aviva kempner 's MOV sure is pleasant .", "the film opens and closes with the marx brothers singing ` take me out to the ballgame ' in yiddish . and how could you resist something like that ?", "a bulging photo album of carefully cropped idolization , its saving grace that the affable , unaffected greenberg appears a worthy recipient of all that devotion .", "a wonderful and much needed tribute to the great jewish baseball player .", "MOV is a sprightly , lovingly researched , rather misty-eyed sports documentary that 's steeped in ethnic pride .", "rousing and humorous .", "the movie commendably and honestly spends almost as much time on greenberg 's failures as his successes .", "were jews the only fans of greenberg ? i doubt it , though the film makes no indication otherwise .", "kempner 's documentary , which has some very funny moments too , weaves an affectionate portrait of the larger-than-life ballplayer into the complicated layers of prewar america .", "an unusually rewarding documentary from director aviva kempner .", "as the director makes abundantly clear , this legendary player -- nicknamed hankus spankus and hammerin ' hank for his awesome ability to spray a baseball around the yard and over the fences -- was more than just an athlete .", "kempner has taken twelve years to complete her loving biography of a baseball legend . hank greenberg would have enjoyed the music and loved his terrific movie .", "aviva kempner 's documentary MOV does what a historical documentary should do . it tells an inspiring story while bringing the past to life and illuminating issues that persist today .", "aviva kempner 's documentary celebration of the detroit tigers first baseman defines one of those instances -- rarer than sportswriters admit -- in which a champion athlete becomes a genuine , all-around hero .", "hank greenberg is an unabashed paean and just a joy to watch . it should be required viewing for all modern athletes who disregard their role-model status .", "greenberg seems down-to-earth and likable , and director aviva kempner slips in just enough baseball history for nonfans to follow greenberg 's story without getting bogged down in diamond minutiae .", "kempner 's lighthearted yet not apolitical collage conveys how greenberg 's success as an athlete in the 30s and 40s contradicted an ethnic stereotype .", "this gem will lift the spirits of baseball fans .", "as good-natured and inspirational as its subject .", "emphasizes the positive moments in his career , and the film is loose-limbed and ingratiating\u00e2 `` much like greenberg himself , who appears in interviews throughout his career .", "a fine , straightforward tribute to a sports giant who faced blatant prejudice and paved away for the likes jackie robinson , hank aaron and other minorities ...", "sharing its subject 's virtues , it is a lovely addition to the annals of the greatest generation .", "one of the most lighthearted documentaries to come out in ages .", "the film is most touching in its 47 interviews with the likes of attorney alan dershowitz , actor walter matthau , baseball greats bob feller , ralph kiner and charlie gehringer , and sen. carl levin .", "for once , the image and the reality make for a perfect fit -- the man and the symbol are one .", "while it preserves his baseball feats , it looks beyond them to clarify greenberg 's place in american culture .", "a touching homage to a man who triumphed over bigotry to become a baseball legend .", "aviva kempner 's warm and intelligent mash note to a man who clearly deserved it .", "greenberg led by quiet example -- and left an indelible mark on thousands of young lives , not to mention a plaque in baseball 's hall of fame .", "aviva kempner hits a grand slam in her thrilling documentary about baseball , about a great baseball player , about jews in america and about the country itself in the 1930s and 1940s .", "MOV is a gem of a baseball documentary because it illuminates what the hall of famer 's splendid career meant away from the ballpark .", "MOV is precisely what a documentary ought to be : engaging and revelatory , turning forgotten footnotes and discarded minutiae into the stuff of riveting drama and poignant laughs .", "a moving tribute to an overlooked american icon who invariably exhibited an admirable combination of integrity , humility and loyalty .", "kempner demonstrates how the star 's success and dignified bearing inspired a generation of jews to fight through the ethnic barriers in all fields .", "writer-director aviva kempner crafted this love letter to greenberg by imaginatively weaving interviews with great footage from newsreels and feature films .", "former detroiter kempner infuses her portrait of hank greenberg with such a joie de vivre that it 's a delight for the already converted and nonsports fans alike .", "it 's an adroit manipulation of interviews and stock footage , mostly along the lines of establishing not so much what hammerin ' hank did for himself , but what he meant to american jews .", "kempner puts cole porter standards to movie clips from pride of the yankees , woman of the year and others , providing the right amount of baseball nostalgia .", "it is the quintessential version of the story of the classic mythic hero , one who begins as underdog without a chance , and faces insurmountable challenges and hurdles to become a champion , doing it all with grace , grit and style .", "aviva kempner serves up a loving portrait of a man whose hall of fame baseball career is matched only by his enduring status as a jewish folk hero .", "MOV is informative and fun and one does n't have to be a baseball expert to appreciate its fervor and genial charm .", "an excellent example of the kind of sound , conventional documentary that 's consistently interesting and informative , even if it never tries anything new .", "kempner 's movie is not for baseball fanatics only . ` greenberg ' paints a vivid portrait of america in the first half of the century ...", "it seems too much to ask a movie to entertain , inform and inspire . for it to also work as sports story , social history and biography is a home run with men on base .", "if you 're a baseball fan , you should n't miss this film .", "kempner is content not to question his heroism , which is usually a suspicious practice for a documentary , but a myth as powerful and sustaining as greenberg 's is better left unpunctured .", "i 'm from detroit myself and i used to go see tiger games as a kid , and i really enjoyed this fascinating documentary .", "despite its limitations , this very conventional documentary is a satisfying study of a man who faced immense challenges with courage and integrity .", "the story is a winner and so is this film by aviva kempner .", "you do n't have to be a fan of the sport to appreciate kempner 's vivid , exhaustively researched film , or greenberg himself .", "through its carefully researched and selected film clips , it reveals a lot about what america was all about in the early 20th century .", "a marvelous pastiche of a legendary sports hero , a compelling and fascinating tribute to one of baseball 's great figures , in size -lrb- six feet four -rrb- and accomplishment .", "it becomes a look at the social and political climate of america just as much as a baseball biography ." ], "summary": "MOV is an affectionate , often very funny portrait of a baseball pioneer .", "id": "11136" }, { "movie": "agent_cody_banks", "reviews": [ "an entertaining film for kids and young teens .", "-lsb- muniz 's -rsb- cute , was paid $ 2 million and should start pondering the career arc of mickey rooney .", "the concoction does n't taste like anything special , but a has refreshing hint of sweetness .", "MOV provides the kind of high-quality entertainment one would expect in an adult action adventure that is expected to rake in major bucks .", "dedicated to helping kids make a transition , smoothing the way between boy 's life readers and maxim readers .", "those who are n't part of the 10 - to 13-year-old target audience will probably also find it witless and derivative .", "unfortunately for MOV , someone already made a movie about spy kids , and it was called ` spy kids . '", "a wasteful , if painless , diversion .", "although the original spy kids worked , MOV proves that things seldom taste as good a second or third time .", "overall , the film will probably be enjoyable for younger viewers -- especially fans of muniz -- but otherwise is n't as successful at putting the spy kid through the teen years .", "one of the more satisfying youth romps in recent memory .", "this sure is n't a movie for kids . director harald zwart is obsessed with angie harmon 's cleavage . it 's as if he could n't decide whether to rip off james bond or `` the graduate . ''", "believe it or not , the action sequences are pretty darn great , from nicely choreographed fights -lrb- against school bullies , of course -rrb- to nail-biting chases on snowboards .", "a high element of sleaze and a low element of intelligence .", "MOV has a tv movie feel to it . the special effects are kind of hokey , the jokes pretty lame and the stunts looked like they 're performed by stunt performers .", "in this generation of family-friendly secret agents , cody banks is agreeably entertaining , better than the first spy kids , not as good as the second and not nearly as clever as cats & dogs .", "fairly typical and overly gadget-oriented spy business .", "the premise and the casting are pure kids ' stuff , but zwart and company have littered the film with enough adult images to merit a pg-13 rating .", "every fun moment is cancelled out by an unimpressive action scene , or the painful over-acting of several cast members .", "... presents passable entertainment for most anyone under 12-but that 's about it .", "it 's as though for every good idea the movie has , someone from the writing committee jumped in and said , ` yeah , but let 's put a fart joke right after that . '", "never quite as funny as it could have been , MOV is nevertheless far too genial to dislike .", "se voc\u0436 quer conhecer jovens espi\u0448es que realmente mere\u0443am sua aten\u0443\u0441o , as melhores op\u0443\u0448es ainda s\u0441o os dois pequenos espi\u0448es e o tenso os her\u0437is n\u0441o t\u0436m idade .", "muniz is an extremely likeable actor and the fact that banks is meant to be pathologically shy around girls offers a handy point of identification for its target audience .", "will kids enjoy this ? well , does a child like candy ?", "when -lsb- muniz 's -rsb- cody gets close to a girl , there is an eager terror on his face and in his body language that hits the adolescence angst nail squarely on the head .", "a childish version of the james bond story about an awkward teen thrust into a mission to save the world .", "has a surprisingly grown-up feel to it ... which makes it more entertaining for everyone watching .", "there 's just something about muniz . he 's so gosh darn cute with those big , blue , sincere eyes .", "although director harald zwart does fortify this intentionally cheesy high-tech showcase with a sledgehammer of energetic flair and silliness , his juiced-up narrative can not overcome the inevitable comparisons to the far superior spy kids flicks .", "a lot more enjoyable -lrb- for kids and adults -rrb- than most of what passes as kids entertainment nowadays .", "... essentially a mediocre rehash of various spy flicks .", "welcome to our second annual spring frankie muniz morally problematic spy kids rip-off movie , featuring hilarious hijinks offending each year against a different one of the ten commandments .", "mostly fun and playful , but occasionally strays from its own sense of innocence .", "a wholly uninspired spy kids knockoff that squanders some decent high-tech gadgetry with its slipshod plotting and clunky pacing .", "MOV reimagines your average james bond flick as kiddie porn .", "strives to be a james bond spoof but fails to find its niche .", "there 's nothing really wrong with MOV . parents will find it a harmless and reasonably efficient time-killer , i suppose . but it 's unimaginative and passionless .", "just another threadbare , gravely puerile james bond movie but marketed directly at your children ... which is something to think about .", "the movie seems to be set against the silvery backdrop of the sharper image catalog .", "just too familiar and unimaginative to be anything more than a forgettable time-waster for undemanding family audiences .", "while its plot does n't stand up to even a modest amount of logical scrutiny , the flick has a comical , junior-james bond spirit that 's hard to resist .", "the stars of tv 's malcolm in the middle and lizzie mcguire make a dashing pair of big-screen leads in this junior austin powers fantasy .", "bond-worthy gadgets to see -lsb- cody -rsb- through his first assignment , but what he really needs is a third-act rewrite .", "the film is smartly done and suited for family viewing .", "had the movie chosen to go the campy route , muniz probably would have shined , using his face and vacant delivery to their fullest potential . but most of the time , everything is played ridiculously straight .", "an enjoyable kid spy spoof with likeable characters .", "... cody banks is a little older than the spy kids and , consequently , more into the girl thing . i 'm not sure it improves the picture .", "only a kid could love it , but they do .", "muniz and duff seem to be two perfectly normal teenagers thrown in the midst of an elaborate fantasy , and they pull it off beautifully .", "dreadful , witless and pointless .", "a bland and condescending adaptation of an adult action film for a younger audience .", "zwart pulls out enough stops in action sequences involving jet-propelled skateboards , stunt drives and mountain rescues to keep the ball rolling nicely .", "the movie is bouncy and colourful , and cheesy in a nice way , but it outstays its welcome in the last half hour .", "a formulaic hollywood ` crowd-pleaser ' that can be summed up in three words -lrb- ` teenage james bond ! ' -rrb- .", "this may be a case of mission unaccomplished , but the future looks brighter for cody banks than it does for austin powers .", "teen spy tale is another success for young frankie muniz and is backed by a broad spectrum of unexpected talents .", "what makes this bond spoof great fun for grade-school kids and older , as well as adults , is the casting .", "the idea is a cute one -- but it was cuter when they did the same thing in spy kids . ''", "-lsb- muniz -rsb- has an endearing blend of self-deprecation , innocence and smarts that works well here .", "this elaborate and good-natured entertainment is never as funny as it should be , but it 's also never wanting for energy .", "this frankenfilm comes lumbering out of the laboratory of the danish director harald zwart , any trace of personality surgically removed and replaced by a fully road-tested cliche .", "MOV may be targeted at teens , but even their grandparents might consider it fun .", "is it entertaining ? you bet .", "... less about gadgets and spies than the awkward , hollow feeling a boy gets in his stomach the first time he calls a girl .", "sure , maybe it 's formulaic and hardly original , but like comfort food , it satisfies .", "the repetitious script -- cobbled together by no fewer than five writers -- shows interest in nothing beyond action-centered plot gimmicks and tame romantic shenanigans .", "illogical , thrown-together claptrap .", "sorely lacking in suspense , humor or originality , MOV aspires to the lowest rung of the peanut gallery .", "this movie is so wearying in its mediocrity , the inappropriate ronica almost registers as dramatic relief . i said almost .", "uninspired and unabashed rip-off of spy kids .", "it 's not smart enough or exciting enough to be an action movie , and it lacks the childlike goofiness that the spy kids franchise has by the boatload .", "the movie will be compared with the two spy kids pictures , and looks more expensive and high-tech but is n't as much fun .", "so slick and preprogrammed that even its preteen audience may dismiss it as formula .", "the adults may have some problems getting excited about this movie , but it 's entertaining for the kids .", "this juvenile take on the james bond films feels more like a heavily watered-down vodka martini than a genuine offering for kids .", "muniz and duff have a huge following , but they 're at the service of endless meet cutes and a violent finale that could easily be dubbed ` explosion parade . '", "its likeable cast and characters make this pic a tolerable undertaking .", "director harald zwart and his team of writers score with fast-paced fun , if scant originality .", "as unoriginal as it is , it 's still watchable . wait to rent it .", "muniz must carry this movie alone -- and he 's equal to the task .", "-lsb- muniz -rsb- keeps cody banks watchable on energy alone but his scenes with the pallid , uncharismatic duff are as dull as watching two actual pubescents meet at the mall .", "banks takes a nice premise and does absolutely nothing original with it , instead burdening a plot derived from too many james bond movies with cheap special effects and flat jokes .", "this is director harald zwart 's first foray into the action genre , and he 's clearly out of his element .", "some special effects toward the end may scare the little ones , but for the most part , this is charmingly innocent , good fun .", "kids attending MOV wo n't need candy . the film itself is a 90-minute sugar rush .", "the writing 's too adult in places and to ` childish ' in others . this makes the whole thing uneven and stupid .", "a mundane , kid-empowerment fantasy distinguished only by frankie muniz 's agreeable blend of haplessness and heroics .", "a listless , tween james bond wannabe .", "the film is cute but never much beyond that .", "too violent for children and too recycled for adults .", "a painless hour and a half .", "while lacking the zip and imagination of robert rodriguez 's spy kids movies , cody banks is an amiable enough mixture of james bond-lite adventure and chaste teenage romance .", "unlike last year 's unimaginative and boring big fat liar , cody banks is enjoyable and clever .", "an amusing diversion .", "it 's not a great movie , but it 's fun entertainment ." ], "summary": "should satisfy young teens , but offers nothing new for those who are familiar with the formula .", "id": "11505" }, { "movie": "pitch_black", "reviews": [ "it may not linger in the memory any longer than your last nintendo session , but it 's an exhilarating two hours .", "hmm , where have i seen this kind of thing before ?", "even though it 's riddled with some of the lamest , dumbest dialogue imaginable , MOV is a total guilty pleasure .", "a flashy , moderately creepy sci-fi monster flick .", "MOV is the kind of b-movie you hope to discover regularly but find only once every few years .", "moviegoers rejoice ! the first fun movie of the year has arrived .", "though highly derivative of alien , this handsomely photographed , briskly directed sci-fi fright picture is enjoyable enough on its own limited terms .", "worth sitting in the dark for .", "decent , suspenseful entertainment .", "we are living in a world populated by ` alien ' knockoffs , you know it ... the good news is that this is a knockoff with style .", "some hard-core science-fiction fans might nit-pick over details in MOV , but for the average moviegoer looking to be entertained , this roller-coaster of a film should not be missed .", "at least as much as the blair witch project before it , MOV shows us how disconcerting total darkness can be .", "lackluster both as science-fiction and horror .", "one of the best of the sci-fi spectacles cut from the alien cloth .", "a solid entry in the genre of science fiction horror .", "the action scenes are good , if sparse .", "manages to surprise and delight , thanks to its small-scale attitude .", "hey man , it 's february . you 've already picked through all the leftover oscar-bait you can take , so it 's no time to be picky .", "MOV deserves to be recommended as a solid piece of genre entertainment .", "the derivativeness of the script keeps any tensions from building into any kind of scariness .", "dumb , direct and derivative .", "ferocious attacks by the planet 's monstrous creatures manage only partially to alleviate the tedium that defines the movie .", "neither scary nor exciting nor much of anything , save eyestrain .", "-lsb- the actors -rsb- are graduates of the arnold schwarzenegger school of emoting .", "laughable plot points .", "the screenplay , credited to twohy with jim and ken wheat , for a scary movie has n't a scary idea on any of its pages .", "lowbrow story line .", "you wo n't waste your time watching MOV . but there are better things to do .", "a routine sci-fi/horror action-adventure , takes us where we 've been countless times before .", "director and co-writer david twohy has stolen from so many other movies in order to cobble together the paltry MOV .", "full of such illogical moments .", "to say the movie could have been great is most accurate ; unfortunately , neither the characters nor the story have anywhere to go once the nightfall has settled in .", "we 've seen this movie before .", "sadly , MOV was directed by the man who made the best science fiction movie of 1996 , the arrival .", "a tiresome experience .", "while MOV offers plenty in terms of cheap thrills and jolting scares , there 's little else to justify it as a worthy moviegoing experience .", "there 's lots of promise for this twohy guy , assuming he gets hold of a more audacious story -lrb- maybe not his -rrb- next time around .", "logic is definitely not the strong suit of MOV . but then , neither is consistent characterization , smart dialogue , originality , subtlety or any of the other benchmarks of quality filmmaking .", "made to please those who ca n't get enough rote , cheesy sci-fi , MOV promises to make us long for the glory days of species 2 and deepstar six .", "in the movie 's last hour , writer-director david twohy pretends to explore his stick figures ' moral choices , and he forgets to deliver the thrills .", "an enjoyably tense sci-fi horror show from david twohy ...", "despite the scientific and logical lapses , it is a pretty good adventure yarn with some interesting twists and turns .", "MOV is relentless in its integrity ; it 's lean and mean and it does n't waste time .", "it is an entertainment and quite a good one too .", "MOV is the movie of the season for sci-fi and horror fans !", "this is filmmaking that 's lean , mean and -lrb- in diesel -rrb- boasts one hell of a fighting machine .", "-lsb- david twohy -rsb- tweaks this formulaic escape-from-hell story with just enough original touches to give it a lift .", "it 's not an especially challenging part , but diesel handles it with aplomb .", "proving that low-budget genre-based entertainment can be just as easily ferociously inventive and character-driven as its big-budget competition can be lazy and boring .", "the film works because it 's strong on fundamentals : fear of the dark , fear of helplessness , fear of the unknown , and fear of unpredictable human behavior .", "-lsb- it -rsb- may be another alien rip-off , but it 's a rip-off with class , style and a lot of heart .", "against all odds , MOV hit me in the right places , and i believe that those who are lucky enough to give it a chance wo n't forget it either for at least one reason ... vin diesel .", "the alien and space-flight fx are impressive , and diesel and fly girl radha mitchell are likable , but the cheap cinematography and a story line that 's been pitched too many times already signal a career in eclipse .", "it may not be original , but it is smart . more importantly , it 's scary .", "MOV is action science-fiction that barely qualifies as action and not at all as either science or fiction .", "by no means an excellent movie , or even a reasonably good one , but it is much better than most of its sic-fi brethren today .", "-lsb- a -rsb- derivative , plot-hole ridden sci-fi flick , redeemed only by the blazing star-in-the-making quality of vin diesel .", "features some lovingly crafted effects -- notably director of photography david eggby 's bleached colour palette -- and some vivid characterisation .", "with a witty script and a cool sense of building dread , MOV is a surprisingly entertaining sci-fi thriller .", "the script is a compendium of science-fiction clich\u00e9s , familiar in hollywood movies since the early fifties .", "a better example of this type of movie than most .", "MOV will leave you with the sudden urgency to leave the hall light on .", "a mediocre but nonetheless entertaining copy of the alien films .", "infinitely more watchable than the bloated , baffling supernova .", "the latest film from writer / director david twohy , a man whose career seems aimed at proving that low-budget genre-based entertainment can be just as inventive and character-driven as its big-budget competition can be lazy and boring .", "as seat-jumping popcorn movies go , it 's pretty cool .", "vin diesel rocks !", "makes a better platform for a beginning astronomy class than action-packed thriller .", "despite far too many video-game moments and annoying taglines , the scifi thriller MOV just may be the most entertainingly derivative movie of the millennium so far .", "if MOV is a likable sci-fi thriller , it 's because it has the heart of a cheeseball '70s disaster movie beneath the horror trappings of computer-generated mutant bats and winged demon aliens .", "MOV is so jaunty , so limber , and so visually self-assured that art peeks through where crap has traditionally made its home .", "although this script never met a clich\u00e9 that did n't fit like a glove , there are potent moments to send your popcorn flying .", "despite its rip-offs -lrb- mostly of alien -rrb- , MOV delivers not only on thrills and suspense , but on artistic direction and clever plotting .", "vin diesel 's demeanor is refreshing and the combination of his voice and physical build make his character memorable .", "it has no aspirations to be more than what it is , yet another alien ripoff with a half-baked premise . it just wants to be a really good alien ripoff with a half-baked premise .", "do n't take MOV too seriously , and it will scare you silly .", "flawed and ambitious , MOV 's murky challenge to sf-action heroic conventions is its most redeeming feature .", "even those who shun the gripping effect of horror films might find MOV a challenge worth taking on .", "a visual winner .", "director david twohy , who made the aliens-among-us thriller the arrival , keeps things moving .", "under the circumstances it 's not really fair to blame the actors , whose amateurishness seems appropriate to the material -lrb- although diesel 's stolid machismo is so over-the-top as to be pretty laughable -rrb- .", "a smart , suspenseful sci-fi movie from director twohy , whose underrated 1996 film , the arrival , also brought visual imagination and intelligence to the genre .", "a noisy , nightmarish waste of time and money , the producers ' and yours .", "it is easy to root for the aliens to possibly , against all odds for such formulaic films , pick off all the survivors of the spacecraft .", "a cut-above the b-movie fare which pollutes the genre .", "nothing here breaks any new ground .", "original riddick pic is violent , with teamwork rewarded .", "contains unpredictable nuances that make for thrilling amusement", "MOV is such a stinker that it makes twohy 's previous sci-fi thriller , the arrival , look halfway decent .", "a solid creature feature , but not at all a revelatory one .", "a fairly efficient science fiction monster film , somewhat in the mold of an old 1950s b-movie .", "if only there had been as much time spent on creating believable aliens as there obviously was on the landscape .", "... your typical run-for-your-life-the-monsters-are-coming science fiction adventure that requires one to park his brain at the front door of the theater before entering .", "one of the better sci-fi movies to come around in a very long time .", "barely intermittent , reminding us that the b-movie is still very much with us .", "this movie is so disposable and indistinctive that i do n't want to review it -- i want to briefly mention it in a conversation about silly sci-fi and then forget it forever .", "in the thrills department , MOV is a hands-down winner . it has a good setup , and all of the suspense sequences are perfectly paced .", "catch it on cable .", "was everyone so gung-ho on making a stylish sci-fi flick that it never occurred to anyone how nonsensical and even amoral the whole thing was ?", "the dialogue and performances are flat when not laughably bad .", "a filmmaker just ca n't have it both ways when he decides he wants to make aliens meets les miserables .", "a step backward from the arrival .", "MOV is one of those annoyingly noisy outer-space thrillers where you ca n't figure out the characters ' names at first , and when you finally do , they are either dead or you hate them .", "a very streamlined exercise in interplanetary mayhem and the logistics of the body count ." ], "summary": "despite an interesting premise -lrb- and a starmaking turn from vin diesel -rrb- , MOV is too derivative and formulaic to fully recommend to sci-fi or action fans .", "id": "17596" }, { "movie": "solaris_1976", "reviews": [ "a visionary science-fiction film that takes us on a profound voyage into both outer and inner space .", "there was so much to think about afterward , and so much that remained in my memory .", "this movie is divine like an italian cathedral : it 's solemn , huge in scope and deeply meditative .", "ambiciosamente filos\u00f3fico , MOV \u00e9 uma reflex\u0103o maravilhosa e fascinante sobre o conceito de realidade , felicidade e tamb\u00e9m sobre a pr\u00f3pria natureza humana .", "draggy , but compelling , if you 've read the book .", "meditative cinema .", "... -lsb- tarkovsky 's -rsb- camera lingers oppressively on things that mean absolutely nothing .", "a million light years removed from the pseudo-religious grandstanding of kubrick 's acid-trip space odyssey , this takes kelvin -- and us -- on a journey into the uncharted depths of inner space .", "the most pop film the great russian filmmaker ever made .", "some movies are like dieting - you got ta stretch some muscles if you want the most satisfying results .", "a masterpiece for those willing to work for it .", "the second half of the film poses such utterly fascinating questions that any early stodginess is more than redeemed .", "the third feature in tarkovsky 's brief , shining career will deliver you from the mundane to the sublime .", "it is , along with 2001 , the best science fiction film ever made .", "the sort of film that gets better as it progresses and once you 're into it can be very rewarding in the end .", "did i understand it ? no . is it nonetheless a must-see of any sci-fi obsessive ? absolutely .", "haunting , provocative , beautifully shot and infused with an irresistable , tender sadness , this is sci-fi , and indeed cinema , at its most powerful and mysterious .", "... addictive , serenely maddening", "one of the great movie mind benders .", "tarkovsky 's speculative visions enfold the mysteries of death and rebirth , the lost paradise of childhood , the power of art to define identity , the menace of science as destructive vanity ...", "viewers with patience will find ` MOV ' mesmerizing , visual and emotional food for thought even if such thought is open to a rainbow of interpretations , or to none .", "-lsb- video essay -rsb- andrei tarkovsky 's prodigious ability to conceptualize grand-scale narrative structure with a fluid sense cinematic time continues to influence filmmakers even if few rise to such dizzying heights .", "the effects are scanty , the drama gloomy , the philosophy of the film thick as a cloud of ozone . the plot is not all that original either .", "its discussion of passion and obsession , regret and reconciliation is consistently challenging and offers few easy answers .", "in andrei tarkovsky 's MOV , we have made contact with the aliens , and they want you to call your mom .", "proves the yin to kubrick 's yang , not out of contrarian longing , but because that was the form best suited for the content tarkovsky wanted to explore .", "a thought-provoking sci-fi drama that makes the point that the mysteries of inner space are as awesome as those of outer space .", "la escena final es una de las secuencias m\u00e1s poderosas que se han filmado jam\u00e1s ...", "to view the work of andrei tarkovsky ... is to look into the face of god .", "a pulsating , frustrating , enigmatic science fiction masterpiece , a film of great metaphysical weight that demands multiple viewings and an open mind .", "this complex and sometimes very beautiful film is about humanity but hardly at all about politics .", "the larger theme of MOV is communication itself , particularly the failure of communication between people .", "a dazzlingly imaginative work with awesome production values and special effects that bear comparison to those of 2001 .", "with its paucity of special effects , umpteen changes in film stock and deliberate pacing , MOV upends sci-fi 's propensity for making a fetish of technology .", "more an exploration of inner than of outer space , tarkovsky 's eerie mystic parable is given substance by the filmmaker 's boldly original grasp of film language and the remarkable performances by all the principals .", "once you accustom yourself to its pace -- it takes probably the first hour -- it 's a hypnotic experience .", "it 's a smart response to the superficial excesses of the sci-fi genre .", "it 's unique : a sci-fi feature wherein most of the exploration is done within the human soul , a kind of obverse of what we usually expect from the genre .", "make sure to see the long version -lrb- 167 minutes -rrb- of tarkovsky 's provocative sci-fi , one of the best of its genre", "a brilliantly imaginative work of art .", "slow , but ravishingly beautiful and charged with a real poignancy .", "andrei tarkovsky spins a strange , slow but absorbing parable on life and love in the guise of a sci-fi theme ." ], "summary": "MOV is a haunting , meditative film that uses sci-fi to raise complex questions about humanity and existence .", "id": "22501" }, { "movie": "seres_queridos_2006", "reviews": [ "while disaster ensues , the directors have the sense to avoid the obvious , finding trouble in the least predictable of places .", "only human , a vigorously paced modern screwball comedy ... explores family values , and leni and rafi 's mismatched cultural backgrounds , with a refreshingly light touch .", "if you do n't have a family of believable jewish characters to begin with , the whole thing falls apart .", "moves along briskly , with several laugh-out-loud moments .", "all too often emphasizes tired , unconvincing shtick at the expense of substance and genuine wit .", "sounds like basic sitcom stuff . but the story is carried out with a composure best exemplified by the performance of toledo , an agile and graceful comic actor who sometimes suggests an owlish cary grant .", "thoroughly satisfying ... manages to tackle its serious moments deftly and without losing momentum .", "there 's nothing subtle about pelegri and harari 's culture-clash romp , but it 's sometimes frantically funny .", "what could have been an 85-minute tutorial in judeo-arab relations is an exuberantly acted farce .", "-lsb- a -rsb- cheery , expertly constructed spanish farce .", "a smart and dark comedy from spain , only human manages to say cogent things about the nature of intolerance and love while being fitfully hilarious .", "the irreverent comedy of family feuds , impulsive leaps of -lrb- il -rrb- logic , and temporary amnesia is more screwball eccentricity than social satire .", "there 's a political and social clash at its core , but the laughter comes from a deeper , human place -lrb- see title -rrb- .", "a familiar situation of a beloved daughter bringing her intended home to meet the folks is pushed to sublimely silly extremes .", "offers passing amusements , for sure , but the gap between its brilliant potential and its final execution is frustrating .", "a spanish comedy that is n't quite as frenzied or farcical as its husband-and-wife writer-director team clearly intended it to be .", "amiable , and occasionally even insightful , but also sometimes just silly and at others a trifle tasteless ... a mixed bag that , unhappily , does n't deliver quite enough .", "it lets frantic get so far ahead of funny , the latter gets lost in the dust .", "mines the comic possibilities of the classic setup of introducing the fianc\u00e9 to the family , with results that are playful , charming and surprisingly thoughtful .", "there are many amusing moments in only human ; the film is never dull .", "an energetic , colourful farce that attempts , in its own small way , to figure out why people find it so hard to live in harmony .", "the only lesson it has to impart is that a gifted , charismatic cast can elevate the most tired material into something closer to mediocrity .", "the secret to only human 's appeal is that the silliness is performed matter of factly , so it becomes a new , cracked definition of normal .", "only human -lrb- MOV -rrb- , generally speaking , does n't work .", "while the comedy is at times sharp but mainly chaotic in that frenzied european style , it seems the filmmakers actually intended to make a statement about jews , arabs , and the possibility that love can out maneuver politics and overcome unimaginable histo", "... well-intentioned and charming , a deliberately downsized film that despite its high concept finds humor in the domestic more often than the political .", "a fresh and funny spanish take on the classic family screwball comedy .", "writer-directors dominic harari and teresa pelegri have penned an amusing script and , as directors , inject a delicate human texture into the story 's intermixing of capricious zaniness , frank sensuality and mideast politics .", "the laughs more than make up for the familiarity .", "more than just a spotlight on wacky family members and screwball situations ... a simple statement about some absurd perspectives on the israel-palestine conflict .", "a rare , optimistic ray of hope about the prospects of jewish-muslim relations .", "the joy in watching ` only human ' comes from outrageous situational humor and perfectly delivered dialogue by actors having fun doing what they do .", "the results are dubious , but ultimately , the litmus test for whether individual viewers will enjoy only human depends more than on their tolerance for shrill meet the parents-style discomfort comedy than on their views of middle eastern poli", "teresa de pelegri and dominic harari , making their feature debut , are as interested in the realistic drama of the situation as they are the clash of cartoonish characters , and they lurch uncertainly from one to the other .", "the more i write about this film , the more ridiculous it sounds .", "although it has its undeniably funny moments , the film sacrifices its credibility in its strained attempts to achieve a level of screwball comedy that requires a level of wit and pacing , not to mention some credibility , that is not reached here .", "winningly human , and wonderfully funny .", "the writing is excellent , the acting is superb -- all of the components necessary for a successful comedy .", "... amusing , but not overwhelming , farce ...", "shines a glaring light on sibling rivalry , cultural rifts and filial devotion without ever descending into pap or sentimentality .", "there 's some silliness , but what the heck ? you 're entertained for an hour and a half .", "combines a deftly-turned script , fine perfs and a feel-good message to mostly delightful effect .", "at times irrepressibly hilarious , only human milks every possibility of clash with dark humor .", "for all its boisterous chutzpah , there is little charm in this .", "the story 's funny familial crisis takes on the dimensions of the israeli-palestinian conflict .", "an energetic farce about a family 's response to a jewish-muslim marriage engagement", "this engaging film wins us over with its sharp humour and surprising warmth . and its brave timeliness .", "succeeds in its bewildering dark sentiments but pushes them farther than they need to go .", "well-meaning but forgettable .", "not very funny and mildly antisemitic", "it 's been a long time since a movie got this much comic mileage out of the devalued reaction shot ." ], "summary": "a cheerfully energetic screwball comedy , only human milks laughs from its culture-clash premise .", "id": "155655065" }, { "movie": "man_without_a_past", "reviews": [ "finnish filmmaker aki kaurism\u00e4ki 's serious sense of social compassion does n't get in the way of great dark jokes in the MOV .", "kaurismaki is finland 's greatest filmmaker , and never has he more artfully balanced his patented blend of deadpan humor , low-key melodrama , and toe-tapping music .", "an understated but weirdly grabbing portrait of a man who loses his memory after being mugged and cobbles together an alternative existence with minimal means .", "sublime , with a touch of the ridiculous .", "although this 2003 oscar nominee did n't take the golden boy home -lrb- nowhere in africa got it instead -rrb- , this is definitely a film with a great future in the art-house circuit .", "an extraordinarily good-natured movie .", "a surprisingly quirky and touching romantic comedy .", "hopeful about the ability for man to persevere in a capricious world .", "offers a surprisingly touching and simple story about human dignity in the most trying of circumstances .", "-lsb- a -rsb- warm and utterly beguiling fable .", "one of kaurismaki 's more pleasant and likeable films .", "it is at once artful and unpretentious , sophisticated and completely accessible , sure of its own authority and generous toward characters and audience alike -- a movie whose intended public is the human race .", "it 's impassive , impressive stuff from kaurism\u00e4ki , who creates a heart-warming tale set against his nation 's blighted economy .", "this film finds the finn at his sunniest and most accessible .", "this is a very simple story , but it builds beautifully to an endearing and witty romance .", "the problem is , the humour of the material does not combine as well as it should with the filmmaking style . the method is absurdist , and so are the characters , and there 's nothing straight to play off .", "kaurismaki 's originality makes his man both extremely affecting and engaging .", "a magically dislocated world quite unlike any current filmmaker 's , one that provokes laughter , sadness and uplift all at once .", "this may not be kaurism\u00e4ki 's masterpiece , but it is a movie of sustained stylistic integrity -- and it has the power to make you laugh .", "provokes thought and provides joy in equal measure .", "that rare thing : a movie that makes you feel good by sharing some of your pain .", "it 's a movie that genuinely makes an audience happy -- kaurism\u00e4ki understands , and shows us , how a lost past can be redeemed by a hopeful future , and how an unknown place can become a home .", "the director has found a way to make an amusing fable about the costs and possibilities of freedom .", "this is the first amnesia movie in which we root for the hero not to get his memory back .", "too rich , too intelligent , too deep and too accessible to ignore .", "delightful and clever .", "-lsb- kaurismaki -rsb- trusts us to find the humor and the humanity that coexist in his world and in the process retains a purity of style and intent .", "it manages to build slowly into a whimsically charming story about finding love and making do with what life throws at you .", "for a world that 's increasingly globalized yet also increasingly fragmented , the MOV resonates deeply as a bittersweet fairy tale , resplendent with the hope of salvation .", "-lsb- kaurismaki 's -rsb- a humanist bearing witness to the human parade . to be part of that parade is to be touched by his perspective , and to have your world altered -- magically , fleetingly , memorably .", "leaves us to admire the technique and the music without giving us much more to care about .", "a delicious blend of hilarity and heartbreak .", "the film is sporadically hilarious in a chilly , unemphatic way . but for what may be the first time here , kaurismaki also seems to be genuinely enamored of every mushy , underlying sentiment he might once have held up to withering examination .", "droll , reticent , flawlessly filmed fable of generosity .", "the prolific kaurismaki 's sweetest slice-of-lifer yet .", "an engaging , absorbing , strangely illuminating experience .", "it 's wonderfully refreshing .", "this underclass fable is slight , finally , but its miserable/waggishly optimistic worldview leaves you feeling a little more alive .", "in vibrant color , accompanied by mutated finnish rockabilly and possessed by kaurismaki 's trademark bleak hilarity , it includes all the deadpan delivery , heavy drinking and bad luck of his earlier films .", "offers up a subversive comic sensibility , one that somehow combines buster keaton 's deadpan stare with frank capra 's tireless optimism and filters them both through a black-ice finnish point of view .", "moments which draw on innocent charm are prevalent .", "deliciously slow-paced film .", "this is a film that allows you to discover its intent , style and meaning while denying you anything that can be called immediate gratification .", "a deadpan delight ... a graceful , quietly humorous tribute to the sort of fringe-dwellers rarely seen in mainstream movies , let alone treated with such affection and respect .", "a full-bodied , melancholy-tinged ode to the resiliency of mankind .", "no , i refuse to label it a comedy . i refuse to classify it so easily . as far as i 'm concerned , this is a movie about humanity .", "while others labor in the digital vineyard , kaurismaki forges modern antiques out of unfashionable materials that , like a jukebox from a junkyard , are still in working order .", "wry , whimsical and sure of tone , dry in all of the right ways and without an ounce of condescension .", "less involving than it could be .", "kaurismaki does n't favor heavy strokes on his cinematic canvas , and there 's little else to the plot . but what 's there is plenty for this talented writer-director to explore .", "a gentle , surprising little movie whose rewards lie in what its characters do n't say as much as in what they do .", "this movie ... may matter to you more than you think .", "full of deadpan humor .", "with the most meager tools , kaurismaki has made us invest ourselves in someone else 's world .", "the characters are funny because they 're only human", "nearly from the start , there is the sense of rebirth and resurrection -lsb- in `` the MOV . ''", "a compassionate and darkly funny shaggy-dog story .", "a dour-faced but sublime comedy .", "you can feel tickled into a finnish shade of pink .", "if you can get used to the low-affect approach , you 'll likely be charmed by writer/director aki kaurism\u00e4ki 's gentle , affectionate portrayal .", "a sublime work , at once comic , melancholy , meditative , liberating and philosophical .", "without question , one of the finest films to be released this year ... consummate filmmaking", "the MOV earns amusing comic points without seeming to strain for them .", "a more sublime viewing experience you could scarcely hope for .", "though his engagement of silent idiom recalls chaplin , his leisurely pacing brings to mind jarmusch .", "a scruffy and endearing film about the adventures of an amnesiac on the fringes of society where he finds more kindness that he can handle .", "the cavalier attitude of the movie seems utterly unconcerned with whether or not the audience picks up on any of the jokes , all of which are delivered with an unaffected , deadpan style .", "to vindicate a much-maligned term , it 's a nice picture .", "one of the warmest and funniest films of the year .", "lo grandioso de el hombre sin pasado es que es una pel\u00edcula simple , sobre cosas simples , y sobre personas simples .", "a slow-paced film , it certainly has its rewards for the patient viewer , but it is not the kind of film to knock your socks off with its sparkling comedy .", "should please those who can live with the droll acting .", "a wistful , romantic concoction served straight-up , with no chaser to brace you against the strong kick of reality ... . unforgettable .", "what sets this film apart from other quirky adventures is its internal coherence -lrb- both in terms of storytelling and visual style -rrb- as well as the humanity of its characters .", "m 's past ... is almost an irrelevance , for kaurism\u00e4ki 's film is really concerned with the possibility of wiping the slate clean and replacing globalised , corporate living with the values of a utopian community of barter and free association .", "kaurismaki 's affection for and faith in people shines through even in the darkest moments", "with its rusty railroads and dingy metal canisters where the downtrodden dwell , -lsb- the movie -rsb- finds color , surprise , and joy in the simplicity of these struggling helsinki outcasts .", "... bleakness juxtaposed with bemusement ...", "peltola -lsb- gives -rsb- a deadpan performance that combines the comic gravity of buster keaton and the sweet sentiment of charlie chaplin .", "a totally strange , beguiling , sadly humorous and humorously sad little film that 's apt to linger in your memory far longer than many a more immediately impressive work .", "kaurismaki 's movies can tickle you with the briefest of statements , the smallest of gestures .", "as in the films of charlie chaplin , ` past ' presents the downcast and needy as human beings of worth , humor and dignity ...", "it 's an oblique film , so quiet that at times it seems barely more than a whisper . but do n't mistake that for fragility . it boasts a hard , clear voice .", "this may be the most accessible of kaurismaki 's films .", "like the better films of frank capra , this movie combines irony and a humanist outlook with substantial social criticism .", "a powerful film made with minimal means , it 's a story of poor people on the fringes of society , done without sentimentality or condescension but with wicked humor .", "at the end of the MOV , i felt a deep but indefinable contentment ." ], "summary": "kaurism\u05d4ki delivers another droll comedy full of his trademark humor .", "id": "11931" }, { "movie": "lincoln_lawyer", "reviews": [ "with at least three-too-many endings , paper-thin supporting characters , and predictable twists , the MOV does n't deliver as a thriller even if its title character is one of the most interesting of the year to date .", "after getting through its three different climaxes , each one more ridiculous than the last , the film supposedly settles into its moral statement about a man who learned his lesson and is now ready to do pro bono work for drug farmers .", "works a bit of humor into a crime story .", "... the film is mildly diverting , even if it 's a `` jagged edge '' -lrb- 1985 -rrb- wannabe and wears its manifold cliches on its sleeve .", "the next step in matthew mcconaughey 's inevitable march to network television is the MOV , a pilot disguised as a feature-length movie , with an entire season 's arc crammed into two hours .", "a slice of sub-grisham silliness that offers nothing that even the most casual consumers of legal thrillers have n't seen a dozen times before", "a solid , adult thriller . mcconaughey 's best role since a time to kill .", "this is rock-solid entertainment . mcconaughey , a cunning mesmerizer in the courtroom , steers this lincoln into what could be a hell-raising franchise .", "matthew mcconaughey , freed at last from several awful movies , seizes his chance impressively .", "a classy cast juice up this workmanlike but compelling courtroom saga , with matthew mcconaughey - so long starved of a decent lead - on fire .", "reminiscent of the legal thrillers of the 1980s and '90s , the MOV is a slickly made , well-acted and executed morality play . ... even when the movie devolves into formula in the latter half , it still keeps you grounded in its characters .", "it 's nothing revolutionary , but it 's so far ahead of most legal thrillers and mcconaughey vehicles that it might as well be .", "most fans of the novel would probably tell you mcconaughey is n't someone they had pictured in the lead role , but he works out just fine , his laid-back , breezy charisma exactly what mickey requires to do his job .", "-lsb- mcconaughey -rsb- makes the film move briskly and watchably ... with the same battered pretence at old world stylishness as his title-inspiring car .", "in `` the MOV , '' mcconaughey once again takes off his shirt , but only for a minute . i 'm happy to report that he spends most of his time acting , while clothed .", "return to old school court room who done it .", "a courtroom drama about a wheeler-dealer defense attorney caught in a tight squeeze that tests his ethical integrity .", "the MOV is an enjoyable piece of pop entertainment .", "solidly enjoyable , pleasingly old fashioned legal thriller that succeeds thanks to a satisfyingly twisty script , a terrific cast and a superb leading performance from matthew mcconaughey .", "-lsb- mcconaughey -rsb- still looks great arguing in a courtroom , still delivers his lines with a variable drawl implying barbecue for dinner .", "it jumps through the twists and turns of michael connelly 's story with grace and confidence , trusting that the audience is smart enough to follow .", "... the fun is watching mcconaughey slip the traps and outmaneuver the judge , the prosecution and his own client .", "for people just looking for a bit of entertainment , mcconaughey 's performance offers a fair amount and the plot is twisty enough to keep murder-mystery fans hooked . as long as you do n't think about it . at all .", "just when you thought matthew mcconaughey had settled into pre-retirement content to play the -lrb- dry-aged -rrb- beefcake in a string of dippy romantic comedies , the actor comes roaring back with some real acting .", "briskly paced , nicely noirish and populated by many actors you trust , the MOV is a solid crime drama worth seeing .", "that the premise of the film does n't make a ton of sense should n't dissuade you if you 're in the mood for a little escape .", "the MOV is not a feat of genre-breaking design . but it is a well-oiled machine .", "the ride can be a bit bumpy , but the MOV gets you where you 're going .", "legal thriller entertains but is too dark , heavy for kids .", "it would be more fun if the hero were a little more colorful . all matthew mcconaughey 's haller has to his character is his cockiness , and that gets a bit tiresome .", "-lsb- video -rsb- michael connelly 's spin-off mystery book series provides the basis for a sturdy but rushed legal thriller .", "matthew mcconaughey carries the MOV with sheer credible willpower and personality . mcconaughey has to survive fitful direction and a choppy script , but he emerges with his likeable faculties intact .", "as devoid of spontaneity as a d.a. 's defense strategy , this adaptation of fiction machine michael connelly 's 2005 legal thriller is both convoluted and completely predictable .", "a shrewd legal thriller that is as much detective story as courtroom spellbinder ... a movie that stays one step ahead of the viewer - and pays off in the end .", "a do n't - miss cinematic page-turner with enough twists to fill five movies .", "a modest , mid-range legal thriller , in which every element , including mcconaughey 's physical presence and acting , are put in service of the rather engaging plot .", "... a pretty decent entertainment , although it does have a pretty challenging time covering up the fact that the genre has n't got a whole lot of new tricks in its bag .", "it 's not ambitious , but this sleek , commercial legal thriller is much more engaging than i expected it to be . mcconaughey adds his extra dash of roguish charm .", "a solidly impressive thriller with newcomer brad furman directing with flair , keeping the momentum up as mick realises he 's dealing with a master manipulator .", "mcconaughey must still think he 's starring in television commercials , his original forte .", "a fast-paced intelligent legal thriller .", "it moves as a nice pace , is a smooth ride and does n't require too much energy .", "a much better version of this movie may exist somewhere in the editing-room blender , to be excavated by cine-archeologists of the future .", "the MOV has one of the best ensembles of the year . we get a great performance by matthew mcconaughey and a truly exciting story .", "matthew mcconaughey is the only actor in hollywood who can swagger while sitting down . this is one role where that works , to perfection .", "the whole falls short of the sum of impressive parts .", "... a perfectly serviceable legal thriller that passes the time and gets the job done ...", "crackles with crisp dialogue , a juicy plot punctuated with titillating twists and turns , and a strong cast of familiar faces .", "... one of mcconaughey 's strongest performances .", "-lsb- it 's -rsb- packed with great performances , intrigue , and gasp-worthy moments .", "maybe this flick could actually spawn a movie franchise . at the very least , it could work on tv . the gimmickry is in place , reminiscent of ` burke 's law ' and the chauffeur driven rolls .", "there 's a reason potboiler paperbacks do n't make good movies -- there 's too much outlandish plot , even for hollywood .", "mcconaughey gives a good performance , but the film , while entertaining , falls short of connelly 's 2005 book .", "there 's nothing that gets you more juiced than a good story well told , with strong characters well acted , and that 's what the MOV offers up .", "as nondescript as its title , brad furman 's slick legal mystery , adapted from a michael connelly novel , plays like an above-average tv pilot until it gets greedy and runs 20 minutes too long .", "mcconaughey 's confidence fits like a glove -- it 's the role he 's been waiting for , and coupled against philippe 's easy-to-hate playboy and a great supporting cast , the film turns out to be one of this season 's better movies .", "a first-rate legal thriller for its first two thirds , before going off the rails at the end .", "welcome back , matthew mcconaughey", "there is never a dull moment during the two-hour running time . the best compliment has to be that the film comes close to mirroring the page-turning suspense of the source material . if you need a break from ...", "occasionally approaches the gritty , profane , and darkly wise legal thriller that it wants to be , but never quite knows how to get there", "the film devolves into the cozily predictable world of tv legal dramas , abandoning the moral uncertainty of its opening scenes ...", "`` MOV '' is a no-frills legal drama delivered by a team of pros , and it 's nice to see mcconaughey bring his a game for a change .", "lincoln is smart , juicy entertainment , but it 's the kind of straight-up legal drama that hinges entirely on crafty storytelling and across-the-board solid performances .", "criminal-defense attorneys are often viewed with disdain , and while director brad furman 's adaptation of michael connelly 's 2005 novel wo n't do much to change this , it does allow matthew mcconaughey to give his best performance in years .", "`` the MOV '' moves through its paces as smoothly as mickey strolls through a courtroom .", "charismatic and oozing oily self-confidence , the character mick haller dovetails perfectly with mcconaughey 's skill set and dazzling grin . after a string of desultory romantic comedies , this actor once again has a winner .", "it 's a world of cynical lawyers cutting deals , careworn cops and cons brooding over sinister secrets . how about letting director brad furman adapt something by carl hiaasen or elmore leonard ?", "brad furman 's movie is shamelessly entertaining and the best thing in it is mcconaughey 's mickey haller , known as `` the MOV '' because his office is his town car .", "the script is legal boilerplate bolted to mundane characters , the acting is baked-ham buffet , and the direction is basic cable mediocrity incarnate . it 's the most unrewarding two hours you could spend in a theater , short of a total power outage .", "while it does n't match ` primal fear ' for spellbinding misdirection , it 's certainly a skillfully-made if lightweight legal puzzler .", "who knew cheesy one-liners and pro-bono work could simultaneously represent the worst impulses hollywood has to offer .", "a complex , entertaining story about a cynical lawyer and a rich client .", "mcconaughey gets a pitch down the middle and he does n't miss . he hits it out of the park .", "the MOV sees matthew mcconaughey rise from the embers of hollywood mediocrity like a phoenix , soaring like he has n't in years .", "my only real complaint with this movie was the little-utilized chemistry between macy and mcconaughey . they are smokin ' when they are on screen together -- i wish we had been given more of them .", "the plot takes mcconaughey beyond superficial traits to a place he rarely visits in film -- a drastic change in demeanor . he has to show a wide range of emotions to be effective , and he does it with panache .", "-lsb- not -rsb- the cartoon its star would appear to promise , and that 's mostly down to mcconaughey bypassing his usual method and not gadding about onscreen like he 's just rolled out of a really good three-day bong-and-beer party ...", "it 's a slick , cleverly plotted thriller with plenty of twists , smart hard-boiled dialogue and fine supporting performances ...", "haller 's a twerp , he 's a twonk , he 's a slick-haired smoothie who plays by the `` does n't play by the rules '' rules to the letter .", "this is a grand vehicle for mcconaughey .", "there 's a solid supporting cast , including a long-haired william h macy and a shamefully underused marisa tomei as haller 's ex-wife , while mcconaughey more than holds his own in the lead .", "enjoyably twisty but too shallow to be fully satisfying .", "matthew mcconaughey should always play lawyers . there 's something smirky , cocky and untrustworthy about his demeanor -- he slides through every movie like a greased weasel , but in the MOV , it works .", "blessed with a character who loves to showboat , mcconaughey is a pleasure to behold -- not since the actor was battling dragons in reign of fire has he been so much fun to watch .", "admit it , when you hear the phrase `` a matthew mcconaughey movie , '' your expectations slip into the basement , yes ? yes . on that score , this adaptation of a best-selling michael connelly crime thriller is an improvement .", "matthew mcconaughey returns to form in this well-executed but all-too-familiar legal thriller .", "matthew mcconaughey does a fine job in legal thriller the MOV - an overall solid and entertaining film .", "surprisingly corny for a story that spends so much time dealing with prison and rape .", "i imagined the worst . what i saw was a completely different matthew mcconaughey - gaunt , mature , compelling - in an enthralling , gritty crime drama from an utterly fresh new talent : young director brad furman .", "gets greedy , attempting to provide more than what the audience ultimately needs . it 's one thing to supply all the answers , it 's another to force-feed them to viewers , taking the mystery out of a serviceable whodunit .", "this is a tightly-written thriller that at the same time creates a tricky legal puzzle .", "the MOV has very little soul to speak of , but it 's got swagger to burn .", "... a movie as smooth and slick as its protagonist ...", "crackerjack plotting and characterization -lrb- credit the source novel by michael connelly -rrb- compensate for tired , even annoying visuals -lrb- blame the add camerawork and oversaturated color scheme on director brad furman -rrb- in this entertaining legal thriller ...", "it has nothing to do with the capital of nebraska or the former president . while you 're watching it , though , you 'll wish it did .", "this just looks like a cop show .", "typically , the MOV uses black pop culture to bring urban consciousness and street cunning to a hollywood film 's slick surface .", "the MOV is something we have n't seen in ages , a cracking good courtroom drama that is filled with ingenious twists and compelling characters .", "the best role mcconaughey has had in years and he does it proud . this might just lead to a mickey haller franchise .", "mcconaughey , an actor much given to showing off is well-defined abs , here refrains from that in favor of showing off a superb performance of considerable depth that is both understated and effective", "`` the MOV '' is workmanlike , engagingly acted and entertaining .", "it marches at an efficient pace , but there 's too much collateral damage to believability .", "mcconaughey 's smoothness works pretty well here , conveying a sense that haller can wriggle out of tight legal squeezes that would defeat a more scrupulous man .", "the spotlight is firmly on mcconaughey , but he earns all the attention .", "one of the year 's most delightful hollywood surprises .", "mcconaughey is well cast as mickey . he has the surface , slightly seedy charm of a trial lawyer .", "even though it does n't break any new ground , the MOV is an intelligent mystery .", "fellow jurors , let 's remember the MOV at its best and deliver a generous verdict -- an innocent entertainment , with extenuating circumstances .", "resembles a mundane two-hour episode of `` law & order : los angeles . ''", "by the time the climactic courtroom scene ... arrives , much has happened to little effect .", "MOV presents a solid case .", "a cheesy , hard-boiled police procedural , tracing its antecedents back to raymond chandler .", "the MOV mines most of its success from a talented stable of actors , especially that of lead matthew mcconaughey .", "it 's really just a solid courtroom drama , but these days moviegoers should take what they can get .", "the MOV is a solid - albeit unremarkable - entry into a genre that has provided us with far worse . as a matt mcconaughey movie , well , it 's one of the best .", "the plot details are ingeniously handled and structured , the rhythm of the film is just right and the tone is pitch perfect", "not since john grisham 's the firm has there been such a stylish lawyer tale as this", "brings together the numerous narrative and thematic threads that make such stories , even when being told for the umpteen-millionth time , really work", "all of those who count ` a time to kill ' among your favorite courtroom dramas , raise a hand . now use that hand to grab some money and run out to see ` the MOV , ' another riveting legal thriller starring matthew mcconaughey .", "fans of well-regarded gavel-pounders like jagged edge and primal fear will enjoy this one as well .", "do you believe in the resurrection ? well you should . matthew mcconaughey is back from the dead .", "what happened - did matthew mcconaughey roll out of bed one morning and decide that , after smiling through one too many schlocky movies , playing the pretty boy opposite sandra-kate-jennifer , he wanted to do something decent ?", "a solid l.a. crime story that once again proves mcconaughey as a leading actor to be reckoned with .", "... a well plotted legal thriller with a low-down r&b style .", "a return to form for matthew mcconaughey .", "if you long for the days of legal eagle thrillers such as jagged edge or basic instinct then the MOV is for you .", "mcconaughey is the definition of a movie star here , sitting back and allowing his charm to imbue the entire film .", "while furman shows a mostly steady hand with his actors , the narrative flow trips things up considerably . connelly 's book turns out to be too much for screenwriter john romano to handle .", "this screen adaptation of michael connelly 's clever legal thriller is stylish , suspenseful and thoroughly entertaining .", "this pungent neo-noir can be sleazy and over-familiar , but like the protagonist , it 's so smart and crafty that you may forgive its flaws .", "while it sticks to the courtroom thriller formula , this is an entertaining ride thanks to a terrific screenplay and matthew mcconaughey 's magnetic lead performance .", "some fussy directorial touches do n't seriously get in the way of a tricky plot with a suspenseful denouement and there 's an excellent use of locations in the los angeles area .", "the MOV is a smooth thriller that offers decent twists and intriguing subplots .", "this slick but uncharismatic cat-and-mouse game between maverick lawyer and rich client , is courtroom drama far too fascinated by its own sense of cool to be anything more than easy on the mind television", "the film does take some predictable turns - even with its `` surprise '' twist - but it 's a perfectly enjoyable time killer .", "though the MOV occasionally plays like a cracking tv pilot that has somehow lucked into becoming a movie , mcconaughey 's emphatic connection to his role allows the production to continually defy most -lrb- admittedly low -rrb- expectations .", "it 's nice to see mcconaughey getting relatively serious instead of coasting through yet another witless romcom , with or without kate hudson .", "the MOV is a well-crafted , well-cast adaptation of michael connelly 's best-selling novel , shot on interesting los angeles locations . it 's a crime thriller with ...", "matthew mcconaughey keeps his shirt on and leads an excellent ensemble cast through legal murky waters in the court room thriller the MOV .", "about as good a case as hollywood can put together for a stay of execution for the big-screen legal drama .", "a good-old-fashioned courtroom thriller , the MOV offers modest but sturdy pleasures , chief among them a strong cast and a page-turner of a story .", "stylishly sexing up the criminal justice system and then some , the MOV mixes nasty sleaze and sassy attitude with serious , provocative political moves . and burrows into the seedier side of the la legal system with candidly brutal finesse .", "a perfectly average legal drama . i trust that the book is exactly like this , totally programmed to hit standard beats in the plot . it 'll serve its purpose in theaters just like a paperback novel does .", "a moderately entertaining crime drama from people who know their way around a bloody knife or suspicious evidence .", "the MOV is a quintessential airport-novel kind of movie , possessing no great qualities or ambitions .", "that this mystery-thriller does n't add up feels more than a little contrived says something about compromises made to keep the filmgoer from recoiling from the heel hero .", "well-written , appropriately sour modern crime story .", "sprinkled with just enough humor to keep from getting too self-serious , it 's briskly paced and gives mcconaughey 's fans something to brag about ... again .", "emerges as a cool , slick and entertaining courtroom drama with enough punch to hold its own in an overcrowded genre .", "full review at movies for the masses", "it feels like the best work -lsb- mcconaughey has -rsb- done in years and if there 's a sequel i wo n't mind one bit .", "while not as significant as the oscar nominated `` michael clayton , '' `` lincoln '' is an efficient and entertaining legal thriller .", "a delicious but not too-smooth take on la noir . tight shots keep us close to the ratcheting action , and there are just the right bits of grit , and the right pace to the twists , to make the MOV a steadily seat-gripping cinematic cruise .", "in a nice twist , the central mystery of the plot is solved about halfway through the movie and it then becomes about some clever legal maneuvering on mick 's part .", "a solid thriller with mcconaughey doing what he does best .", "like its hero , this is a slick and polished piece of work .", "the MOV is the cinematic equivalent of a decent airplane read -- an easily digested page-turner that keeps you occupied but does n't demand much .", "a fiendishly twisty crime-thriller ...", "even those who do n't normally dig matthew mcconaughey should give this a go as he leaves his annoying manchild rom-com persona behind in service of a noirish thriller .", "fingers crossed that this turns into a franchise , as mick haller is such a charismatic and intriguing character with many layers still to be peeled .", "it 's no surprise michael connelly 's devilishly clever 2005 novel makes for a devilishly clever film , full of unpredictable twists and turns , and some memorable one-liners .", "calling big-screen legal thriller `` the MOV '' the best tv pilot i 've seen in a while really is n't meant as a putdown -- the truth is , there 's more good stuff on the tube these days than in theaters , especially at this time of the year .", "an amazing cast , some fun mystery , twists and turns that will entertain you and matthew mcconaughey reminding the audience why they like and root for him .", "mcconaughey has struggled to launch any plausible franchises in the past decade - sahara did n't work . we could do a lot worse than see him in more films like this .", "`` the MOV '' just may have the makings of a terrific franchise , if only because it finds mcconaughey so clearly in his comfort zone after a string of forgettable romantic comedies and action pictures ." ], "summary": "it does n't offer any twists on the predictable courtroom thriller formula , but with a charming matthew mcconaughey leading its solid cast , the MOV offers briskly enjoyable entertainment .", "id": "771021934" }, { "movie": "vacancy", "reviews": [ "trite and opportunistic in its feints at intellectual weight ... best , in fact , to mine from the crumbly ore of MOV a drinking game plated in gold .", "every cheap trick in the slasher-flick book is crammed into the movie 's measly 80 minutes , and pretty much bungled .", "kit out the bates motel with surveillance cameras , replace anthony perkins with the ineffectual frank whaley , and you 'd have the location for this irritatingly cheapjack snuff-horror thriller , starring luke wilson and kate beckinsale as a depressed couple", "while initially resembling the `` victim porn '' of hostel , MOV into a nice , well-done psycho riff .", "my expectations were met early on , but fell flat in the end .", "a paint-by-numbers affair that is not only tired , but looks as if it was written by a computer program .", "watered down studio schlock .", "the movie is 80 minutes of mostly entertaining tension , punctuated by violence engineered by a creep using criminally outdated technology .", "replicates the horror movie experience by placing its leads in a dark , boxlike room where they are menaced by loud surprise noises and scary images on a screen ...", "starts well but never goes anywhere with its grisly set-up .", "it 's not pretty , but it 's certainly vacant .", "this stripped-down chiller has some decent jump-frights , but a dearth of memorable moments .", "check in to `` MOV '' if you want to see the acting chops on `` the other wilson . ''", "MOV enjoys a cracking pace , all thrills and no frills , leaving viewers barely enough time to catch their breath let alone to dwell on the odd hole in the plot .", "a nastily effective , rough-edged gem of a horror-thriller .", "what starts out as a slick but generic urban legend meets slasher film turns into a surprisingly enjoyable thriller", "though MOV plays as gruesome horror in its own right , it 's also director nimrod antal 's criticism of how suffering has become the selling point in recent horror films .", "the best that can be said is that it is what it is , and is competent at being that .", "i know , you could n't make it up . but someone did .", "an effective assembly of familiar chills diminished by its unfortunate mainstream feints .", "terrific turns by all make this a tense , if slightly predictable , treat for terror fans .", "with shades of psycho and the birds , MOV sure is n't up there with the master 's finest work but , given that we have n't had a decent horror all year , it 's a pleasantly creepy surprise .", "nothing in MOV manages to come anywhere close to the quiet and steadily mounting dread of the real thing , much less the purview of norman bates or his beloved mother .", "well , however much i wanted to love it , the same old sorts of things happen , and the rigorous plausibility and consistency on which everything depends are thrown away .", "MOV is an enjoyable , pleasingly old-fashioned thriller with strong performances and some expertly handled suspense sequences . recommended .", "this more than slightly familiar scenario does n't give the principals much scope for acting .", "MOV 's an audience divider - a predictable yet occasionally classy film . depending on your mood it 's an efficient exercise in popcorn frights , or a cynical b-movie ...", "director nimrod antal settles for a more generic horror-ride as the imperatives of stalk-and-escape take hold . for a while , though , this is first-rate second-hand material .", "snuffed .", "it 's only in the last act that things begin to get a bit flaky but up till then MOV does what it sets out to do without any pretenses .", "MOV may not be the most wholly original thriller but it has some heart to it and is directed with gritty , old school style by nimr\u00f3d antal . coupled with the good work done by the leads , MOV is worth checking into .", "MOV is a fun and violent ride , in the best possible guilty-pleasure sense of course , that suffers from only minor flaws . if only it ended 4 minutes sooner ...", "-lsb- director nimrod -rsb- antal does such a good job that you almost overlook the absurdities built into the screenplay .", "MOV is a no-nonsense , no ambition thriller , but sometimes that 's more than enough to please .", "once the fight-for-their-lives plot kicks in , unfortunately named director nimr\u00f3d antal keeps the action intense and well paced .", "an unpleasant and hardly entertaining creepy horror road movie that comes up as vacant as an empty room .", "un pasatiempo eficaz que recupera parte del esp\u00edritu de la clase b al servicio de un relato tenso y por momentos perturbador , sin mayores pretensiones .", "MOV is n't a commentary , just another graphically violent horror movie , traveling a well-worn path -- urbanites wandering into the countryside and being accosted by rural weirdos .", "very creepy .", "all things considered , not half bad . indeed , it 's much less than half bad ." ], "summary": "MOV 's restraint with gore is commendable , the thin characters and b-movie cliches less so .", "id": "594324614" }, { "movie": "tabloid_2010", "reviews": [ "with its cutesy cut-out graphics and mock-emphatic headlines , MOV sends up the hysteria of supermarket-rag coverage , but that 's also the fuel that keeps it running .", "the viewer is left with no clear indication of what really happened , but with a vibrant portrait of a compelling character . that 's what morris is after .", "morris 's subject is sexual fantasy and a particular kind of american stupidity-the ability to substitute self-justification for self-knowledge . his tone is merry .", "it is quite simply one of the craziest stories ever told , made all the crazier by the fact that it 's true . or at least some version of it is true .", "william carlos williams wrote `` the pure products of america / go crazy , '' and the funny , freaky MOV captures that contrast , that promise , that curse .", "MOV , errol morris ' latest wild and woolly portrait of human self-delusion , is a scandal-sheet dream come to life .", "the movie is guilty of condescending toward its subjects , though most of them appear to be having a fabulous time telling tales .", "does n't tell us anything about sleazy journalism or the insatiable thirst for gossip that we did n't already know . far-fetched and overblown just about sums it up .", "a tale of obsession and abduction , self-delusion and sexual confusion , errol morris ' MOV stands as an almost giddy affirmation of the old cliche : truth is stranger than fiction .", "`` MOV '' is the hilariously strange-but-true documentary of joyce mckinney , a media-savvy nutcase decades ahead of her time , thank the lord .", "it 's an amusing 90 minutes even if the subject does n't really merit this level of attention , and if you enjoy laughing at people who ca n't seem to help themselves you 'll have a great time .", "i have some misgivings about morris ' playful approach to a woman who seems to be ill , but the film is beautifully made and the story is a knockout .", "morris realizes he has a genuine character in mckinney , and gives her the spotlight .", "morris is clearly fascinated by her mega eccentricities and lets her go on at great length telling her side of the story .", "morris adds to the hilarity with his signature device of superimposing key words onscreen in giant type ; the movie is a welcome reminder that he got his start immortalizing american oddballs .", "a thought-provoking picture raising the question : can a woman rape a man , or is it merely assault with intent to please ? you be the judge .", "a wonderfully crafted and incredibly entertaining nonfiction film with all the wily narrative surprise of a tawdry b-movie run amok .", "mckinney , a born performer , is in her glory as she spins her version of the affair .", "MOV spins a heck of a yarn , while implicitly warning viewers not to be so entertained that they believe every gamy detail .", "although he has tackled many serious subjects -lrb- and finally won an oscar for the fog of war , his gut-wrenching portrait of former secretary of defense robert s. mcnamara -rrb- , filmmaker errol morris has always had a fondness for life 's oddballs ...", "first-tier documentarian errol morris finds himself slumming a bit with MOV .", "mckinney may well be a madwoman , but morris connects so deeply to her obsessions that the film 's tone never seems exploitative or mocking .", "MOV is nothing more than a lark , the equivalent of glancing at the goofy headlines in the checkout line and then forgetting all about them .", "morris clearly invested so much time and energy in mckinney 's story because he saw her as emblematic of our crazed times . others might wonder whether the sad saga deserves quite this much attention , but there 's no denying the film 's morbid fascination .", "it 's all very amusing , but maybe the film 's keenest insight into MOV journalism is morris 's own exploitation of the pitiful , perhaps delusional mckinney .", "morris is a storyteller of the highest order , and within seconds , he draws us into his subject , doling out details , making us wonder what will happen next and dropping bombs for maximum impact .", "... while `` MOV '' is undeniably entertaining , hilarious at times , it is also a little troubling ...", "another of morris ' alternately hilarious and disturbing inquiries into the slippery nature of truth .", "a provocative , captivating and surprisingly funny documentary . joyce mckinney deserves to be nominated for best actress of the year .", "`` MOV '' shows that an oddball lead character and a smirky style do not necessarily add up to a complete movie .", "like a sensationalistic flavor-of-the-month crime or hollywood scandal , the film is sure to capture the viewer 's attention while it plays out , but is just as destined to lose its luster the second the saga in question has run its course .", "for fans of morris 's work , which often grapples with the nature of truth and memory , it 's a must-see film .", "it 's all compelling , in the way reading trashy gossip usually is . but without any new perspectives , what 's the point ?", "` MOV ' never rises above -- in fact , it becomes -- the absurdity it depicts .", "errol morris 's documentary was made , and scheduled for release , long before the news of the world story broke . the smart part is that the film dissects those excesses deftly with a quasitabloid style of its own .", "what is real and what is fiction , in this reality show that preceded all others by over 20 years , is a matter of conjecture .", "the sheer heterogeneity of human experience is one of -lsb- morris ' -rsb- enduring preoccupations , and he has found , once again , an impossible and perfect embodiment of just how curious our species can be .", "compared with morris ' best and most provocative documentaries , like the fog of war , MOV is just a trifle . it 's a silly little thing that goes down easy and is forgotten almost instantly .", "while it makes for a compelling tale , the only thing that separates this from a segment on inside edition is morris ' whiz-bang skill as a documentarian .", "errol morris 's most intimate work since fast , cheap , and out of control", "it 's a guaranteed good time at the movies , but i can think of at least three other morris films that have stuck with me longer .", "morris ' most flat-out enjoyable picture", "morris is such a savvy , irony-tinged master of the essayist documentary form , mckinney 's own perspective becomes a tabla rasa for all sorts of sexual , voyeuristic and media desires .", "a wild and weird errol morris documentary about the stories we tell ourselves to cope with life 's disappointments .", "the enjoyably wacky scenario of errol morris 's `` MOV '' is cookie-cutter material for the documentarian , but morris wields his cookie cutter like a pro .", "hugely enjoyable , frequently funny and luridly fascinating documentary that 's utterly riveting from beginning to end .", "a compelling story told with morris 's usual flair .", "morris gets to have his cake and eat it .", "operates as both an examination of the dominating media mentality at the time and an embodiment of it , no less keen on delving into the juicy details now as MOV rags were then .", "mesmerizing ... in joyce mckinney , morris has found a fittingly weird and funny muse", "MOV is totally fascinating . it features brilliant editing and pacing along with well thought out concepts that are expertly executed . a must see !", "mckinney is no robert mcnamara , but there are lessons to be learned from this fog of sleaze .", "a vivid picture of the way we lived then .", "morris suggests that you can sometimes find profundity in triviality - and though joyce condemns herself out of her own mouth , it is always possible to feel sorry for a woman whose obsession has so totally ruled her life .", "it 's a bizarre `` where are they now ? '' story of a rather unedifying kind , and one feels ashamed of laughing at this sad exhibitionist .", "-lsb- morris -rsb- tells us nothing about the prurience and gutter morality of the MOV newspaper industry that britons have n't heard every day and that the world , in the murdochgate era , is now hearing likewise .", "morris 's doc is less about what really happened than exploring the lifespan of one of those stories that kept on giving .", "a lark , maybe , but a truly disturbing work .", "errol morris ' MOV is bonkers in all the best possible ways -- a welcome return to perverse portraiture after a lengthy sojourn in the realm of more serious-minded subjects .", "MOV stories may be a dime a dozen , but documentaries as amusing and entertaining as MOV are n't so easy to find .", "documentary maverick errol morris stays quirky and goes trashy ... style here surpasses content , but there 's entertainment aplenty to bring audiences to the table .", "evading the issue of what used to be called `` yellow journalism , '' morris ' depraved method prevents us from ever getting out of this swamp .", "errol morris is one of the true masters of the documentary form .", "a weird , somewhat funny , considerably disturbing exploration of an unreliable narrator and a hungry media that eventually turns a convicted criminal into a celebrity .", "morris ' spirited pacing and the jaunty score from john kusiak help maintain a tone that 's part mocking , part suspenseful .", "MOV becomes an elaborate game of he-said-she-said that winks at the viewer with enough self-consciousness to share the joke .", "as with any of morris ' documentaries , MOV is thematically rich beyond the bounds of its central focus .", "complex , intriguing and always entertaining", "... a film with meager production values about an odd woman and what she did to inspire the british tabloids ... not for everybody , but for some it might have a morbid fascination .", "morris traces this perfect MOV tale in all its hilarious , sad and bizarre particulars ... while suggesting that the truth is both hostage to media interests and hidden in a fog of love .", "... fairly lightweight . but it 's nevertheless one of the most entertaining movies that will hit theaters this year .", "mckinney is mesmerizing : the vain , expressive , motormouthed star of an elaborately structured drama of self that qualifies as one of the more astonishing first-person cinematic tours de force since ` eddie murphy raw . '", "MOV is such a mirthful , fascinating and fantastically entertaining documentary that you ca n't help but get caught up in all the sordid fun", "at 88 minutes , MOV is short and sweet -lrb- it 's pure movie candy -rrb- , but by the end we 've forged an emotional connection to joyce mckinney at the deep core of her unapologetic fearless/nutty valor .", "a bizarre coda turns what begins as a playful expos\u00e9 of the british media 's sensationalist excesses into a surreal voyage into a warped mind no reporter could invent .", "this is a lighter , less significant work than his ` standard operating procedure ' or ` the fog of war ' , but it 's engrossing and pleasingly slippery with the facts .", "a truly bizarre tale , MOV is enjoyable but not as compelling as some of morris ' previous documentaries ...", "compelling , weird and queasy documentary on the eccentric joyce mckinney and her stranger-than-fiction story .", "a hilariously bonkers saga ... a story whose twists are unthinkable .", "expertly guided by errol morris , and featuring a wholly compelling subject , this is a fascinating exploration of truth and memory .", "a lot of fun ; morris himself is clearly unconvinced about joyce -- and no wonder -- but she 's a funny woman and hers is a ripping yarn if ever there was one .", "as is often the case with morris , we can never be sure what he thinks , only that he wants to baffle us with the impenetrable strangeness of reality .", "when man bites dog or woman rapes man , that 's news : and errol morris knows how to put the latter across .", "the truth is an ever elusive concept , especially in the films of errol morris .", "morris ' choice of title may be ripe with ironic intent , but the film is what it is : an arrogant , obscene , inexcusable example of MOV exploitation .", "MOV is candy for voyeurs . we laugh like mad at a nut whose only mistake was being born in the last century , too early to have made real money .", "gotcha sleaze , bondage , lapsed libido and sacred mormon underwear . and no different from trotting out the disfigured for amusement , at circuses of thankfully bygone days . more to the point , what in the world happened to errol morris ? MOV , indeed .", "morris ' lightest , most amusing film since 1997 's fast , cheap & out of control .", "a far more light-hearted approach than some of morris ' other recent work but just as layered and thorough in terms of getting to the heart of a story and leaving you thinking afterwards .", "absurd as it sounds , joyce 's conviction is not only convincing but contagious . so , too , is her elastic sense of reality-a 90-minute immersion in her world is enough to make you question your own .", "... the canny methods -lsb- errol morris -rsb- uses to get deep inside his subjects are , as usual , utterly riveting .", "sadly , this is a master going through the basest of motions .", "MOV is a documentary that proves conclusively that the truth really is stranger than fiction .", "any film that elicits wide-eyed comments like , `` what a story ! '' afterward is inherently successful .", "errol morris hits the doco jackpot with a story that is both resoundingly human and resoundingly ironic about an ex beauty queen with a shady past who falls in love with kirk anderson , a young man whose strict religion forbids sex", "a scandal involving a beauty queen , sex-in-chains , a religious cult , kidnapping and the tabloids are the ingredients of this bizarre true story that gets more fantastic as it goes along", "you may see -- and perhaps already have seen -- better documentaries this year than errol morris ' MOV , but i doubt you 'll see a more entertaining one .", "MOV is a nice commentary on -lsb- errol morris ' -rsb- particular style of ` truth-telling ' and objectivity . in the end , we 're all lying simply by telling our version of the truth .", "on first look , errol morris ' documentary appears to tell mckinney 's story , drawing from the story reported by british tabloids in 1977 . but it 's also about truth and storytelling more broadly , the ways stories escape their tellers .", "if `` MOV '' feels like a minor morris work compared to `` the fog of war '' or `` mr. death , '' it is still entertaining , with a sly sense of humor and an empathetic eye for the bizarre that harkens back to earlier movies like `` gates of heaven . ''", "errol morris is a genius , a gifted documentarian who has made better movies than `` MOV , '' but none so entertaining .", "morris has found a real character in mckinney , but to what end , i could n't say .", "errol morris succeeds against all odds in besting his previous olympians of quirkiness .", "the film around -lsb- joyce -rsb- mckinney is n't quite sure of what it 's about , at times ... but mckinney herself is the sort of arresting figure that you do n't shake easily .", "in addition to his admirable qualities , morris also seems to find his subject to be hilarious . and she is .", "fascinating , whimsically humorous and poignant , all at once .", "a magnificently unsettling and funny-sad portrait of the arguably sick relationships that are forged between celebrities , the media , and their audiences", "though the events MOV recounts took place in the pre-digital age , the film also functions as a kind of prehistory of modern celebrity culture and MOV journalism .", "it 's a titillating yarn told with verve , but it does n't shed much light on how tabloids create and encourage such stories , nor does it , finally , tell us much about human nature -- other than , perhaps , to illustrate an extreme case of it .", "`` MOV '' is tantalizing , but like yesterday 's headlines , it 's a fleeting flirtation .", "morris compellingly unfolds the story and clearly means for us to see our own untoward qualities writ large in joyce and the circus surrounding her .", "the celebrated filmmaker has created a meta-tabloid of sorts , surrendering to the idea that the truth is absurdly unknowable ." ], "summary": "it 's far from his most thought-provoking work , but MOV finds errol morris as smart , spirited , and engaging as ever .", "id": "771208471" }, { "movie": "frank_2014", "reviews": [ "there 's a giddy pleasure in seeing so much conceit and treacle-eyed greed ritually sacrificed at the butt end of genius . it 's a welcome whiff of frankness in a largely frank-less world .", "bat-dung crazy , in a good way , lenny abrahamson 's MOV is the story of a pop star who really lets his art go to his head .", "always interesting , largely thanks to an entirely committed cast and a writer willing to play with themes like a band improvising until it finds the right tune .", "a funny , goofy movie with some serious things to say about art and madness , band dynamics , broken dreams and selling out .", "less quirky than deadpan and absurdist , even darker than it initially lets on .", "even if MOV is a little too smitten with its own quirkiness , the film 's examination of what matters in music - fame , money , sanity ? - works as a kind of behind the music peek at a band 's struggle for identity and devotees .", "it 's not going anywhere terribly important and is in no hurry to get there , but `` MOV '' is an accumulation of memorably offbeat moments , like an album made up of b sides and lost demo tracks that you stumble across and ca n't stop replaying .", "that fassbender plays the role of the disguised rocker fits well with the movie 's tone : putting one of the biggest actors in hollywood behind a mask lends a further rebellious streak to an already sardonic film .", "it 's the songs that are the film 's biggest surprise . abrahamson and his musical cast have made MOV 's unpronounceable group soronprfbs sound like a real band .", "MOV is probably the best film about what it feels like to be in a band since slade 's flame -lrb- no , honestly -rrb- .", "it 's not the sort of festival favorite that will change an industry , make hundreds of millions or earn oscars . what it will do is charm viewers who appreciate rough gems .", "what chutzpah it takes to hire one of the world 's most recognizable movie stars and then render him completely unrecognizable .", "abrahamson is a filmmaker with a nuanced sense of tone , and he handles the shift from surreal comedy to something deeper and more complex with a typically deft touch .", "it 's a punchy , eccentric , zestily confident fable about the dividing line between having talent and having it not .", "by surreal indirection , it gets closer to the dreams and dynamism of rock wannabes than many a film with a more frontal , frowning brief .", "MOV works as satire , as memoir , as comedy bromance , but it works mostly because it is just so weird : an anti-dumas fable about a man who never removes a fake head .", "the movie has no clear through-line and an ambling nature that inspires more impatience than whimsy . but fassbender is so good the whole thing still pays off .", "it 's a music movie and a depression movie , and a standout performance by michael fassbender even though he 's wearing a silly paper mache thing on his head", "pleasingly and perhaps surprisingly , given the extremities of the material , the cast plays crazy with cool , measured aplomb .", "it 's heavier than a comedy about a gibberish-spewing guy in a giant head ought to be , but that 's what makes it a thing of heartbreaking , oddball beauty .", "oddballs , this is the oddball movie of the year .", "fassbender was courageous to take on the role , and it may well come to be looked back on as among his greatest performances .", "if you only see one movie this year that features an avant-garde band led by a man in a fiberglass head , please make it this one .", "even disguised , fassbender is amazing , often revealing MOV 's emotional extremes through body language alone . it 's really something . and the music is awfully catchy .", "fassbender , his beautiful face hidden from view , gives a nuanced performance , relying on voice and body movement to convey MOV 's mercurial moods .", "MOV could never carry the this risky movie were he not embodied by a superb actor .", "a likely future cult-favorite . fassbender gives the best performance ever given by an actor in a papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 head mask .", "the most unlikely music biopic you 're ever likely to find .", "a memorable piece of cinema , that marks the continuos rise of one of britain 's most promising directors .", "a story of musical chaos and mental instability that 's often hilarious and ultimately really quite moving .", "the film has many charming and affecting moments , but ultimately amounts to an uneven and tonally confused disappointment that is less than the sum of its parts .", "if you 're willing to go with that - an affectionate character study of a bloke in a massive papier mache head - you 'll find MOV to be a richly rewarding film , and the title character to be one you ca n't help but fall in love with .", "the film plays with our assumptions about the mythology of the pop star . gleeson 's character is constantly looking for his inspiration , but he 's never quite on the right wavelength .", "darkly funny , whip-smart , impressively original and boasting one of michael fassbender 's most towering performances to date , MOV just about has it all .", "endearing enough to plaster a smile on any face hiding beneath its own ever-grinning facade .", "in the end , the film feels like a bit of a mashup , a mix of genres and tunes and tones that do n't quite mesh , but nonetheless as experimentation is far from uninteresting .", "taking us beneath the prop mask , in psychological rather than physical terms , fassbender astounds with how much he 's able to convey through movement and tone of voice , capitalising on dialogue that 's extremely effective in its minimalism .", "now , about MOV . abrahamson has done something quite brilliant with the casting here , akin to spike jonze using scarlett johansson 's voice in `` her . ''", "dreams of rock stardom become a warped reality in this barking-mad but affecting comedy about the side-effects of being a non-conformist genius .", "fassbender 's faceless performance offers a masterclass in body language , and that wide-eyed , open-mouthed mask invites band members , and viewers , to project their own readings .", "an idiosyncratic glimpse into music and mental illness , `` MOV '' falters more than it soars , but it 's intriguing watching this film follow the beat of its own unusual drum .", "off-beat and punk-spirited , sievey would no doubt approve of the tone and style of this movie .", "if you 'll pardon the cleverness , MOV takes time to wrap your own cranium around , faults and all , and that 's a wonderful thing .", "the bizarrely brilliant MOV demonstrates that quirkiness need not be a four-letter word in the language of movies .", "a faceless michael fassbender stars in this weird and wonderful musical comedy from director lenny abrahamson .", "a very meaningful film , but it also has a good beat .", "the film finally demolishes the old rock 'n' roll stereotype that mental illness can bear the fruit of creative genius . i suspect the truth is closer to what one character says : `` it slowed him down . ''", "the whole thing is in danger of becoming arch and quirky , yet abrahamson steers the final act of his drama toward a sombre , unhappy rumination .", "fassbender is brilliant beneath that absurd head , conveying all you need to know about MOV 's joys and woes and troubled soul by his body language alone .", "at its best , it 's a quirky curiosity . at its worst , the film takes a compelling idea and cops out in the end .", "this is a strange film for sure , but it 's also a completely sincere and affecting one .", "MOV is a film of questions , not answers .", "MOV is profoundly weird -- and perhaps also weirdly profound .", "it 's sweet , just pithy enough , and brings a touch of critical sanity to the question of insanity as performance-it 's a film that , you might say , has its head screwed on right .", "`` MOV '' has a wry sense of humor , the ring of authenticity and glimmers of genuine wisdom .", "it 's weird , but in the most embraceable of ways , thanks to the presence of the always likeable domhnall gleeson and a more-vulnerable-than-you 're - used-to michael fassbender .", "syd barrett ... this one 's for you .", "call it an offbeat psychological comedy , an off-balance dramedy with instrumental backing , a study in psychopathy , an amusement from a dark mind , or an adventure with a wannabe musician who gets a gig in the wrong -lrb- or , right -rrb- band .", "`` MOV '' is a true original , a film that heads in one direction only to veer off in another , yet never loses sight of where it 's going .", "if van gogh had picked up an acoustic car , he 'd be MOV , the eponymous rocker in this idiosyncratic irish film from the talented gaelic filmmaker , lenny abrahamson .", "a functioning , funny , weirdly touching fable of artistic angst and aspiration , a meditation on fame and its terrors and the metaphoric usefulness of masks and huge fake heads .", "compelling and funny , thanks to the yin-and-yang dynamic of its two primary characters .", "ping-pongs between amusing and tiresome .", "... the hello kitty effect : just as the mouthless kitty feels like you feel , so the unchanging expression of the plaster head that is MOV 's primary feature can reflect whatever feeling you ascribe to it .", "one gets a big head watching `` MOV . '' not to mention a swollen heart . but does size really matter ? you bet it does , especially when it concerns michael fassbender .", "constantly engaging with a finale that will resonate in the hearts of everyone , MOV is a fascinating and touching exploration of music and sound that only a special kind of person can tune into .", "MOV , like its central figure , is deeply weird , but in that special way that you simply ca n't avert your eyes from .", "a film ought to have something more to recommend it than a high degree of strangeness , but being strange is what this film is all about . resistance to this film 's goofy charm is futile .", "these characters end up feeling more than the sum of their parts even if the film containing them can never quite manage the same feat .", "MOV is a movie so bizarre and strange that it 's practically a miracle it got made at all", "it 's an amusing examination of fame and the creative process with a most enigmatic character at its center .", "a very touching and funny musical story about not selling out .", "fassbender sings music from the fringe", "it 's the rambling middle section that sticks out , partially because of an emotionally satisfying final turn that keeps things appropriately dark . being artistically pure is no simple thing , and frankis an apt symbol for outsider artists everywhere .", "an engagingly troubling film . highly entertaining , wonderfully challenging , and clever in the way it subverts audience expectations with a macabre sense of glee .", "there 's more to the absurd than just amusement", "both llewyn -lsb- davis -rsb- and MOV may embody the spirit of the difficult musician , but MOV ... is a more empathetic and engaging character , making MOV , the movie , a more bleakly funny yet ultimately touching film .", "straddles the line between being a quirky examination of creativity and a distressing look at mental illness , without ever truly committing to either .", "there 's a perseverance to `` MOV '' that 's also uplifting , a true spirit of unity among the damaged .", "a movie that raises questions about creativity and mental illness in a celebrity culture .", "though packaged for relative ease of consumption , MOV does manage to investigate the frontier between indie quirk and mental illness , the volatile combination of tortured soul and personality cult .", "a diverting but vaguely penetrative picture that 's so concerned with idiosyncrasy , it 's missing consistency .", "a quirky , weirdly funny tale with an underlying layer of deep melancholy , about the fragility not only of art but of the human psyche .", "a likable but ultimately slight arthouse comedy .", "a quirky , utterly engaging film that manages to be amusing , dark , surprising and poignant without wasting a single one of its 95 minutes .", "the movie 's hipness quotient far outweighs its laugh quotient , though there 's really no limit to the amusement of seeing someone bump around blindly in an oversize head .", "fassbender gives a finely textured performance both in and out of the head .", "`` MOV '' is a genuine original in a summer sea of sameness , and a darkly comedic manifesto against the cultural status quo .", "the film slowly gets away from quirky and gets darker and darker , but never loses it 's comic sensibilities .", "MOV shines most brightly in its pitch-black moments .", "fassbender proves his range whether he 's a mutant wearing a helmet ... or a quirky lead singer wearing a mask .", "being so close to these deeply miserable people made me feel smothered , and desperate for escape .", "strong performances from gleeson and fassbender -- both deviating from their respective rom-coms and oscar-baiting dramas -- give us a quirky film about the maddening pursuit of fame .", "a weird but accessible tale of a man who refuses to remove his mask .", "as playful as it is , lenny abrahamson 's film is mostly a surprisingly earnest story about the compromises and conflicts of art , stardom , and mental illness .", "you 're in for something funny , touching and vital . director lenny abrahamson knows his way around eccentrics .", "a strange and wonderful movie drawn from an even stranger and not quite so wonderful real-life story .", "MOV manages to get beneath the mask and the skin of its eponymous antihero in a manner that bridges the gap between absurdist laughter and all-too-tender tears .", "subtle and wryly amusing , this is a sympathetic glimpse into the ever-musing mind of an off-kilter genius ... but how much it 's an accurate reflection of the real chris sievey -lrb- who died of cancer in 2010 -rrb- it 's difficult to say .", "beneath those puppet-headed antics , and true to its title , MOV is improbably , disarmingly honest .", "michael fassbender spends the majority of lenny abrahamson 's irreverent comedy `` MOV '' buried underneath a giant plastic head , but the honesty of his performance is on full display .", "fassbender spends 99 % of MOV wearing the over-sized head , commanding the room with eccentricities and musical chaos instead of handsome looks .", "since watching the film , MOV has grown on me because of the weight of the ideas about creativity and complacency .", "the film tries very hard for quirky , but -lrb- barely -rrb- manages annoying .", "an oddball rock-and-roll-themed comedy-drama in need of the cult it may never attract .", "a finely grained ensemble piece , more sober than it needed to be , and more complexly engaging .", "michael fassbender is fantastic .", "for all its dissonances , MOV is provocative and affecting .", "perhaps chris sievey would have appreciated the punk sensibility behind this approach but surely not MOV 's inability to connect with anyone , outside his troupe of broken bandmates ?", "expect the unexpected in this extremely strange and off-the-wall tale in which music bonds a group of creative types who see the world through their own misshapen prism of expression . as for fassbender , it 's a masterful performance ,", "the film 's desire to reduce its cultural and artistic conflicts to simple one-on-one propositions gives the film a know-it-all air of superiority , likes it 's the worst kind of rock snob journalism .", "with the soulful gleeson and a sweetly menacing fassbender -lrb- under a giant helmet-head -rrb- at its center , the movie never loses its acerbic edge or its oversize heart .", "what they 've managed is a fair portrayal of group dynamics among weird , artsy types ; that it does n't venture onward to any further points is mitigated by the fact that it feels real , if not profound .", "it 's intriguing to contemplate the nature of fassbender 's performance , focused on voice and body language , as a fragile man who finds life easier to endure when he 's both hidden and highly visible at the same time .", "MOV is n't so much a film but a place where weird characters gather ; and it 's worth a visit .", "if michael fassbender wears a giant papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 head for most of a film , is he still mesmerizing ? happily , yes ...", "here 's a seemingly twee movie that ultimately , surprisingly argues that some music is n't for everybody , some people are too broken to fix , and some would-be artists are better off in the audience .", "with jon , rather than MOV , as the film 's focal point , ` MOV ' flails about trying to establish a consistent rhythm , but mostly ends up striking false notes .", "adorably , touchingly and musically ... weird .", "the film boldly raises the unanswerable question of whether it 's better for an artist to safely isolate his work or tweak it a bit so as to share it with the world .", "as compelling a film about music and its mad masters as they come .", "a big group hug from the oddballs", "`` the question of why MOV 's wearing a giant mask becomes deftly overshadowed by a host of potentially richer questions that turn the mirror on the audience . ''", "a funny , first-class satire on the pop music business in which an avante garde band headed by a lead singer with a huge fake head he never takes off -lrb- michael fassbender -rrb- wrestles with the prospect of becoming popular .", "the last-act turn into seriousness is a drag , but the movie rebounds with a final bit of uplift , so it leaves you a good taste in your mouth .", "michael fassbender covers up in MOV , though you could say that of any film he 's done in the years since shame .", "music and mental illness collide in a comedy-drama that 's weird but not always wonderful .", "while this comedy-drama is sometimes wilfully absurd , it 's also exhilarating cinema , telling its story with conflicting amounts of warm emotion and prickly abrasiveness .", "despite his exaggerated , expressionless appearance , fassbender subtly conveys the sadder elements of this story about a man whose head begins to weigh heavily on his shoulders .", "MOV 's so quirky , it 's a foible .", "not like the usual music biopic ... and profoundly the better for it .", "MOV is a sweet , funny and deeply weird comedy with a winning performance from domhnall gleeson as a naive innocent negotiating the eccentric wonderland of rock and roll notoriety .", "an askew , bitter dramedy of artistic pretension and creative desperation that has something sneakily marvelous to say about what it takes - and what it does n't - to be an artist .", "the most impressive aspect of MOV is its seriousness about psychological illness .", "acutely weird anarcho-punk mayhem .", "this is a fundamentally sad film , yet one full of slapstick , silliness , and laughter .", "MOV is a tribute to a way of life as much as to an individual .", "in small movements - the twitch of a hand , a wobble under a door frame , a beer and straw held uselessly by his painted mouth - fassbender gives us glimpses of what MOV 's isolating genius has cost him .", "the movie roots the mask in mental illness without scanting MOV 's artistic playfulness and power . the result is that rarity , a genuine pop tragicomedy .", "in the subgenre of movies that capture -lrb- or at least artfully dramatize -rrb- the birth of beautiful music , MOV is a stunner .", "things go from cutesy to clever to grim , from the band 's country shack to the road , and it takes too long to get everywhere .", "director lenny abrahamson finds plenty of humor in his band of misfit characters , but the movie does n't treat their odd behavior as mere fodder for slapstick . the movie 's heart lies in its understanding of their fragility .", "a delightful , oddball surprise .", "the soronprfbs may be the best fake on-screen punk band since the stains .", "`` MOV '' might be a less cute movie without the mask but it would probably be a better one .", "odd , offbeat , somehow endearing , the bleakly comic `` MOV '' has its own kind of charm as well as some pointed , poignant things to say about the mysterious nature of creativity , where it comes from and where it might all go ." ], "summary": "funny , clever , and endearingly unusual , MOV transcends its quirky trappings with a heartfelt -- and surprisingly thought-provoking -- story .", "id": "771371770" }, { "movie": "sandlot", "reviews": [ "there 's a snappy change-of-pace gag involving a little guy and a nubile lifeguard , but the screams and barks and fraudulent emotions grow wearying .", "` the MOV ' always struck me as a more kid-friendly version of ` stand by me . '", "a solid double rather than a grand slam , the MOV remains a refreshing antidote to the daily round of contract squabbles on the sports page .", "you feel as if you 're being smothered in cotton candy by a director obsessed with infantility and who can not bear to face the reality of childhood .", "in the MOV 's nostalgia for simpler times , a single-sex world seems to be a key component .", "the kids even have their own treehouse , which means that the production designer is the only person connected with this project who actually went out on a limb .", "the MOV is a safe , wholesome , patriotic family picture about baseball , and if there is an original scene , it escaped my attention .", "in this well-crafted movie , a strong cohesive ensemble makes the team likable . guiry as scotty is especially good .", "any of charles schulz 's baseball-oriented peanuts strips contains more understanding of baseball and more insight into children , as well as more pointed fun .", "several of the hard issues involving childhood -- getting accepted in a new neighborhood , getting accepted buy a new stepdad -- are handled with sensitivity .", "predictable as the movie is , the field of dreams quality is not the only thing to like about the MOV .", "old baseball wisdom : the best teams win with strong fundamentals . so do the best movies .", "ever since stand by me , it seems that every boy 's own yarn is deemed incomplete without a nostalgic , pseudo-ironic voice-over waxing lyrical about the mythology of short pants and acne .", "nothing about his modest coming-of-age comedy demands anything like this awestruck approach .", "good , with flashes of very good , overlaid with a particularly thick wash of nostalgia that stubbornly refuses to go obnoxiously cloying . it 's a nice film , that 's what it is .", "field of dreams for tweens .", "sweet and sincere , the film is also a remarkably shallow wade , rife with incident and slim on substance .", "the MOV is a kids flick that will always stand the test of the time and be a movie that you can watch over and over as you grow older . it never loses its touch .", "for kids of the 1990s , there is no greater baseball movie than this coming-of-age tale about a lonely fifth-grader who makes lifelong friends by playing neighborhood baseball games .", "this is a movie for anyone who has ever loved baseball and for anyone who enjoys the american graffiti/stand by me style of narrative . highly recommended .", "the comedy is broad , cartoonish , and quite funny in a faux little rascals manner . the movie is almost completely derivative , but that 's part of the fun .", "for every field of dreams there are a dozen lesser , completely incomprehensible baseball movies . this is one of them .", "the MOV is n't well made but it 's alive with dopey , summertime spirit .", "this is a movie ... that allows its kids to be kids , that shows them in the insular world of imagination and dreaming that children create entirely apart from adult domains and values .", "the MOV is a movie with a comfortable working knowledge of the term `` family entertainment . ''", "a wondrous , true-to-life comedy .", "an adventurous ode to growing up .", "this is one of the best family entertainment films to come out in recent years .", "... touching ... heartwarming ... sentimental and funny ... innocuous but sweet , i could n't help but smile through most of it .", "its messages of anti-bullying , befriending losers , and pretending the fat kid stuffing ho-hos into his mouth does n't make you sick are as timeless as they are trite .", "older kids and overgrown ones too probably will notice that nothing much ever happens in this belabored suburban variation on the little rascals .", "if you can accept `` the MOV '' on its own terms , as a sentimental , nostalgic look at growing up ... you 'll have fun . more importantly , young audiences will have fun ." ], "summary": "it may be shamelessly derivative and overly nostalgic , but the MOV is nevertheless a genuinely sweet and funny coming-of-age adventure .", "id": "10193" }, { "movie": "fargo", "reviews": [ "MOV stands out as the coen brothers ' warmest , most accessible offering to date -- despite its frosty minnesota setting .", "in the fascinating MOV , writer-director joel and writer-producer ethan have come up with a film that is either an oddly funny crime drama or an ultra-deadpan comedy , depending on how you look at it .", "as great a film as the coens have made . and that 's saying something .", "it 's a miracle : a tough , honest , bloody film set so far from the bright lights it feels as if it 's on a different planet , yet knowable and absolutely compelling from start to finish . MOV is great american movie-making .", "the coen brothers , director ethan and producer-cowriter joel , have finally latched onto a story strong enough to carry their eccentric mix of black humor and self-conscious style .", "the performances by mcdormand -lrb- bringing a great screen character to life -rrb- and macy are superb .", "as is typical coen brothers entertainment . `` MOV '' offers incredibly complex characterization along with very memorable dark comedy .", "dark , gritty , and brilliant . not for kids .", "`` MOV '' is the kind of black comedy you can rediscover over and over again . the laughs and shocks never fade .", "quite simply , MOV is the best movie the coen brothers have ever made . and that 's saying a lot .", "uniquely fascinating .", "MOV has been hauntingly photographed by roger deakins with great , expressive use of white-outs that sometimes make the characters appear to be moving through a dream .", "has a murder mystery , a heist gone wrong , tragedy , comedy , and well flushed out characters that are both simple and complex at the same time .", "like every other critic i 'm aware of , i loved this movie .", "the filmmaking duo of joel and ethan coen turn in yet another of their mini-classics with this dark-humored drama of debt , ransom and murder .", "works like a charm . a really weird charm , that is .", "this may be the warmest movie the coen brothers have ever made .", "a crime gem that is darkly funny even when it 's chilling -- and certain to become a classic .", "with MOV , joel and ethan coen return to the glory days of 1987 and raising arizona .", "mcdormand is brilliant , macy terrific , presnell perfect , buscemi fabulous . and stormare is fascinating as one of the deadliest and most horrid big-screen killers in recent memory . MOV is a down-and-dirty doozy .", "the result is a modern masterpiece .", "you have to grant the coens their due as creators of suspense , mood and plotting , and for their ability to color the most monstrous crimes with an undeniably funny sense of the absurd .", "from the camera angles to the set design , everything is calculated to make the viewer feel superior to the cloddish , geeky characters on display .", "it 's another daring black comedy by one of the most consistently inventive moviemaking teams of the last decade , brothers joel and ethan coen .", "returning to the horror-comic vein that launched their careers , director joel coen and producer ethan coen pepper their new picture with so much humor that the occasional bursts of sheer mayhem seem more ridiculous than revolting .", "a small , supremely satisfying film . heck and you betcha , it is .", "a few scenes go around in circles , as if snow-blind , and the humor may be too inward and contorted for some tastes . but mcdormand brings order to the weirdness and warms it up .", "deceptive in its storytelling choices , economical with its plotting , and sly with its dialogue , this oscar winner is truly incredible .", "if MOV could make up its mind what kind of movie it wanted to be , it might find meaning in its tangle of surface caricatures and impeccable technical stylistics .", "the hot news about joel and ethan coen is that they have made a tolerable film .", "the joy of MOV is that everything that goes wrong does so in a perfectly realized universe of icebound minnesotan understatement , a landscape so muffled by snow and scandinavian-bred , low-affect courtesy that even murderous passion comes out goofy .", "-lrb- the coen 's -rrb- assured steps from darkness into light is a cinematic balancing act", "this is the film 's genius , its emulation of true crime 's obsession with prosaic or spectacular minutiae , coupled with a refusal to make such details cohere into master plans and meanings .", "it 's easy to admire what the coens are trying to do in MOV , but more difficult to actually like the film .", "the coens remain effortlessly ahead of the american field .", "one of the more entertaining films of the 1990s .", "kidnapping , larceny and murder have seldom been funnier than in MOV .", "the coen brothers have always loved to go far , a tactic they do n't forgo in MOV . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "the most complete film the coens have ever made , it 's nothing short of a movie for the ages .", "the best movie heroine in years .", "MOV , with its grotesque murders and cheery detectives , is a cold gem that takes us to the far north . its seemingly pitiless light opens up the realms of darkness concealed beneath that world of white .", "MOV is a strikingly mature , uniqueentertainment that plays on many levels ... all satisfying .", "it combines a sheer energy of satire , comedy and thriller that it seems at first glance an impossible movie to make .", "much less vain , flamboyant , and showy than their other pictures , MOV bears the thematic influence of samuel beckett and the stylish coolness of finland 's aki kaurismaki , but the violence is all coens .", "-lsb- marge is -rsb- a good cop because everything abnormal stands out like a stain against her white-on-white sanity ... -lsb- h -rsb- er incomprehension -lsb- of criminality -rsb- is not only her strength as a detective , it justifies the deadpan style of the movie .", "a quirky violent comedy that 's worth watching .", "to watch it is to experience steadily mounting delight , as you realize the filmmakers have taken enormous risks , gotten away with them and made a movie that is completely original , and as familiar as an old shoe .", "overall , the movie 's plot-line is so-so , the acting is above par , the soundtrack is original , and some memorable scenes reside .", "even a lunch pulled from a buffet adds texture to the film .", "whether these characters are lovable or detestable , they 're lovable or detestable in a tv way -- defined by a minimal set of traits that are endlessly reiterated and incapable of expansion or alteration , a fixed loop .", "the danger in portraying characters you consider significantly less interesting than yourself is that too much superiority and not enough affection can lead to a fatal snottiness .", "it is stylish , lacerating as a social insight and extremely well-acted by the entire no-superstar ensemble led by frances mcdormand .", "finally , -lsb- the coens -rsb- have given us characters we can care for , a story that keeps us wondering , hoping and guessing , as well as the distinctive visual style that marks all coen productions .", "i could have done without the blood -lrb- including a scene with a person being fed into a wood chipper -rrb- , but the comedy is hilarious .", "funny , frightening and pointed in its explorations of human behavior .", "she 's a sharp cookie .", "any movie that can do that and get away with it as efficiently as MOV does is something to treasure .", "... one of the most hilariously twisted murder mysteries to come along since , well , since never .", "MOV -lrb- 1996 -rrb- is a self-proclaimed `` homespun murder story '' set in the white-washed , winter wilderness of the frozen and bleak upper midwest .", "flat-out great .", "funny without really trying to be , and it proves conclusively that fact is stranger than fiction .", "thank you , brothers coen . you have renewed my faith in the serious talent who can not be lured into the pecuniary heavens of hollywood .", "one of those rare pictures about which i have nothing negative to say .", "gunderson -lrb- frances mcdormand -rrb- -lsb- is -rsb- the most endearing , hilarious and wholly feminine heroine since thelma or louise .", "filled with the coens ' trademark graveyard wit and unique camera angles , MOV rockets along without a dull moment ; it 's by far their most tightly constructed picture since raising arizona .", "this mordant , macabre look at the american obsession with fast food , television and murder is icily funny .", "do you have to be a minnesotan to really get MOV ?", "a nifty bit of nastiness from two of our most dependably provocative filmmakers .", "with the subtle , homespun and ironic performances of macy and frances mcdormand ... the film becomes a darkly laughable tale of small town normality going awry .", "the coens have n't been this sharp , focused and fluid since their first film .", "written and directed with the verve , painstaking nuance and outrageously black humour that have become the mainstay of a coen movie .", "chief gunderson was created by the coens specifically for frances mcdormand ... and they 've been rewarded by a brilliant and unblinking comic performance .", "all attitude and low aptitude . its function is to italicize the coens ' giddy contempt toward people who talk and think minnesotan .", "it brilliantly moves from comedy to poignancy to tragedy and back constantly .", "this is truly a brilliant film , the kind you do n't see often . intelligent , raw , funny , daring and unique , pure cinematic delight from start to end .", "um dos grandes trunfos de MOV reside em seus di\u0431logos . o problema \u0439 que estes duelos verbais travados entre os personagens perdem muito durante a tradu\u0437\u0433o para o portugu\u043as .", "the beauty of the film is in the subtle detail of the dialogue and performances which continue to enchant on repeat viewings .", "MOV shows coens ' film-making ability at its best .", "for all its blood , the movie contains large doses of humor and not a little sweetness and hope .", "-lsb- the coen brothers ' -rsb- very best film , crammed with memorable characters and quotable dialogue .", "an odd , intriguing , and entertaining film .", "the brothers have returned to their roots , both visually and literally . their new film is reminiscent of their debut movie , blood simple , and its wry look at murder .", "this is a near brilliant/near masterpiece -lrb- if not an outright masterpiece -rrb- .", "it 's good storytelling ... hilarious , disturbing , tragic , and hopeful . but it 's not for the squeamish ." ], "summary": "violent , quirky , and darkly funny , MOV delivers an original crime story and a wonderful performance by mcdormand .", "id": "104762093" }, { "movie": "killing_fields", "reviews": [ "one of the most potent politically-charged dramas ever made , managing to honor both the epic and the intimate aspects of its drama . one of the top films of the '80s .", "powerful , unsettling , factual ; oscar caliber acting all around .", "first time feature director roland joffe shoots the drama with an unforced realism lent a terrible grace by the handsome images and smooth , unobtrusive long takes ...", "without doubt one of the finest british films of the last 50 years .", "the screen is swamped by a bathetic , self-preening sententiousness .", "a deeply moving film .", "the intent and outward trappings are all impressively in place , but at its heart there 's something missing .", "the film 's overall thrust -- angry , intelligent , compassionate -- makes this producer puttnam 's finest movie to date .", "a mighty accomplishment , and possibly the bravest britflick yet made .", "epic and heartrending .", "a gripping romanticized and somewhat fictionalized adaptation of an eyewitness magazine piece by new york times journalist sidney schanberg .", "the movie is too conventional and fictionalized to qualify as a genuine political epic , but it 's emotionally touching in describing the friendship between the ny times reporter and his cambodian translator .", "one of the great films from what proved to be a great year for cinema , the MOV has n't lost any of its power over the ensuing 30 years .", "every scene of the MOV -lrb- and every participant in its making -rrb- is in service of showing how abruptly a seemingly safe and vital individual can have everything essential stripped away .", "if you see no more than one film a year , make this the one for 1984 .", "ngor 's naturalistic and empathic portrayal of his character 's desperate fight for survival is the key to this film 's visceral power .", "few feature films have captured a nation 's agony more dramatically than roland joff\u00e9 's the MOV .", "-lsb- a -rsb- gripping , intelligent , provocative drama .", "se a primeira metade impressiona pelo virtuosismo t\u00e9cnico , a segunda fascina pela coragem em observar sem sensacionalismo a magn\u00edfica for\u00e7a de vontade de um sobrevivente , beneficiando-se ainda da maravilhosa performance semi-auto-biogr\u00e1fica de ngor .", "it must be nerve-racking for the producers to offer a tale so lacking in standard melodramatic satisfactions . but the result is worth it , for this is the clearest film statement yet on how the nature of heroism has changed in this totalitarian century .", "the movie is diffuse and wandering . it 's someone telling a long , interesting story who ca n't get to the point .", "the best moments are the human ones , the conversations , the exchanges of trust , the waiting around , the sudden fear , the quick bursts of violence , the desperation .", "the story is powerful , the script intelligent , the cinematography beautiful and the performances nearly flawless .", "`` unforgettable and unshakable ''", "the MOV -lrb- 1984 -rrb- is based upon a true story , and follows the historical events surrounding the us evacuation from vietnam in 1975 .", "a powerful portrait of how the atrocities of a world gone crazy tested the friendship and loyalty of two men", "the director , roland joffe , and his photographer , chris menges , capture all of this with a realism that has n't been so poetically convincing in a nondocumentary context since gillo pontecorvo 's battle of algiers ." ], "summary": "artfully composed , powerfully acted , and fueled by a powerful blend of anger and empathy , the MOV is a career-defining triumph for director roland joff\u00e9 and a masterpiece of american cinema .", "id": "13358" }, { "movie": "hancock", "reviews": [ "successfully mocks goofy superhero conventions while affectionately reveling in some of the best-loved clich\u00e9s of the genre .", "a ton of potential , but ultimately a mess .", "MOV is horrendously disjointed and barely manages to tell a story , but i was delighted by its charisma and will smith 's unexpected middle-finger timing .", "MOV is a hodgepodge of intriguing ideas that , if developed further or presented as more than throw-ins to a confused production , might have made for a unique superhero film .", "in this highly superheroic summer of iron man and the forthcoming the dark knight , MOV can offer only an a-list headliner in a d-list project .", "MOV is a film that starts off promisingly , but takes a left turn about halfway through and literally comes apart at the seams .", "the set-up is there , but the big payoff is a huge letdown .", "-lsb- smith -rsb- should have pushed for a rewrite as `` MOV '' only flies so far before degenerating into a lame and illogical `` my super ex-girlfriend . ''", "with great power comes great -- irresponsibility .", "part of smith and berg 's subvert-your-expectations game plan involves a major midfilm shocker , one that takes the movie to larger mythological places unrelated to MOV 's self-improvement quest .", "it 's like dating britney spears . too much drama .", "something big and different during that time of the year when something big and different is so rare .", "do n't expect to laugh more than five times and you wo n't be disappointed .", "a slightly messy movie , but it 's also one of the year 's best .", "the shaking and almost random cutting destroy the movie 's timing and humor , though smith is skilled enough to sneak a few laughs through .", "`` MOV '' is a mess of a movie , a bizarre combination , believe it or not , of `` my super ex-girlfriend '' and `` breaking the waves . ''", "-lsb- a -rsb- bout three-fifths of the way in , things take a sudden turn ... while this switcheroo has put off many critics , it is precisely what i found most interesting ...", "feels like they shot the story treatment without ever bothering to turn it into a screenplay ... the film is full of empty patches : not plot-holes exactly , but spots where it seems we are n't getting a full movie .", "MOV is a rarity . it 's an action yarn that feels like a drama and , alternately , a drama that takes our breath away with bursts of eye-popping action .", "MOV is not the light and fluffy comedy you may think it is - it 's dark and coarse , but well worth checking out .", "drunk superhero comedy turns into ... something else , not all that successfully .", "MOV can fly ; MOV can punch ; MOV is bulletproof . regrettably these things do n't hold true for MOV as a film , which starts promisingly enough , but ultimately gets knocked off course by a reveal of dubious dramatic value .", "even will smith 's jerky superhero -lrb- and another winning supporting turn from jason bateman -rrb- ca n't save the latter half of this film 's messy script .", "the second half gets so worked up over itself that MOV becomes nearly unrecognizable as the movie we were all enjoying twenty minutes earlier .", "MOV is a lot of fun , if perhaps a little top-heavy with stuff being destroyed .", "MOV is still worth seeing , if only for a glimpse of what might have been a truly innovative idea .", "as for smith , he 's on fire . there 's nothing like a star shining on his highest beams . you follow him anywhere .", "passable if profane , MOV chugs along right up to that when this comic superhero engine goes off the tracks , and pretty much off a cliff .", "i 'm willing to give a superhero film some leeway in terms of realism but a film has to remain true to its own inner logic and this one keeps changing the ground rules .", "the problem is that director peter berg , aided and abetted by smith and theron and third banana jason bateman , seem to have made it literally , not realizing its out-of-whack tonalities and grotesque plot twists were meant to be played for laughs .", "the good cast does what it can with the weak material , but the waste of talent only makes the film 's total failure that much more regrettable .", "MOV leaps fluidly from comedy to action to romance . and it has bigger surprises in store .", "as soon as the hero becomes another wounded demigod brooding on rooftops , the movie loses its sting .", "ill-conceived and oddly executed , this will smith vehicle perplexes more often than it entertains .", "MOV makes for one unexpectedly satisfying and kinky addition to hollywood 's superhero chronicles .", "there 's a great idea here , but it 's buried within a muddled story that lurches between dark comedy and maudlin drama .", "a fun , fairly crisp opening hour gives way to a muddled , entirely unsatisfying ending .", "this is a different take on the superhero genre with an interesting , offbeat twist .", "what an odd movie !", "... an engaging and thoroughly innovative spin on the superhero genre ...", "a few actors such as clint eastwood , marry substance and popularity . but very few . most actors ' egos lead them to slum in the box office . i 'm reminded of this often when a major , talented actor opts for popularity instead of substance when the latter beck", "i have no problem signing on to recommend this . get it ? signing on ... john MOV ... nevermind .", "kicks into tired oh-it-sucks-to-have-superpowers territory and opens up a can of racial issues it has no intention of investigating", "MOV is what happens when you have talented people working on quality material : it 's really a no-brainer that it works so well .", "and if you 're still not willing to forgive MOV , and least there is the scene where he shoves a guy 's head up another guy 's butt .", "MOV is funny and pretty fresh but finally gives up on idiosyncrasy , leaving you nothing much to discover .", "MOV is an irreverent hero for our times -- perhaps reflecting our own national zeitgeist , with america 's previously untainted superpower image suddenly a matter of debate rather than fact .", "`` MOV '' is not a bad movie , just an underachieving one . it lacks a `` wow '' factor . it is bland and routine and flies off in too many directions .", "a floundering action comedy with an interesting premise that self-destructs in its second half .", "... in spite of its flaws , i very much enjoyed MOV , for both its interesting and creative storytelling and smith 's great lead performance .", "the first half is diverting and inventive . but the filmmakers use the second half as a box-office insurance policy . they fill it with the conventional super-heroics and heartbreak that they spend the first 45 minutes gleefully deconstructing .", "since the pursuit of happyness , actor-producer smith has made no secret of his desire to make movies that entertain in that big-studio way but also dig deeper . MOV is a rousing measure of that intent .", "a few more films like these , and this will be remembered as the beginning of the end of his blockbuster career .", "will smith and a great cast are not enough to keep this from becoming a soaring disappointment in this summer 's superhero movie sweepstakes .", "audience members willing to hop aboard this emotional roller coaster ride will respond to the resultant pathos far better than viewers wondering why the laughs suddenly went mia .", "as delivered by director peter berg , MOV is never as serious or funny or poignant as it could be . and despite clocking in at a reasonable running time , it has a big sag in the middle that nothing could have fixed .", "almost any moviegoer should be able to find something to enjoy , but it 's hard to imagine anyone liking this mishmash from beginning to end .", "train wrecks are intrinsically spectacular , and will smith 's new movie offers a doozy . two of them , in fact .", "a relatively satisfying ending that leaves just enough of an opening to warrant a sequel if the box office receipts are right .", "it becomes an entirely different film , one not really premised on the bad-superhero comedy idea , and the film is then oddly without a sense of humour , and its vague interest in satire vanishes completely .", "the strain of messianism in will smith movies is becoming ever more pronounced .", "while the film never quite reaches an alan moore-level deconstruction of the superhero mythos , it has a fun time offering up all the joy of a big-budget action movie without taking things too seriously .", "the fourth of july will not be the only day for fireworks , july 2nd will definitely heat up at your local theatre when MOV is released . be sure to check it out .", "will smith , fourth of july , superhero . it all seems to add up to a great combination . but they only made half a film .", "smith and bateman are great , and the first half of the movie is terrific . the second half ... well , you 'll either go with it or you wo n't .", "has plenty of funny , even tender moments until it veers in a different , messy direction an hour in .", "the most adult of the new wave of superhero dramas .", "this misguided attempt to wring a novel twist on the superhero genre has a certain whiff of the last action hero about it .", "for a robust action story about three people from very different backgrounds attempting to make a positive influence on their world , `` MOV '' is a step in the right direction .", "if will smith can pull off this hodgepodge of a movie , an ill-conceived poorly executed effort that tries to be all things to all people , then he really is hollywood 's most bankable star .", "smith clearly has fun sending up his image .", "no surprise to me , because i fully expected it to be awesome .", "there 's enough good stuff to justify action fan attendance .", "great concept , shaky execution .", "MOV suggests the colin powell ` pottery barn ' argument , but before it gets really interesting , veers wildly off course .", "MOV is a movie that tosses the genre cookie cutter under the bus .", "most of MOV 's faults can be forgiven because will smith creates a quintessentially american hero : flawed , frayed , but always sacrificing for the sake of others .", "`` MOV '' is two films jammed together . the first part , deserves an `` a '' -lrb- kudos to jason bateman -rrb- , but the second part is clearly a b movie . i 'll average only to a b .", "less like a complete movie , MOV plays out more like the first two episodes of a television series shown back to back .", "-lrb- ... -rrb- una buena idea no hace necesariamente una gran pel\u00edcula , y MOV est\u00e1 lejos de ser perfecta . a\u00fan as\u00ed vale la pena y will smith est\u00e1 perfecto en su rol titular .", "it 's definitely a mish-mash , but really good performances .", "squeezing every bit of originality out of its concept , MOV fails on so many levels that it 's surprising the film is n't a bigger success with audiences .", "it 's let down by a disappointingly uneven plot , painfully underwritten characters and dodgy effects .", "smart enough to use the cgi madness in service to the story , rather than just ending and scene or conflict with a big effecty showdown . -lrb- i 'm looking at you , transformers ! -rrb-", "a strange but cool comedy .", "even with smith 's considerable charm and his proven track record as independence day weekend movie god , MOV does n't succeed as a truly satisfying holiday-movie blockbuster .", "the bottom line , of course , is will smith who carries the film and salvages things even while the story falls apart all around him . the guy has charisma to burn , and makes MOV appealing", "most of the film is zippy , funny , and fascinatingly strange -- all qualities that are often lacking in some of the more bloated action blockbusters .", "the superhero genre screams for a makeover , or at least a smart deconstruction , but MOV is n't that movie . it just ups the foolishness ante .", "the strain of sadism that 's crept into mainstream american movies eventually overtakes and undercuts MOV , which should embarrass the filmmakers , who pay lip service here to gooey idealism .", "a fascinating film about exploitation as it applies to blacks and the entertainment industry .", "while MOV certainly is n't lacking in ambition , unfortunately it does lack coherence .", "between the jittery pseudo-realism of peter berg 's direction and the maudlin undercurrent to its hero 's redemption , all MOV can summon up is the faintest sensation of nausea .", "another great departure for smith to put his charm and popularity to the test , offering more than a few solid laughs within an original superhero premise .", "fatally compromised -lrb- but -rrb- ambitious and clever ... it reminds us of the way majority america treats black men in particular , with a humiliating mistrust that 's never far behind the admiration expressed for those who ` earn ' approval through their talents ...", "MOV tries to reinvent the superhero movie - until it loses interest in its own story .", "it 's a pointless , plodding and just plain ugly effort which fails on just about every level .", "MOV is n't by any means a dead loss , but it could have been a lot better .", "MOV endures by finding the right rhythm to match its star , and by lashing enough amusing moments together to provide a trim 92 minutes of entertainment .", "the phony mythos turns into equally spurious pathos that plays like bathos because not one iota of the sentiment or sympathy has been earned .", "smith 's invincibilty at the box office may come down , for this film is a mess . not even his charm and personality can save this train wreck .", "` what are those jammin ' sounds ? is it a musical jetstream of crunk ? `` no , it 's MOV on approach ! use runway six left , MOV ! all jiggy for landing ! '", "the structure of MOV is a bold risk that supplies more storytelling ambition than your more typical summer popcorn blockbuster .", "there are more problems afoot than just its misleading rating , beginning with the story itself .", "there 's a game-changing plot twist that is at first fascinating , but ultimately infuriating because the movie never capitalizes on it .", "the attempts to deepen the emotions turn MOV into a strange , conflicted and often joyless film .", "smith 's pictures deliver familiar pleasures ; they work with efficiency but not inspiration , honoring the time-honored movie platitudes that will neither shock nor stretch an audience .", "it 's worth it just to see a ready-made superman-sized superhero in action without all the baggage of decades of retellings and reworkings ; even looking at familiar faces working through a familiar genre , it 's nice to be surprised for once .", "credit must be paid to director peter berg for pulling off such a tricky balance of such diverse elements while delivering an impressive and affecting superhero adventure with as much heart and soul as sound and fury .", "MOV the jaunty , jokey riff on the screwed-up inner emotional life of a traditionally ironclad superhero becomes MOV the icky lesson in the importance of personal responsibility , loyalty , and continued family togetherness .", "this is an open letter to director peter berg . i just wanted to say , `` good job ! ''", "but for most of its running time , MOV is a refreshing piece of cinema that should be another solid summer hit for smith .", "there are some moments when it looks as though it is somehow going to work but then , much like its anti-hero , it comes crashing back to earth , leaving nothing behind of note besides a giant mess .", "MOV is a giant mess of a movie . it 's not just misguided , it 's insulting .", "i 'm not so sure berg is losing faith that his audience can follow along ... but in the face of so many comic book films entering theatres , it seems a poor choice to differentiate yours by way of tacky tv-level antics .", "sadly , the bar is set too high and the movie implodes under the weight of its own ambitions .", "subtlety and nuance take a summer vacation .", "sheds essential exposition in a mad , foolish dash to the finish line .", "a clumsily executed , forgettable mess that 's too dark for kids , too dull for teens and too dumb for adults", "i love surprises and would happily be led up the garden path with will smith , but there 's a fatal flaw to MOV , with alien-sized plot holes and worse still , characters behaving out of context .", "a bunch of strange , vague ideas crammed into a movie with nowhere to go and absolutely nothing to show us .", "frenetic , forgettable and unfulfilling . even will smith looks uncharacteristically uncomfortable .", "the action comedy , a biting satire of superhero mythology and the comedy that results from its real-world applications , makes you love the guy for his brutally logical demeanor .", "MOV suggests new visual directions and emotional tonalities for pop . it 's by far the most enjoyable big movie of the summer .", "an unfocused , ill-conceived , and rather ridiculous smith vehicle ...", "a disappointing mishmash .", "the special effects feel rather synthetic for a big-time summer blockbuster . when the smoke finally clears MOV emerges as just another routine riff on the superhero genre", "an interesting idea , but it falls a bit short of being a compelling story .", "while by no means a perfect film , i still found a lot to enjoy here . there have been at least two dozen superhero movies in the last six or seven years . it 's kind of nice to see one that looks at things from the other side of the coin .", "uma varia\u0437\u0433o interessante sobre um g\u043anero que vem surgindo com freq\u044c\u043ancia cada vez maior nas telas ... e ver um super-her\u0443i massacrado pelo peso de sua responsabilidade \u0439 um conceito que , por si s\u0443 , j\u0431 merece aplausos .", "after a frenetic and funny first half , ` MOV ' falls apart , devolving into a sentimentalized and scattershot piece short on integrity and sense .", "a strange hybrid of a movie ; a film that never congeals and is the first misstep that i can recall smith making since he refused to kiss eric thal on screen in six degrees of separation 15 years ago .", "it feels like a couple of reels are missing ... devoting an enjoyable first hour to our dirtbag crusader 's unlikable antiheroics , before jumping to the conclusion without benefit of a second act .", "it 's certainly the most complexly ornery superhero flick we 're likely to get this summer .", "director peter berg knows the difference between cartoon violence and the real stuff , and MOV mixes both to good effect .", "you have to admire any summer blockbuster that freshens and subverts the superhero genre , and you 're in fine hands with these actors .", "part of the joke lies in seeing a megawatt star embrace his inner grouch with fantastical blunders , and part of the anticipation lies in seeing MOV become , well , will smith .", "to be sure , MOV mines the superhero mythology and pays homage to the rich folklore on which it feeds and sustains itself , but what it does with the raw materials is thoroughly , refreshingly unique .", "it does n't take itself as seriously as it should , and undercuts a final act that should have and so could have packed a mighty emotional wallop .", "despite having a few ` wow ' moments , this is one of the more frustratingly inconsistent movies in recent memory .", "a new movie that makes the previous pandemonium seem downright restrained .", "there were many moments where i was going from nail-biting to knee-slapping .", "no one can tell a coherent story anymore , and before long no one will notice .", "setting out to be both a parody and the very thing that it 's parodying , the movie comes up short on both accounts .", "the filmmakers can not resist embracing the conventions they were tweaking . MOV turns from a moody , darkly funny character piece trimmed out with a bit of engaging action and veers into a poor impersonation of a standard superhero movie .", "MOV 's light-hearted comedic elements sit uncomfortably next to its more ` adult ' cussing and violence ...", "MOV has about 50 minutes of action and dark , edgy humour before it veers off into cheese land .", "it 's the sort of role smith ought to be able to pull off easily . but even his superpowers apparently have their limits .", "there are many joys to be found in MOV , not the least of which is smith 's effortless performance ...", "if you thought you were in for something light-hearted , prepare yourself for more superhero angst than batman begins and hulk combined .", "by the expedited conclusion it all feels less like a peter berg film and just another chapter in will smith 's tentpole history of major creative failures .", "the premise alone is worth the price of admission and the first hour is some of 2008 's most intriguing cinema .", "MOV tries to be several things at once , but fails to be anything at all ! i was hoping that this was going to be a fun take on the superhero genre , but instead it 's easily the worst film of the summer !!!", "director peter berg mounts a special-effects extravaganza that 's very boring indeed , and does n't quite deafen us to the inadequacies of the script , while smith pretends to be a grumpy git but , naturally , winds up begging us to love him .", "for anyone who thinks spider-man 3 needed more superhero angst .", "here 's a movie filled with bright ideas , crammed uncomfortably into a story burdened by confusing and often contradictory exposition .", "his symbol is the eagle . he beats up on little frenchmen . he is ` the only one of my kind , ' the world 's lone and lonely superpower . MOV is a clever metaphor for america in the world .", "see-saws between straight superhero movie and parody , with layers of soap-opera fudge in between . a lot of solid scenes - but MOV lacks the power of super-coherence .", "the dynamic between the sullen smith and sincere bateman may be the best thing in the peter berg 's movie , but it 's a tough call because the whole popcorn fest is flat-out fantastic .", "there are lots of interesting ideas and some fine work on display , but it never gels into a fully satisfying movie experience . like its titular super-anti-hero , it only works sometimes .", "the more we get to know about MOV and how he acquired his name and mysterious powers , the less entertaining it becomes .", "the acting matches the action", "morally bankrupt . and this is coming from someone who thinks ted bundy was misunderstood .", "... a tale of redemption hard-won , and all the more rewarding for that .", "... the bottom line is that , as far as botched movies go , MOV is a painless way to pass a couple of hours enjoying a mindless summer popcorn movie .", "remember wild wild west ? well ...", "too bad it 's brought down by the most dreaded form of cinematic kryptonite % u2013 the fear of going against an audience 's expectations and giving them the same old superhero song and dance .", "has a promising premise .", "this antihero merely spreads his suckage filmwide .", "even smith needs good material , and it 's fitfully supplied here .", "only half a good movie -- the whole of it becomes confusing , disappointing , and non-sensical .", "MOV is either a brilliant disaster or an often uneven masterwork .", "as daring and audacious as its eponymous hero , venturing into realms of mythos and sentiment with equal dexterity and erudition", "a super-dud .", "best as a comedy and worst when it tries to get serious .", "a promising idea about a superhero with an existential crisis wobbles through wildly misjudged moments and then has something of an existential crisis of its own .", "what does one say about a movie that wants laughs from a shot of one inmate 's head up the derriere of another ?", "it 's a strange feeling to see the summer 's most promising premise self-destruct into something bizarre and unsatisfying , but that is the MOV experience .", "what starts out with a sense of quirky fun loses direction and devolves into a mishmash of story lines .", "initially , it seems like MOV is going to have some fun with the superhero paradigm , but this dark , muddled and tedious noise machine winds up being an inferior copy of that genre 's highlights .", "thanks to smith , it 's a story about movie stars -- and why the multiplex-going humankind needs to have them kicking around , too .", "MOV is the sort of fourth of july cinematic fireworks celebration hollywood dreams about but rarely achieves .", "that pain in your neck is cinematic whiplash .", "this superhero saga fizzles .", "leaving behind the laughs for schmaltz , MOV chickens out at the last minute , lurching toward a cop-out happy ending that gives every indication of having been reshot at the behest of test audiences . well , at least you wo n't be bored .", "the final third seems all shot in a strange blue light that makes even the gorgeous theron look consumptive , and is , in a nutshell , no fun at all . are n't fourth of july movies supposed to be fun ? no fireworks this time , will .", "the promise is dangled yet never developed . rather , the narrative slips into a backstory that alternates between confusing and contradictory .", "why on earth anyone would want to waste a summer matinee afternoon with MOV when they could get wasted with shakes the clown in the dvd privacy of their own lair ?", "while not a total failure , what would the result have been had director peter berg been able decide what he wanted his movie to be ? as it stands , MOV is a wildly uneven ho-hum affair that really should 've have been much more .", "this summer has been defined , over and over , by boys maturing into men ... MOV is by far the most thoughtful exploration of this issue .", "there 's a good chance MOV will still rake in the cash over the next few weeks solely because of smith 's marketability , but as a whole the film is his most deplorable project since 1999 's wild wild west .", "about halfway through the film it shifts gears ... one wishes -lsb- they -rsb- had focused on a single story and saw it through .", "a superhero movie with soul , a magically endowed boozer , and quirky chemistry fueled between those two dramatic heavyweights , will smith and charlize theron , who go at it like hillary and obama duking it out at a presidential primary .", "a peculiar and occasionally charming poke in the ribs of the superman myth .", "as popcorn movies go , this is fleet , funny , and even thoughtful : its central question , nicely underplayed by director peter berg , is why power and altruism never seem to intersect .", "with superhero films as hot in 2008 as psychedelics were in the 1960s , the new blockbuster superhero film MOV fits with the label but without any of the ancestry . the 1983 film the return of captain invincible is flipping in its grave .", "fate , mythology and even racism in america are tossed in to a climax so grim it 's like watching `` men in black '' morph into `` requiem for a dream . '' the movie does n't earn that drama , feeling cobbled together from earlier , less-commercial drafts .", "... where -lsb- director peter -rsb- berg makes it work is by refusing to sacrifice the integrity of his characters for an easy ending .", "MOV is still a lot of fun . will smith remains one of the most likable of movie stars , and he 's a virtuoso of underplayed sarcasm .", "has action , heart , but superhero is an alcoholic .", "the tragedy of `` MOV '' is that will smith is so damn good in it .", "yet because it 's smith , you know that MOV ca n't be all bad , and as the film spends the next hour trying to rehabilitate him , proceedings slowly starts to fall apart .", "john MOV is a black superhero desired and derided by crowds who are informed by spectacles , stereotypes , and fear .", "-lsb- ... -rsb- it 's always nice to see someone revisit christopher reeves ' drunken man of steel act from superman iii .", "if MOV did n't try so hard to be `` edgy '' and `` different '' it could have been a winner . instead with the only villain in the movie being a whiskey bottle it barely registers as a blip on the radar .", "MOV is a mess that is n't even fun to enjoy for its little pleasures .", "flashy and funny , but extremely uneven , this superhero action comedy lets its gifted cast stroll through a series of ill-defined characters" ], "summary": "though it begins with promise , MOV suffers from a flimsy narrative and poor execution .", "id": "770679092" }, { "movie": "family_man", "reviews": [ "mildly entertaining , thanks to cage 's fine work , some romance and humor .", "sure , -lsb- it 's -rsb- pop pabulum -- but is n't that what people want ? no one wants to think too hard at the movies , anyway .", "it 's contrived schmaltz , but it 's well-oiled contrived schmaltz ...", "at times , i wish i had fallen asleep and woke up elsewhere .", "leoni absolutely sparkles .", "while the film fails in many ways to reach a memorable conclusion , it just might carry enough soft-hearted cheer to make a tired old married couple smile on christmas eve .", "too much of the movie is pure formula nonsense .", "the outsize ticky tackiness of jack 's new life has been stitched together out of the broadest possible series of middle american clich\u00e9s .", "the absolute choices it forces on its hapless hero are far too mutually exclusive to be credible .", "it 's the sort of steamroller seasonal entertainment calculated to make us average folks out here feel temporarily warm and happy about our averageness .", "the movie is bogus , but weirdly involving .", "modestly entertains and uplifts us .", "a surprisingly charming fable .", "-lsb- the -rsb- playfully woven combination of cool comedy and realistic romance provides audiences across the board with one of the few films this season that is likely to entertain almost everyone .", "in the end conventional sentiment , rather than any actual morality , is all that the script for the MOV ... has to offer .", "the movie is sweet , light entertainment , but could have been more .", "aimed at the unfussy consumer of christmas schmaltz .", "mostly it 's a reminder of better movies in this genre .", "it seems that every few years the studios release movies that seek to offer christmas magic but end up feeling forlorn and empty .", "not even a sincere and heroic effort by nicolas cage can redeem the film 's essential phoniness .", "yes , this movie is schmaltzy -- but ... so what ? it 's also heartfelt , a great date movie and perfect for the holidays .", "nicolas cage gives a performance that invites audiences to lay cynicism aside .", "the movie has intelligent dialogue and fine lead performances , but it could use a few supporting characters to distract us from the fact that , at every minute , we know exactly what will happen next .", "a romantic fable , which is a polite way of saying it 's full of bull .", "it 's pleasant enough stuff , but lord knows , we 've seen it all before .", "for a holiday movie , it does n't have much about giving or sharing .", "it is leoni 's kate who grounds this enterprise and gives it some soul .", "despite an aura of d\u00e9j\u0155 vu and a too-neat fadeout , this time-warp comedy feels fresh and original , and not a little heartfelt .", "a holiday fable that 's not destined for immortality but goes down more easily than most of the pap hollywood tries to feed us every christmas .", "although the rhythms of the movie directed by brett ratner ... are familiar in terms of the story , cage and leoni make it offbeat .", "even as the writers spin their entertaining suburban legend , there 's a lingering feeling perhaps even they do n't really stand behind the statement they 're trying to make .", "demonios ! , y yo que estaba tan bien en mi soltera !", "cage and leoni are cute together and struggle mightily , but they ca n't overcome this sinking ship of a script by david diamond and david weissman that telegraphs the ending in the first 20 minutes .", "there is not a lot wrong with the MOV , except for an almost total lack of surprise and a nasty attitude toward exactly the people who are supposed to pay money to watch it .", "okay , so this is kinda corny but hey , it 's a christmas movie , what do you expect ? plus , it 's so well done that it does n't matter that it 's formulaic and not very deep .", "i was disappointed with its overly sentimental tone and rather questionable message . are married men with children actually more deserving of happiness than single guys ? according to this movie , yes .", "redeems itself with raw emotion and the evocative force of love .", "a holiday film joe lieberman could love , unembarrassed by its wholesome , sugary pro-family message .", "cage 's delivery of the big final speech is strained and uncomfortable , and the film 's ending is unsatisfying , offering a conflicted message and only a meager chance of hope .", "perfect feel-good christmas-period family entertainment . highly recommended .", "what was once inspirational has become inevitable ; what was once meaningful now reeks of the mundane .", "a real contempt hovers just below ratner 's superficially sympathetic presentation of suburban family life .", "the familiar can be awfully entertaining if it 's done well . and here , for the most part , it is .", "a string of cliches , clearly intended for a season that sells those cliches .", "conjures up only lukewarm family feelings .", "the over-the-top bigness of cage and the understated honesty of leoni refresh this well-worn story .", "an entertaining romantic comedy that delights despite -lrb- or , others may feel , because of -rrb- its high mush quotient .", "an easier movie to tolerate than it should be if , like me , you 're in love with t\u00e9a leoni , who ... rescues the movie from the tar pit of irrelevance .", "a film brimming with good intentions that , unfortunately , lacks conviction .", "has enough moments of veracity and humor to keep it entertaining .", "once we get past the initial appearance , everything about the MOV is recycled .", "it is the peculiar generic cinematic gag gift of the season .", "nothing more , or less , than a cheap , dirty grab at our christmas spirit .", "a warm , glossy holiday fable that hits some surprisingly sweet notes .", "like a pair of comfortable old shoes one wears around the house when no one else is watching . regardless of how those shoes look , they still feel pretty darn good .", "it 's beautifully adorned with two shining ornaments : nicolas cage and tea leoni .", "will undoubtedly run alongside a christmas story on cable stations around the christmas season for years to come as a staple of the season .", "this predictable christmas pudding actually possesses a little flavor , thanks almost entirely to its key performers .", "highly compensated hollywood types who make calculatedly commercial movies are the last folks who should be telling us we 're unworthy , unfulfilled people if we do n't sacrifice everything to raise a family .", "cage and leoni have great chemistry together and little ms. vega is cute as a button .", "for all its obviousness , there is a sweetness in this movie that really got to me .", "like most holiday movies , the MOV is meant to have a very positive message , but it 's a message that is troubling too .", "a pleasant change of pace for both cage and director ratner .", "despicable and insidious", "es de esos filmes que est\u00e1n en el l\u00edmite entre ser considerados como una buena o una malas pel\u00edcula", "slow at times , but never dull . you 'll be thinking a lot on the way home about that special someone who got away , got thrown away , or incarcerated before his time .", "most of the jokes are stale and flat -lrb- new jersey as a concept is not that funny -rrb- , and the ultimate moral in this supposedly hip fairy tale feels like some sort of 1980s yuppie guilt trip .", "exists only to provide middle-class , middle-brow entertainment .", "if a movie is going to operate in such an obvious structure , it should do it well . the MOV does not .", "brett ratner 's often -lrb- surprisingly -rrb- watchable collision of it 's a wonderful life and a christmas carol .", "ratner assembles enough small , bright moments of earnest amusement and sweetness to eke out a victory , thanks largely to talents of cage and leoni .", "it is n't nearly serious -lrb- or entertaining -rrb- enough to even beg for comparison to its forebearers .", "it 's a likeable film .", "if you like feel-good movies that try to uplift and inspire at whatever the cost , then the MOV is an excellent choice , especially as a holiday selection .", "the screenplay is effective enough to get us thinking about a few philosophical issues ... while it tells a worthwhile story .", "what makes this film work so well is two absolutely terrific central performances from leoni and cage .", "nicolas cage is always worth watching , and jack campbell 's changes , until even his wary daughter accepts him , are well developed for most of the way .", "it 's quite a tightrope act -- they manage to both pander and condescend to middle america simultaneously .", "ratner ... mines the story 's comedic and wistful elements effectively while avoiding the potential mush factor .", "rests on its charm , never falling short of pleasant .", "warm and soothing , `` the MOV '' is not a perfect film , but it 's a perfect film for the holiday season .", "the predictability factor did n't spoil our good time . it might yours ... but then , again , it might not .", "perhaps the MOV would be more palatable if it played up on -- or even acknowledged -- its female revenge fantasy aspects .", "try not to throw up as hollywood preaches about the evils of money .", "if it were only predictable , syrupy , and overlong , the MOV might still be worth watching for the appealing performances from leoni and cage .", "o programa ideal para a \u00e9poca do natal .", "thoroughly engaging yet nothing new .", "a series of moments , sentimental and comic , that never do add up to a coherent fable .", "so undernourished and one-dimensional that it begins to drag long before the misty-eyed conclusion .", "... a feel-good romantic comedy with serious overtones that we 've all seen before ... predictable from start to finish .", "despite some predictability and some awkward construction ... the movie is a holiday pleasure .", "i had to laugh as jack experienced it all for the first time . you could tell the audience was laughing because they could identify with it , too .", "it makes the point of demeaning the middle class at every turn .", "it 's reduced a frank capra film to , frankly , crap .", "a veritable glacier of treacle , oozing inexorably on for two hours , gradually swallowing the actors , the screen and the audience as well .", "while it may be wholly unoriginal the MOV is also surprisingly touching and funny .", "a slickly produced slice of sentimental hokum that borrows freely from a half-dozen or so other , better feel-good fantasies .", "why is it that when a film blatantly steals from a classic -- it 's a wonderful life , in this case -- the characters almost never acknowledge it ?", "the movie 's got a big heart , plenty of humor , a dash of romance , a nice score from danny elfman , an interesting story and well-developed characters .", "its sparkling cast and a few inventive riffs on an old outline make this a welcome holiday entertainment .", "ratner , to his credit , gets the job done and makes it bearable .", "the film has so many spiffy individual scenes .", "high on schmaltz and low on real feeling , ratner 's film is a hollow happening that , in more intelligent hands , may have achieved the kind of complexity it strives for .", "the more ` subtle ' and ` understated ' scenes are overplayed , and cage goes so over the top that he seems to be acting in a completely different movie .", "desperately needs a more centered , consistent performance from -lsb- cage -rsb- .", "drags along with not much in the way of spirit .", "the way in which the cast and crew put a fresh spin on it is nothing short of entertaining and quite enjoyable .", "while this surrogate existence is one that the filmmakers encourage jack to accept , it 's also one they repeatedly mock , sending mixed messages about what actually makes living worthwhile .", "holiday moviemaking by the manual .", "ratner probably thought it would be capra-esque , but , really , it 's just boring .", "nicolas cage is at his best coping with crisis situations , even dirty diapers , less comfortable with warm , cuddly moments , and tea leoni is radiant and lovely , breathing life into a role that could have been one-dimensional .", "the best date movie of the year .", "you 'll be land-cruising the kids to gymnastics practice with a smile on your face and a song in your heart , even as selected neurons short-circuit , snap , sizzle and leave the building with elvis .", "a perfect film for the christmas season , its messages about the meaning of success and the importance of family is presented with straightforward and genuine warmth .", "aside from the premise , the film is not likely to become a perennial christmas mainstay , due to its uneven tone and flawed .", "one of the few films this season able to offer something likely to entertain almost everyone .", "the makers of the MOV were trying to do a kind of reverse it 's a wonderful life without ever realizing that it does n't work on paper , much less on the screen .", "ratner is n't a capable enough director to work the alchemy needed to make this cheese into gold .", "leoni is a revelation . vibrant and gorgeous , she plays her role of the determined mother in love with teasing , salty charm , providing just enough grit to save the film from ratner 's slushy direction .", "its emotional core makes it easy to appreciate as a classical -lrb- if not classic -rrb- entertainment .", "pleasant movie despite some predictability .", "i voted for the happy ending , thusly , my enjoyment was diminished .", "if you 're looking for a heartfelt , feel-good holiday movie , just give in and enjoy .", "a hunk of sentimental fluff that boasts an often-overstated performance by cage and an annoying turn by leoni .", "it 's rare that an american movie lets slip such a snobbish distaste for the humdrum lives of its blue-collar audience base , but of course it does n't last ." ], "summary": "despite good performances by cage and especially by leoni , the MOV is too predictable and derivative to add anything new to the christmas genre . also , it sinks under its sentimentality .", "id": "10203" }, { "movie": "im_going_home", "reviews": [ "a touching drama about old age and grief with a tour de force performance by michel piccoli .", "speaks eloquently about the symbiotic relationship between art and life .", "this is one of oliveira 's most engaging , most accessible films to date .", "wonderful performances and beautiful camera work .", "a masterful film from a master filmmaker , unique in its deceptive grimness , compelling in its fatalist worldview .", "it will break your heart .", "a different movie -- sometimes tedious -- by a director many viewers would like to skip but film buffs should get to know .", "the movie is a trove of delights .", "a poignant , artfully crafted meditation on mortality .", "oliveira trusts the intelligence of his audience ... in the life of the city he suggests the ongoing life of humanity , the context in which individual mortality must be contemplated .", "watching this gentle , mesmerizing portrait of a man coming to terms with time , you barely realize your mind is being blown .", "while this gentle and affecting melodrama will have luvvies in raptures , it 's far too slight and introspective to appeal to anything wider than a niche audience .", "a miraculous movie , i 'm going home is so slight , yet overflows with wisdom and emotion .", "piccoli is superb as an aging actor named gilbert valence .", "few films seem so wise and knowing about the fact of age and the approach of the end .", "a work of devastating simplicity and poetic tact and grace .", "escaping the studio , piccoli is warmly affecting and so is this adroitly minimalist movie .", "piccoli gives a superb performance full of deep feeling .", "one of the greatest films i 've ever seen .", "subtly powerful .", "ample proof of the director 's great wit and wisdom .", "elliptical as it is perceptive .", "stylistically adventurous .", "a minor film with major pleasures from portuguese master manoel de oliviera ...", "the kind of quiet masterpiece that fully registers only after you 've seen it .", "an understated film that touches on greatness .", "a realistic look at the ways in which mortality plays into the conscious and subconscious plans of the living", "a rarity , a film about old age that is neither a celebration or lament of of lost youth , nor an anticipation of impending death , but simply an unsentimental meditation on the ambiguous present , on aimlessness , isolation , and infirmity .", "there 's something poignant about an artist of 90-plus years taking the effort to share his impressions of life and loss and time and art with us .", "like a precious and finely cut diamond , magnificent to behold in its sparkling beauty yet in reality it 's one tough rock .", "gives you the steady pulse of life in a beautiful city viewed through the eyes of a character who , in spite of tragic loss and increasing decrepitude , knows in his bones that he is one of the luckiest men alive .", "oliveira seems to pursue silent film representation with every mournful composition .", "michel piccoli 's moving performance is this films reason for being .", "piccoli 's performance is amazing , yes , but the symbols of loss and denial and life-at-arm 's - length in the film seem irritatingly transparent .", "if that old bromide about the universal power of simple storytelling seems to bear repeating , it 's because every powerful story simply told seems new in the telling .", "it reaffirms life as it looks in the face of death .", "at the film 's centre is a precisely layered performance by an actor in his mid-seventies , michel piccoli .", "de oliveira creates an emotionally rich , poetically plump and visually fulsome , but never showy , film whose bittersweet themes are reinforced and brilliantly personified by michel piccoli .", "what a role this is for piccoli , who plays the hubristic king , the bereaved husband , the grand artist , in tones that range from thunder to whisper .", "in i 'm going home , de oliveira , as alive as any filmmaker , captures the way that tragedy can eat away at even those who 've long outlived it .", "de oliveira gives us a witty , moving , yet unsentimental study of mortality that ranks among the best work of his career .", "judging from the strength of this superbly enigmatic film , oliveira himself seems far from ready to go home .", "ostensibly pedestrian in its depiction of valence 's foibles on and off stage , the film studiously avoids cinematic and emotional grandstanding in favor of extremely subtle but generally effective portraiture .", "if it seems like a minor miracle that its septuagenarian star is young enough to be the nonagenarian filmmaker 's son , more incredible still are the clear-eyed boldness and quiet irony with which actor and director take on life 's urgent questions .", "a film of precious increments artfully camouflaged as everyday activities .", "greets the inevitability of death with remarkable candor and depth .", "an old man 's film in terms of its subject , star and protagonist , 76-year-old michel piccoli , but not in terms of its rigorous style or its austere denial of sentimentality and self-pity .", "de oliveira seems not only to have read john berger 's famous essay on looking , but also to have taken it as his personal instruction manual for filmmaking ." ], "summary": "i 'm going home is a masterfully subtle and poignant exploration of mortality .", "id": "21421" }, { "movie": "martyrs", "reviews": [ "MOV is an unforgettable -lrb- not necessarily a good thing -rrb- endurance test of a movie that provides a quasi-philosophical spin on the torture porn genre .", "the stylishly mounted first half zips along at a rate of knots while the gruesome make-up work will keep your gag reflex in violent spasm .", "young women are brutalised to a place beyond pain , as part of an eschatological experiment . you really do n't need to see this .", "you may well feel in need of a shower after sitting through MOV , a slick essay in gallic torture porn .", "MOV is a five star example of what modern horror can do , or a one star mugging of all that is decent . forgive us if we go with the former .", "` MOV ' is initially shocking and strong , but eventually falls apart once we are informed about what the hell is going on .", "arthouse ? grindhouse ? the passion of joan of arc : unrated edition ? defying all boundaries , MOV relentlessly dishes the visceral pain and emerges as a work of not just ceaseless terror but also gravity and beauty .", "it will most definitely divide audiences , having already done so all over the world . but laugier has contributed a brave , brutal and original horror film for all to witness .", "o inquieto roteiro , que parece mudar sua trama de dire\u0437\u0433o a cada 20 minutos , acaba fornecendo uma justificativa narrativa intrigante para toda a pavorosa viol\u043ancia que testemunhamos , embasando seu lado gore em uma tem\u0431tica metaf\u043dsica surpreendente .", "despite fancy writing , it 's just another gore porn flick , out to shock for the hell of it and designed for loners who attend film festivals .", "film should score ok with hardcore gore fans , but others will expect martyrdom for sticking it out until the end .", "MOV is this year 's inside , both films are legendary in their own right ... the only negative thing about laugier 's film is that once you see it , you 'll never be able to see it for the first time ever again ...", "you do n't have to be catholic to shudder at pascal laugier 's bitterly apocalyptic MOV , but it helps .", "MOV se veut un film vicieux qui ose \u00e9norm\u00e9ment . parfois m\u0119me trop , d'ailleurs .", "... ultimately comes off as an unusually provocative horror effort that 's sure to leave viewers thinking and talking about it long after the end credits have rolled .", "french horror cinema that does n't shy away from the rough stuff and aims to bring a few extra layers to the typically anemic slash-and-smash concept .", "a sadistic , religiose french horror movie .", "the air of pretentiousness and the whiff of lesbian chic suggest that the bunch of nihilists who produced this garbage will claim something for it . all it really demonstrates is that there is something seriously rotten in the state of france .", "brutally well-conceived ... for about 40 minutes , and then `` MOV '' flips on its own bloody axis and falls apart , existentially .", "MOV is a groundbreaking work - it challenges the audience to endure heinous acts yet to emerge spiritually cleansed ; to witness man 's willingness to abuse , degrade and manipulate , yet leave the theatre more enamoured with humanity than ever .", "it turns out to be concerned precisely with the nature and reception of extremity , posing uncomfortable questions about what it is that one really seeks in choosing to ` witness ' scenes of horrific human abjection .", "some call it torture porn , others might call it aggressive moralising , more still have say it 's boring and pointless . in my view this level of dissent marks it as worthwhile .", "ultimately a very off-putting one-trick pony", "perhaps more than any other horror film , MOV demonstrates the range of the genre 's capabilities to find ways to excite , provoke , and disturb us .", "MOV marks new ground in the horror genre - just do n't take that as a sign it 's worth your time .", "MOV is an absolute recommend , but only to those who are willing to accept the film on its own uncompromising terms . all others are advised to stay well clear away ." ], "summary": "a real polarising movie , this gallic torture-porn is graphic , brutal , nasty and gruesome and not to everyone 's taste .", "id": "770783658" }, { "movie": "clerks_2", "reviews": [ "clerks ii 's sound look at stunted growth does n't get around that these personalities are less likable in their 30s than in their 20s .", "it has a more authentic everyday feel than a lot of movies . but it 's also very talky and philosophical for a comedy , which would be okay , except the philosophy is kind of shallow .", "it 's a horrible sequel , on par with , say , caddyshack ii in terms of desperation and comic failure .", "... lewdness for lewdness sake ...", "smith has nothing original left to say and no original ways left to say it .", "ultimately , smith finally achieves that perfect balance between humor and heart that he 's been dancing towards with all his films .", "even as the lone wolf reviewer who considers jay and silent bob strike back a guilty pleasure of the most shameless order , it saddens me that i ca n't offer kevin smith 's latest jersey hurl similar props .", "simply a pretty darn good , utterly and honestly raunchy comedy with a heart like minnie the moocher 's -- as big as a whale .", "most of the dialogue is geared towards young teenagers who mindlessly argue about things that really do n't matter in real life .", "i ca n't say i 've spent the last dozen years desperate to catch up with these guys . but it 's nice to have them around again .", "a tender , scabrous and very , very funny comedy that picks up 12 years after the original .", "the most hilarious , emotionally honest and poetic -lrb- yes , poetic -rrb- film kevin smith has ever made .", "smith 's hyperliterate lead-assed wiseacres deserve their place in indie-movie history , no doubt , but when even the fart jokes fail to pop , it may be time to draw the curtain .", "when film theorists of the future take stock of kevin smith 's oeuvre , here 's hoping clerks ii is remembered as the worthless travesty that cemented the auteur 's irrelevancy .", "despite not achieving the level of the original ... this is the most amusing comedy to arrive in months .", "so is clerks ii as good as its predecessor ? not as good , but pretty doggoned close -lrb- or as randal would say , pretty @ % $ # & close -rrb- .", "what was scabrously funny and charmingly amateurish in the 1994 black-and-white clerks is now less so in the color bigger-budgeted sequel , a mediocre follow-up to a zeitgeist film that was a personal-aesthetic manifesto .", "smith 's heart is in it , but it 's sort of a broken heart now ; clerks ii feels as though it was made by a man who needs a change but is n't permitted to make one .", "lacking the grubby authenticity of its predecessor , the movie feels clueless and out of touch . sometimes you ca n't go home again .", "wickedly irreverent and bone-tickling funny .", "while the film is n't nearly his best , it 's undeniable fun to see the clerks ranting again and rattling off the kind of raunchy , spot-on observations only smith could think up .", "would n't it have been nice just to wonder whatever happened to dante and randal ? instead , clerks ii gives us answers .", "this joyous jeer-athon , filled with...dirty-word laden depth and instantly quotable moments ... is a love letter to the unbridled ecstasy in speaking one 's mind .", "randal and dante were funny 12 years ago ; now they look and sound like myspace predators .", "the adolescent vulgarities are just a smokescreen for a more serious discussion of a kind of mid-life crisis .", "i loved `` clerks '' and i was reluctant to see `` clerks ii , '' but smith manages to revisit his stomping grounds in genuine sophomoric fashion , while leaving it with a nostalgic maturity at the same time .", "clerks ii strikes its deepest chords when it appeals to the emotional security of a passionately provincial status quo .", "clerks ii is just as raucous , rude , crude , vulgar , random , and shockingly funny as you would expect , but it is also surprisingly moving at times .", "you ca n't go home again . but it sure is nice to visit .", "the mildest and sweetest of the jay and silent bob canon .", "clerks ii would make for an appropriate end to smith 's lackluster career .", "has kevin smith gone soft ?", "ok , kevin smith . all is forgiven . obviously , jersey girl was just a silly aberration . you not only have not lost your comedic touch -- you 've taken it to new heights .", "kevin smith 's sequel to his 1994 indie classic about two aimless new jersey buddies is as dead-end as their jobs .", "funny , flip , frequently shocking , sometimes appalling , and always engaging .", "the point of clerks , either number , is talk -- speedy , competitive , clever banter that recalls , in its profane way , the rhythms of old ben hecht comedies .", "just as clerks was smith 's statement of misspent youth , clerks ii is his declaration that your 30s is when you have to find your path and start moving .", "... clerks ii is mostly appealing in its familiarity , from the rat-a-tat cussing to the cameos from smith 's repertory company to the extended riffing on star wars and geek culture .", "the film 's loose structure incorporates a little bit of everything ... about the only thing conspicuously absent is political correctness .", "has a huge been-there-done-that factor as smith tries to recreate the magic of the original", "yes , it 's clunky , silly and often downright obscene . but there 's a depth of character that makes it well worth seeing .", "smith 's politically incorrect references are never malicious or fueled by anger .", "while the film is rude and raucous throughout , it does n't have a bad bone in its body , providing a joyous , celebratory swansong for the beloved characters .", "despite a handful of great jokes , this is ultimately disappointing - it 's badly plotted , badly acted and occasionally downright embarrassing .", "the laughs are still there .", "... as humorous as diphtheria .", "a film with both fart and heart , and is highly recommended for the willing and able .", "the duds-to-gags ratio is way too high and the general aesthetic -lrb- visual and verbal -rrb- way too crummy .", "... less profound than it is uneven , an intermittently satisfying mix .", "raunch only works well if there is an undercurrent of substance at hand to lift the bottom feeding . `` clerks ii '' has no problem plunging into its messy depths while also , somehow , generating a groundswell of affection for its messy characters .", "while jay has always introduced silent bob as his `` hetero life mate , '' it is actually randall that is connected to dante . it 's obvious that he will miss his friend , and anderson makes us miss him too .", "... probably the funniest film smith has done since the original - it 's chock full of childish humour and witty observations on pop-culture - but there 's something real beneath all of that as well . something , dare it be said , touching .", "the emetic outpouring of buddy love in the last reel deserves the adults-only certificate that the rest narrowly escapes .", "what 's truly unforgivable is the willful regression", "more empire than jedi .", "notably dubbed as the `` gayest film ever '' when it premiered at cannes , `` clerks ii '' is nonetheless a slight improvement on smith 's original film .", "clerks ii will resonate with viewers in smith 's age range -lrb- mid-thirties -rrb- in a way that goes beyond comedy .", "smith 's `` edge '' is noticeably mia in his cash-in-er-sequel , and it shows painfully .", "smith 's attempt to get all introspective about growing up yields a plot that is at core rather mawkish and cliched - but when it comes to writing hilariously juvenile lines , he still has the old magic .", "deliberately disgusting , scatological , profane and vulgar , which makes this critic a bit embarrassed to admit that he found himself frequently laughing out loud at such offensive and obscene material .", "as long as all easily offended souls stay away from clerks ii , everyone ought to be happy .", "you have to wonder how long smith plans to hang out in front of the big-screen quick stop , telling the same kind of jokes and copping the same old attitudes .", "clerks ii is not a return to the roots . it 's just a cartoonish trip in the way-back machine outfitted with a questionable moral .", "clerks ii is dumb . clerks ii is brilliant . clerks ii is a rehash . clerks ii is surprisingly fresh . clerks ii will disappoint you at the same time that it keeps you fully entertained .", "clerks ii repeats all the charms and flaws of the original with a far less forgivable outcome , since smith is now in a position to do far better .", "smith may be an acquired taste , but clerks ii is his most consistently funny film since the first clerks , a dozen years ago .", "for casual fans of writer-director kevin smith , his new film , clerks ii , feels a little like the new pirates of the caribbean -- a similar wet fizzle of a sequel for sequel 's sake -- but what do we know ?", "clerks ii is neither the best nor the worst installment in smith 's jersey-centric ` askewniverse , ' but fans will find plenty to feed their obsession .", "if you 're a fan of clerks ... then you 'll probably want to see clerks ii .", "a dozen years later , clerks ii has a much higher budget -- but , happily , the same snarky attitude and snappy slacker repartee .", "what makes clerks ii both winning and -lrb- somewhat unexpectedly -rrb- moving is its fidelity to the original clerks ethic of hanging out , talking trash and refusing all worldly ambition .", "i do n't think smith could have made a worse movie if he tried , and keep in mind , i 've seen jersey girl .", "unless you 're a die-hard fan who hangs on smith 's every word -lrb- or silent bob 's every expression -rrb- , the proper response to clerks ii is ` no sale . '", "a big fat value meal stuffed with profane ravings , in-joke movie geekery , and virtually non-stop raunch -- but somewhere in act iii , MOV also gets a little ... sweet . and it actually works .", "for a guy who will evermore be associated with slackers , kevin smith is quite the dynamo .", "clerks ii finds smith up to the profane , raunchy , profoundly humanist mischief of which he alone is the master .", "here the storytelling , smith 's great strength , is 90 percent riff and 10 percent theme . should n't the characters be more memorable than the punch lines ?", "juvenile ? yes . silly ? yes . but it 's also often hilarious .", "the slackers of clerks have lost their wiseass flannel-shirted charm in kevin smith 's feeble attempt to translate his day-in-the-life-of '90s cult film to 2006 .", "clerks ii is more sentimental and ruder than its predecessor , though its brand of raunch tends to curdle halfway out of the characters ' mouths .", "it 's easy to rag on clerks ii for all the same reasons critics bag all of smith 's movies , but it 's impossible to deny the fun that clerks ii ultimately is .", "clerks ii brings smith back to his roots , and his strengths as a writer-director .", "clerks ii will find kevin smith 's detractors saying that the filmmaker simply regurgitates the past , while his loyal fan base will applaud his return to the tried and true .", "smith wo n't win any new converts with clerks ii , but he 'll satisfy the devoted core audience .", "this movie put a broad smile on my face , virtually from the start .", "makes a surprisingly convincing case for dante and randal as characters worthy of a revisit once a decade .", "another raunchily funny , mildly sad and brutally candid purging of -lsb- smith 's -rsb- demons and dreams .", "with smith , you have to take the crass with the inspired , but unlike quentin tarantino , smith has something to say . sometimes it 's worth sitting through a ton of sick jokes to hear it . clerks ii is one of those times .", "i like trashy humor , but there is not much here to chuckle at .", "smith 's commentary track for the new `` road house '' dvd is riotous -- it 's got more laughs than his past two films combined .", "all is well with the clerks world when these stoners take the screen ... and prove that guys can grow old and stay immature forever .", "it 's funny and poignant and not for the easily offended .", "whatever your expectations , they will almost certainly be exceeded by smith 's hilarious and creative return to low-budget cinema .", "they say you ca n't go home again , but writer-director kevin smith did n't get the memo .", "while it 's the sadness of the aging geek that resonates most potently throughout clerks ii , the movie itself is far too glib to let anything that bleak get close enough to the surface to bubble over and stain the counter .", "frankly , there 's something more than a little sad about the spectacle of men blowing through their thirties with the same aimless torpor they brought to bear on their twenties : the future is catching up to dante and randal , and it 's not a pretty sight .", "although it has , hands down , the single funniest scene of the summer , clerks ii is a roadside bomb in the culture war .", "though it will be of little interest to anyone who has never seen its predecessor , clerks ii should delight smith 's fans .", "clerks ii is as insightful a comedy about reluctantly growing up in modern-day america as you 're likely to see this year . attend it with your best friend from childhood , even if his name 's dupree .", "clerks ii is neither awful enough to go berserk about , nor good enough to recommend , even to hardcore cultists .", "not just an all-around growth experience for kevin smith and his characters but a film that is in several ways actually better than the original .", "but smith 's also infused clerks ii with an unexpected amount of heart and sweetness , resulting in an emotional payoff that one would never have anticipated from the filmmaker .", "kevin smith has done it again . clerks ii is his temple of doom ... the emotional parts of clerks ii are like the satanic parts of temple of doom . i mean that in the most positive way .", "smith manages to navigate these rather traditional plot threads with a kind of irreverent glee , splashing into them like a kid into a mud puddle .", "a bit warm , fuzzy , and soft ... it forms the surprising heart of an outwardly bawdy film .", "... has the most hearty laughs of any film this year , and turns out to be a fitting and surprisingly touching ode to thirtysomething underachievers .", "if you go in simply expecting the movie to be better than jersey girl , you 're not likely to be disappointed -- but you wo n't be blown away , either .", "when it 's on , it 's really on : sharp , funny and geeky , just like you remember .", "clerks ii has at last put kevin smith on my radar .", "twelve years after kevin smith arrived on the film scene with the profane and hilarious clerks , he returns with a bookend sequel which shows he 's grown up as well .", "there is grist for comedy there , of course , though i do n't know if anything smith conjures -lrb- watch out for the promiscuous donkey -rrb- , is quite as funny as seeing dante and randal -lrb- jeff anderson -rrb- aged and fattened some 12 years .", "with apologies to the much discussed donkey show , perhaps best among the random bits is a rant , delivered by randal , about reclaiming the phrase `` porch monkey . ''", "clerks ii is a perfect example of what a sequel should be . it takes characters and situations that were created in the original , then expands and deepens them .", "some gags are hilarious , others flat , but the scatological mood is worth the visit .", "not that butch and sundance -lrb- or even harold and kumar -rrb- are going to sweat their place in the buddy movie hall of fame .", "what -lsb- smith -rsb- knows , better than anyone out there , is how rudely funny and deliriously self-deluding those types can be .", "kevin smith proves that the combination of minimum-wage misery and vivid vulgarity still packs a punch , as long as it 's done right .", "-lsb- dante and randal -rsb- are still minimum-wage slaves working in the service industry , where ignoring and abusing the customer is second nature , and they are still as profane , politically incorrect , and vulgar as ever . it 's a beautiful thing .", "if you laughed a lot at the irreverence and wackiness of clerks , ditto clerks ii . is n't that 's all you can ask of a sequel ?", "though clerks ii is in color , the acting is just as amateurish and the directing just as awkward as the black-and-white original . dawson gives the only competent performance , and only becky and the abused donkey are sympathetic characters .", "... this is a solid movie with laughs galore , pop-culture references galore , vulgarity and sexual connotations galore and even a cute romance ...", "if clerks ii does n't have quite the scabrous kick of its predecessor , the chance to revisit a classic premise must have renewed the writer in smith , whose banter here often achieves a sharpness and quality .", "smith is able to revert to his low-budget origins and strike a genuine sequel .", "fans of the original movie will applaud this resumption of their antiheroes ' insulting customer service and often outrageously frank gab about life and sex .", "somewhere underneath the filth , clerks ii is really a very sweet movie about growing up .", "-lrb- kevin smith -rrb- fans young , old , and ten thousand strong on myspace -lrb- yes , they 're listed after the credits -rrb- will get every penny 's worth ...", "my only lingering question is this : is the ending a serious and legit scene of true male bonding , or is it another ***** slap at the lord of the rings ' suspiciously effeminate d\u00e9nouement ?", "wonderfully oddball", "-lsb- director/writer kevin -rsb- smith is out to shock , titillate and entertain you and pretty much succeeds .", "kevin smith has grown up , even if his films have n't . that might explain why clerks ii ca n't quite decide how old it wants to act .", "if you 're looking for the funny kevin smith more than you are the sappy kevin smith , you should n't be disappointed .", "... more of the same , with just a hint of soul searching between the pop-culture wrestling matches and scatological tirades .", "clerks ii is much better than most might expect , a sign that the slacker flag may be slightly older and slightly wiser , but is still flying high .", "the patchy work of a director stuck in an uncomfortable purgatory between his old-school comedic crassness and newfound dramatic mushiness .", "i 'm a kevin smith fan , but these characters are getting tired . he needs some new material , because he 's done all he can do -lrb- and more -rrb- with this bunch .", "kevin smith comes full circle and finds closure ... often showing a refreshing , uncharacteristic maturity .", "the question to be answered is : is clerks ii something that is watchable for those who are unfamiliar with kevin smith `` askewniverse ? '' no .", "it 's hard to believe anyone could actually be offended by the material . still , it 's not for everyone and the film is better off without those sticks in the mud .", "clerks ii is still a treat , and should be appreciated as one of the few films to take the idea of leaving your extended adolescence behind with respect and dignity , even if it 's sandwiched between sequences of a man having sex with his donkey .", "-lsb- smith -rsb- has found a way to connect to an audience that prizes his scruffy sensibility and geek love . this film is evidence that he loves them back .", "the turning point is dante 's serious conversation with becky about his future plans . from there , the movie finds its narrative center and becomes a real story about real people and , suddenly , you find you even care about randal .", "the movie feels as if smith the writer-director is saying farewell to some old friends , that it is time to move on to other adventures and pack away those childish things .", "tasteless , toxic re-hash of the original", "some very funny stuff , but also a lot of crass , juvenile humor , profanity , bad acting and a desire to shock rather than to entertain .", "just like the new star wars trilogy before it , my youth has been raped once more by another large man sporting a beard . thankfully this one does n't wear flannel .", "smith , an inherent optimist , has made a movie full of crude humor that also manages to explore the enduring qualities of friendship .", "i like these characters a lot .", "although it 's as funny as any movie this summer , clerks ii has to struggle to achieve the level of universality that the original `` clerks '' seemed to hit effortlessly .", "kevin smith heads back behind the counter for the amusing but largely unnecessary sequel to his 1994 hit .", "skewers political correctness within a profane framework that unwaveringly champions middle class values with an infectious verve", "smith still has nothing to say , at least nothing printable , either as writer/director or as the dumb -lrb- as opposed to dumber -rrb- half of jay and silent bob .", "` today is the first day of the rest of our lives , ' says randal , but ` clerks ii ' suggests withdrawal rather than momentum .", "a more than worthy display of smith 's ear for dialogue , pop-culture intelligence , and ability to push the envelope of decency to the breaking point , and , yes , it is utterly hilarious in an alternately gut-busting and wry sort of way ." ], "summary": "clerks ii dishes up much of the graphic humor and some of the insight that made the 1994 original a cult hit .", "id": "190815877" }, { "movie": "crow_the_city_of_angels", "reviews": [ "why did n't the producers save all the money they spent on these great sets and brilliant special effects for a script worthy of them ?", "fans of both o'barr 's source inspiration and brandon lee 's initial embodiment may want to nit-pick , but this crow has something to crow about .", "vincent perez is game , but he -- nor anyone involved in this sloppy production -- can erase the fond memories of the late brandon lee .", "i highly recommend watching the original , instead of this dud .", "looks pretty , but bad scripting makes this an incoherent sequel to the goth classic /", "worst of the crow franchise , which should have ended with brandon lee and the entertaining first film .", "memo to edward r. pressman : gloomy goth teens like the romeo and juliet stuff , not parental devotion from beyond the grave .", "even for teens hooked on the grandiloquence of death-metal masochism , the movie may seem closer to an endless sunday in church .", "although the setting has moved from detroit to la , the stylised urban wasteland , morbid atmosphere and basic plot remain the same .", "stunningly awful .", "this dark and brooding sequel is an absolute pain to watch .", "suffice to say , when people think of the moribund , brooding eric draven , they think of brandon lee , and this sequel is n't going to change that one iota .", "substitutes brutal violence and gore for character development , probably hoping audiences wo n't notice what a confusing nightmare this whole mess really is .", "this is a terrific debut for pope , and city of angels is the perfect antidote to the increasingly fluffy batman films .", "what really stymies this sequel is the lack of the melancholic air of loss and mourning that bolstered the cartoon histrionics of the original .", "a pseudo-spiritual rock video for the symbolically challenged .", "one of the year 's most grueling cinematic ordeals .", "the city of overacting , the city of bad writing and the city of truly dreadful sequels .", "more than anything i 've seen from hollywood lately , city of angels smacks baldly of product -- it 's a movie with a lousy script but a great look .", "comes across as a scattershot video with corny and contrived action scenes .", "little more than a subpar remake of the first outing .", "utterly devoid of energy and shock value .", "despite poetic overtones , this film is a hack job -- an overlit , underdirected , barely scripted longform music video celebrating violence and bastard amber gel .", "it verges on the misanthropic and necrophiliac ; more in love with the absence of characters , their demise , than with flesh and blood ." ], "summary": "the crow : city of angels is a sloppy pretender that captures neither the mood nor energy of the original .", "id": "16817" }, { "movie": "playtime", "reviews": [ "my all-time favorite movie , this 1967 french comedy by actor-director jacques tati almost certainly has the most intricately designed mise en scene in all of cinema .", "one of cinema 's truly unique visions ... animated with a new kind of screen life .", "sure , tati 's script may have been small , but there 's such depth of content in each setup .", "utterly unconventional and strikingly unique ; it begs not to be watched in the same manner as a conventional narrative film . like a great painting , it is meant to be savored , pored over , observed from different angles and revisited in time . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "an extraordinary combination of observational comedy and technical virtuosity .", "jacques tati 's most brilliant film , a bracing reminder in this all-too-lazy era that films can occasionally achieve the status of art .", "comic choreography , nimble filmmaking and trenchant jokes . a masterpiece .", "a film comedy directed with the grace of a ballet , the painstaking detail of an action painting and the affection of a love song ...", "comedy has rarely been so intricate , incisive and inspired .", "for this remarkable 1967 comedy about man and his modern world , jacques tati attempted nothing less than a complete reworking of the conventional notions of montage and , amazingly , he succeeded .", "for all the overweening ambition there 's an intimate charm about it ...", "MOV ... is ... a minor entry in 1960s international cinema , and yet it 's also one of the era 's great films ,", "jacques tati 's 1967 masterpiece still holds up as a feast of subtle sight gags , playful noise and , above all , visual wonders .", "MOV is a work of unparalleled genius .", "it took jacques tati close to ten years to realise his greatest achievement , but it left him virtually broke . no wonder .", "for my money MOV is the greatest film ever made .", "tati 's despair is modulated by a sense of wonder .", "jacques tati 's MOV is an astringent antidote to paris movies that are as sickly as macaroons and stuffed with views of the eiffel tower by night .", "this film delivers exactly what its title promises . it 's a panoramic frenzy of elaborate sights and sound design .", "tati is constantly fiddling with his images , constructing sets and placing his camera in exactly the right place to execute a visual transformation of space .", "simple , yet profound , observations of human life in the increasingly alienating modern world", "one of those rare films that has earned a following through its architecture", "MOV is an adamant vision whose failure is integral to its philosophy . it is a befitting fate that tati 's art was not endorsed by popularity .", "it 's much like a silent movie , following in the giant footsteps of chaplin and keaton .", "MOV is a peculiar , mysterious , magical film .", "-lsb- MOV -rsb- is so richly conceived and choreographed that its lack of a plot is compensated by a wealth of memorable incidents , sight gags , gestures and satiric notions .", "` it is a new way of seeing the world around us , both life affirming in its vision and brilliant in its satire '", "with MOV 's monumental decor and complex choreographed gags taking place simultaneously in a constantly mutating space , tati explored the possibilities of 70 mm as they had never been utilized before .", "tati mimics american idealism with the tour bus women 's ` golly-gee , wow ! ' attitude , and is n't any easier on the french 's to-do , prim-and-proper persona .", "... recreates a supposedly perfect metropolis and then watches as it comes undone by man 's inherent folly .", "the setting is a relative of metropolis and blade runner , its fictional urban landscape brilliantly representing problems of modern life through steel and glass .", "tati 's attempt to answer this question : in the midst of an increasingly impersonal world , how do we keep our humanity ?", "bravo , m. hulot ! -lrb- and watch that umbrella ! -rrb- .", "his mechanical monsters are more annoying than harmful and the beings who control and are controlled by them are not villains and victims but , invariably , innocents as guileless as they are hapless .", "-lsb- MOV -rsb- leaves you smiling and feeling good about the way we humans have of demolishing order wherever we go .", "at a time when most comedies seem created for knuckle-trailing sensibilities , we can use as much sophistication as we can get .", "pic takes to the 70 mm process with an extraordinary impressionistic outdoor set of a new paris , and is an observant romp during a one-day stay of a group of tourists ." ], "summary": "a remarkable achievement , MOV 's packs every scene with sight gags and characters that both celebrates and satirizes the urbanization of modern life .", "id": "20767" }, { "movie": "stranger_than_fiction", "reviews": [ "the place where the film runs into problems is in trying to decide , like harold , as to whether or not it is a comedy or a tragedy . as we know , comedy sells much better and that 's the direction the film leans .", "MOV is not a fluff film . far from it . literate and engaging , it may parade around in nonsensical clothes , but just scratch the surface and a vast reservoir of post-modern existentialism is revealed .", "the movie\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- s unforgivable logical flaws and gummy platitudes don\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- t sink it ... thanks to ferrell\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- s fine and humane performance .", "the actors and the filmmakers all take a more restrained approach than you might expect , keeping the humor gentle , and the jokes mostly as literary as the premise .", "MOV never rises above its eye-catching premise , ending up as nothing more than a great idea with absolutely nowhere to go .", "no es ni una comedia , ni una tragedia , ni una historia de amor , ni una f\u00e1bula . es ni m\u00e1s ni menos que una idea original mal desarrollada , que no entretiene lo suficiente y que conduce a ninguna parte .", "a literate , literary film with a hollywood high-concept hitch .", "though there are enough interesting moments to keep it refreshing , mr. helm 's script never rises above its conceit to reach the giddy charlie kaufman heights to which it aspires .", "MOV has a self-regard that can grate , but ferrell and thompson give winning performances that suggest the film 's aim is true .", "an endearing comedy about the spiritual transformation of a rigid , shy , and lonely i.r.s. agent whose life is upended by forces beyond his control .", "MOV might be film , but it moves like a novel : a literate , unhurried tale marked by softly wrought reflections on the self-made life .", "so , in lieu of the usual cookie-cutter movie , we at least get the cookie itself , a nice-light treat .", "forster 's original serio-comedy , in the vein of kaufman - jonze meta-narrative cinema , is an existential yet heartfelt film about creators and their characters , life and death , and even taxes , inviting the audience to participate in the filmmaking itself", "the picture pleases while remaining unchallenging to a broad audience .", "MOV would be pretty close to a perfect movie if the ending were n't so weak . actually , it 's still pretty satisfying , but there is a perfect ending out there that surely occurred to helm , but it is missing in action .", "willfully eccentric , odd in tone , it is an english major 's comedy , a wry exploration of plot , narrative , character and a writer 's imprint on her or his work .", "i loved the little schematic diagrams that track harold 's too-linear existence . zach helm 's script is very funny and occasionally shocking .", "it seems like the screenwriter may have suffered a shortage of ideas and remedied the problem by watching charlie kaufman films .", "with its musings on free will and god , the story may not be original , but caring about its hero is automatic for the audience . that 's more than most movies can say .", "it has a nifty premise and outstanding performances from ferrell , as the protagonist-in-progress , and emma thompson , as his blocked creator .", "MOV may not be the typical crowd-pleaser , but it 's a sweet , funny , intelligent film that showcases just how much ferrell can do , even when he 's doing less .", "MOV is odd and eccentric , but in the end it finds its heart . after all , if there 's hope for a drone like harold crick , there 's hope for all of us .", "a sharply clever script , witty direction and terrific performances across the board .", "brilliantly written , thoughtful and frequently hilarious comedy with impressive direction and terrific performances from the entire cast .", "what starts out as a complex , intriguing movie turns stale quickly .", "it could have been great . but it 's just okay .", "some of will ferrell 's biggest fans might find it overly tame and subtle , but it 's interesting , enjoyable and a revelation to see he can keep his pants on and still entertain .", "forster lards over his whimsically feeble film with sentimentality .", "suggests how cleverness can suffocate people", "`` MOV '' is a sterile and pedantic comedy that tells much more than it shows .", "inventively inverting `` adaptation . 's ' '' anxiety into light romance , `` fiction '' is one of the most intelligent , lively , charming and beguiling concept comedies since `` groundhog day '' and a perfect seriocomic splinter of will ferrell 's big-baby shtick .", "touching dramedy is heavy ; wo n't interest most kids .", "`` it 's not the best piece of english literature of the last ten years , '' dustin hoffman says of emma thompson 's newest novel , `` but it 's not bad . '' that just about sums up MOV , too .", "intriguing possibilities , except helm and forster are n't quite kaufman and jonze . once their parallel narratives converge , those hoping for a mind-bending meta-pile-up may feel the movie lacks the courage of its fatalistic fiction .", "the film struggles under its increasingly weighty pretensions to literary credibility and even tragic status , stumbling towards an unconvincing and cloying conclusion .", "the deader the deadpan the better . when ferrell and hoffman do their thing together , a charming bit of whimsy becomes something more . it becomes really , really funny .", "while MOV traffics in a bit of darkly funny existential anxiety , it also finds room for romantic fantasy and sentimental uplift .", "besides being inventive and witty , MOV is a tribute to the power of literature . but art is not its only domain . it also delves into the world of ultimate certainties : death and taxes .", "this is a ferrell you 've never seen before , nailing a role that calls for breakneck humor in the final race against the clock and touching gravity in the love scenes with gyllenhaal .", "if the charlie kaufman-like writing theme suggests adaptation. , zach helm 's script really says little about authorship or form , settling for positing rather than explaining a capricious universe where a giant steam-shovel can bite out one 's living", "a fresh and original fantasy love story entertainment that will arouse all the literary dna we possess .", "ferrell does n't give his typical over-the-top performance here , but rather creates a terrific , understated character that produces a huge amount of empathy and likeability .", "while some of the film 's literary motifs and devices might at first be a bit confusing , on whole it 's pretty amusing and rewarding - and certainly one of the better vehicles to star will ferrell .", "a comedy that takes itself too seriously to be truly enjoyed .", "a wondrously funny modern fairy tale , MOV manages to blend romance , satire and fantasy into a story that 's both fully satisfying and patently absurd .", "much as it strives to be an intelligent story about intelligent people , MOV is basically adaptation for dummies .", "MOV is uptight . -lsb- writer zach -rsb- helm is clearly pro-love and happy endings , but he 's short on loose , fresh ideas .", "MOV just might be the most cunning comedy of the year .", "will ferrell delivers a moving and surprisingly delicate -- though not so surprisingly funny -- turn as the lonesome bureaucrat bedeviled by a voice only he hears .", "-lsb- director marc -rsb- forster 's sweetly engaging concoction bends our minds without too much strain , and even those moments that feel mildly familiar never breed anything close to contempt .", "MOV makes for pretty tepid prose .", "it remains inventive and funny to the end , features fine performances from will ferrell and especially emma thompson , and offers enough to enjoy and dispute to make it a good b.o. attraction .", "... a clever ode to creative constipation on par with charlie kaufman 's ` adaptation ' -lrb- to which it owes a great debt -rrb- .", "there 's no denying the movie has a surface allure .", "will ferrell and emma thompson give brilliant performances in this metaphysical , kafkaesque dilemma ... far too deep to be viewed as a frivolous comedy .", "will ferrell in a reserved , highbrow comedy ? now that is MOV .", "crisp , eccentric and exhilarating .", "the movie is clever , but a little too pleased with its own clockwork intricacy .", "a striking implosion of incongruent themes .", "-lsb- the -rsb- performances succeed where harold fails : gaining a life independent of their author .", "a jaunty little existential oddity .", "it takes a great premise and runs with it , neither wasting opportunities nor going off on tangents . it features strong work from both the main and supporting actors , and manages seamlessly to incorporate both humor and poignancy .", "when it flies , it soars . but it develops leaden feet as it spins over into a convoluted , overly long wind down . this is an intelligent , engaging film that gets it right , for the most part , before ultimately capitulating to the demands of hollywood .", "ferrell breaks the mold in this pleasantly surprising , terrific film .", "-lsb- j -rsb- ust the kind of numbskull movie that critics call ` smart ' .", "screenwriter zach helm 's comedy has some quirky points , but it 's very sugary and sentimental , and feeble compared to the work of those who have done the same sort of thing better : woody allen or charlie kaufman .", "a concept film , but wow , what a concept !", "consegue desenvolver sua hist\u00f3ria de forma sempre interessante e com uma sensibilidade que certamente surpreender\u00e1 aqueles que forem ao cinema esperando assistir a uma com\u00e9dia -lrb- algo que este longa n\u0103o \u00e9 -rrb- .", "writer 's block has never been so entertaining .", "it 's a shame that MOV does n't quite sustain its premise , but it 's so entertaining that you might not even notice .", "an uncommonly plastic bit of hallmark sentiment-mongering , with exactly the kind of new age psychobabble ending you\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- d expect .", "ferrell rules in this film . i take back my words of prejudice . this is the smartest film in town .", "this is will ferrell 's being john malkovich or eternal sunshine of the spotless mind , but not as good as either of those other comedies of the mind .", "who has n't imagined that they 're a main character in a book or movie ? perhaps it is this manic egocentric nature of my personality that made me fall in love with the film .", "such a featherweight nothing that it engenders only indifference .", "everyone can handle sitcom and they do .", "awfully good stuff ...", "... a charlie kaufman movie with actual characters and a storyline worth following .", "an amusing little quirky vehicle that not only entertains , but actually contains a few thought provoking scenes .", "unlike the brainier kaufman stories , it 's easy to understand how matters are proceeding here without an air of pretentiousness .", "arguably one of ferrell 's finest two hours on film ,", "ultimately it 's about fully embracing life rather than staying locked in our habits and comfort zones , hardly a new moral to the story in the history of cinema , but MOV brings vitality to the shopworn message .", "cute title , but a snappy opening dissolves into a relatively simplistic tale of a wet noodle learning to stand up for himself .", "despite its pretensions to be unusual , oddly imitative and ordinary ... less like a story you find clever and surprising than like a book you 've read before .", "-lsb- MOV -rsb- springs to life whenever it drops the cute pirandello-like premise and focuses on the simple business of ferrell finding love .", "there are a handful of really nice moments in fiction , and almost none of them have to do with helm 's outrageous setup .", "-lsb- MOV -rsb- teems with ideas both literary and existential , which might make it unbearably precious , were it not redeemed by woozy charm and some serious acting from will ferrell .", "a fantasy , so it 's not obligated to be logical , but it should at least have internal logic and follow its own set of rules . a failure to do so untethers the film .", "MOV is the most original comedy of the year , a mind-bending tale with one foot in the real world and the other in pure fiction .", "a good movie but not a great one , MOV is reminiscent of the films of charlie kaufman .", "a darkly whimsical dramedy that manages to walk the line between mainstream and unconventional .", "its brand of dry humor may catch ferrell fans off-guard ... much closer to jim carrey 's ` the truman show ' or nicolas cage and meryl streep 's ` adaptation ' than it is to the usual ferrell fare .", "in many ways , harold does not come across as a real character . he is more of a conceit than anything , defined entirely by quirky character traits , rather than simple humanity .", "the movie 's vigorous efforts to channel charlie kaufman and andrew niccol , leave it looking rather familiar , not strange at all .", "give ferrell as many roles like this as he can possibly handle .", "MOV is more high-concept than high-brow ; a comedy heavy on gimmick that falls a little short of cunning .", "MOV is not clever enough to reach adaptation 's upscale audiences or funny or entertaining enough for more mass consumption .", "never really makes sense of its metafictional conceit , but at least marc foster refuses to accept the current hollywood conventional wisdom that movie comedies should be as visually bland as tv sitcoms .", "it might be charlie kaufman lite , but this is a great date movie for the discerning - smart , ingenious and heartwarming .", "instead of finishing with a bang it peters out , but this existential yarn is still fresh and funny enough to justify taking two hours out of your life .", "for all its faults , it blazes new trails in mixing popular entertainment and philosophy , not to mention metaphysics , with enough panache to make it all seem eminently sensible .", "it may not be a masterpiece like -lsb- the writer 's -rsb- new novel , but it 's an entertaining story .", "it 's a clever script with some very sweet moments , and an inspiring message . i liked it !", "the progress harold makes in this unconventional romance is the peak of MOV .", "you could imagine MOV as a repeat of the truman show as adapted by adaptation author charlie kaufman . early on , harold 's story clicks . but zach helm 's script reaches the end before harold reaches his .", "it 's the kind of middlebrow film that pretends it 's arty and thinks it 's so smart .", "finally , a charlie kaufman movie for people who are too stupid to understand charlie kaufman movies .", "this bland and energyless production stars will ferrell , who sleepwalks through his part with the same stoic expression . it 's a performance almost guaranteed to induce slumber .", "beautifully written -lrb- the passages from eiffel 's book are stunningly good -rrb- , acted and directed , there 's not a false note in MOV .", "a film well worth seeing and savoring .", "a backhanded compliment to call it the first real disappointment of the season .", "smarter than the usual comedy and the romance is more powerful than one would expect from a romantic comedy .", "movies with terrific ideas are a rare commodity in hollywood . the idea behind MOV is the kind of charlie kaufmanesque conceit that sounds a lot better than the way it 's played out .", "there 's no joy in seeing ferrell play an office drone , and the life lessons he learns are of the `` all i really need to know i learned in kindergarten '' variety .", "yes , MOV is a head trip . but it 's a very friendly one , and well crafted at that .", "a movie that begins with a challenging premise but ultimately settles for a more accessible `` carpe diem '' kind of message .", "the blending of the intellectual and the emotional that MOV achieves is so rare , and so rarely done this well . so few films are so fully satisfying on every level like this one is .", "MOV is no eternal sunshine . but if you can look past its clunky attempt to be exactly that , there 's great pleasure in watching ferrell , like harold , turn into someone you never knew he could be .", "MOV is a movie that brims over with characters who are too complicated , prickly and interesting to fit within the boundaries of a conventional film .", "it 's not the original story we signed up for -- or thought we did .", "sometimes i think movies like MOV do n't experiment with narrative and character as much as cop out on them .", "if you 've really paid attention to ferrell 's career , this role is not a stretch . he brings great humanity to a character , and a movie , that ends up being more of a sentimental romance than the silly quirk-fest you might expect .", "the movie , like life , has no simple answers , and for the first time ever , a will ferrell movie will not only make you laugh , but make you think . if it means i do n't have to see him in tighty whiteys ever again , i 'm all for it .", "provides a pleasant evening in the theater .", "this creative film presents a whimsical story that entertains us while also making us think about our own mortality and what 's important in life .", "... a nice story , with a whimsical metafictional touch , but it 's a long way from mind-blowing .", "there may have been some room for improvement , but the movie still has a lot of things to recommend it . MOV is funny and poignant at the same time .", "until this unsatisfying ending , however , the movie flows exactly right .", "a sweet comedy , an antidote to the over-the-top , vulgar and politically reactionary ` borat . '", "this slightly fantastical , tragi-comic idea ended up in the care of precisely the right people .", "when i left the theater , i got in my car , turned off my perpetually running radio , and thought for a long time before i moved . it 's been a while since a film has done that .", "it 's the trippy process of storytelling that counts .", "most of the movie 's comedy falls very flat . another director might have masked the inadequacy of the script in a way to make the enterprise marginally fun , but -lsb- marc -rsb- forster just did n't have the goofy flair required .", "it manages to be smart and surprising and provides this season of serious movies with a much-needed shot of whimsy .", "... the film also closes on a less than inspired note , but the filmmakers fail to take advantage of the literary irony .", "as natural as milk and cookies", "the link between comedy and tragedy is closer than ferrell believes but the line is n't as clever as it should be and not nearly as profound as it believes it is .", "will ferrell is great with a restrained , earnest performance as a guy who is n't the life of the party , is n't bombastic and loud , but is just a shy guy trying to make it through life without getting hurt .", "this is a genuine marvel of a movie .", "the picture is an overworked trifle : there 's so much going on in it that it becomes hard to care about anything that 's going on in it .", "the star , fittingly , for this meditation on the power of stories , is the script -- exceptionally clever , knowledgeable about literature and narrative structure , filled with sly humor but also as warmly delectable as one of pascal 's cookies .", "for all of the film 's narrative intricacies , it 's love in bloom that carries the day .", "MOV is both about a novel and like a novel ; you eagerly await the turning of the pages .", "MOV seems like an old episode of the twilight zone , and the idea would have worked better as one of rod serling 's half-hour epistles on human foibles .", "MOV is subversive in its own , low-key way .", "it does n't coast on its premise but follows where it leads , which is into some serious territory . what might have been a joke with a tagged-on sentimental ending becomes instead a sensitive movie that affirms the value of life .", "will ferrell is a more than worthy heir to lemmon , hanks , brazil 's jonathan pryce and something wild 's jeff daniels .", "ferrell proves just the right choice , nicely underplaying for a change and ratcheting up his game opposite major talents .", "a trippy trifle from the charlie kaufman/michel gondry school of pop metafiction .", "satisfaction comes from the small moments , the simple pleasures . at least , that 's the argument MOV makes - and it presents a pretty convincing case .", "this movie is to ferrell what the truman show was to jim carrey , the film that allows the comic to put both feet on the ground -- and to stimulate a full range of emotions .", "hanging on a high concept never fully supported by its story , MOV stays aloft thanks to an exceptionally appealing cast .", "... just another run of the mill , disappointingly mediocre comedy .", "fiction is one large false start , unable to claw out of the pit of its own toxic self-awareness .", "it 's sweet and romantic in the good way .", "never self-consciously wacky or cloyingly sentimental , MOV is instead a breezy , sweet comedy .", "forster has a strong eye for detail and a keen visual sense .", "MOV is a meditation on life , art and romance , and on the kinds of responsibility we have . such an uncommonly intelligent film does not often get made .", "for much of the film , ferrell must suppress his showman instincts to pull off the schlub act . that 's good for the film , but it 's bad for fans who expect him to scream obscenities and run down the street naked .", "screenwriter zach helm and director marc forster take a great , out-there idea and make it into something that feels true and magical .", "as a philosophical study , it 's shaky beyond belief , but as a humorous trifle , it admirably makes up the difference .", "a surprising , pathos-generating performance by ferrell ... for the first time in a long time i really hoped a movie 's main character would n't die .", "take a cool premise , a smart director and a top-flight cast , then throw an ex-tv sketch comedy knucklehead into the mix - and voila , a thinking person 's dramedy that grapples with issues of fate and free will , love and liberation . look out , oscars .", "MOV is a poetic and thoughtful rummage through the cosmic closet with a comic actor best known for less intelligent fare . now that 's MOV .", "if MOV has a central flaw , it 's overly sentimental . although the story would work better as a tragedy , forster and helm ca n't resist tacking on a mushy love story , involving crick and combative tax cheat ana pascal .", "it 's feel-good for real , uplifting in a meaningful way , and i loved it .", "a decent premise caves under scrutiny , exposing -lrb- fiction -rrb- as one long setup that lacks a punch line .", "sure , -lsb- crick 's -rsb- more a caricature than a fully fleshed out person , but he reacts to his increasingly unbelievable situation with unexpected ... believability .", "not the most satisfying of films , and it may not be as profound as it wants to be , but there are moments here that make it well worth a look .", "MOV promises a heady experience , but it ultimately heads for the heart instead .", "in a movie full of surprises , the biggest may be ferrell 's perfectly deadpan performance .", "indulge the movie 's excesses , and it rewards the viewer 's intelligence with humor mingled with insight , warmth and painless lessons in literary theory ." ], "summary": "a fun , whimsical tale about an office drone trying to save his life from his narrator , MOV features a subdued performances from will ferrell that contributes mightily to its quirky , mind-bending affect .", "id": "343950173" }, { "movie": "10008785-appaloosa", "reviews": [ "the film is more trenchant character study than thrilling showdown , and it confounds as many generic expectations as it fulfills .", "it is n't a bad film , but the pacing drags it down to the level of just another horse opera when it could have been so much more .", "the first hour bored me nearly to tears , but i 'm glad i stuck it out , since the last half hour is fresh , diverting and original in the context of a neo-western . or a neo anything .", "a gentle , warmly human and quietly compelling western with a wry sense of humour and some engaging performances from a group of fine actors .", "viggo mortensen 's brilliantly cool performance engenders enough good will to see `` MOV '' through its pokey meandering to an intriguingly philosophical conclusion : a look at modern outsourcing , capitalism and progress through a western prism .", "a fine cast produces a surprisingly low-key outing . it sports a plot like a western from 45 years ago , but pacing familiar from lonesome dove .", "ed harris does it better than anybody .", "it was at times incredibly slow and even poorly edited , and i 've never understood the appeal of renee zelwegger .", "no ordinary oater .", "the film 's subtle humor and detailed character studies reflect careful attention to detail and superb craftsmanship .", "the bullets may not be comparable to the yuma remake or kevin costner 's underrated open range , but the men holding the guns are still the same . so what if they 're just a little bit different ?", "too authentic to be populist , yet too familiar to transcend the genre and hang with the bona fide classics .", "MOV shows a square jaw and a steely gaze , but also a smile and a wink .", "the top-heavy plot takes over , and the picture makes a beeline back to tepid convention .", "a satisfying journey that does n't require too much examination , just an appreciation of the scenery and what it took to get by during this period of american history .", "in the early going , MOV does an efficient job of establishing the tense standoff between lawmen-for-hire ed harris and viggo mortensen , and a tyrannical rancher -lrb- an extravagantly sinister jeremy irons -rrb- .", "bring back hopalong cassidy and randolph scott and you 've got the making of a respectable horse opera .", "MOV is gripping entertainment that keeps springing surprises .", "if you 're someone who orders the usual and is just happy when it comes out warm and fresh , i reckon MOV will sit with you just fine .", "crackling eccentric verbal wit as harris ' marshal seeks to ` button up this town tighter than a nun 's corset ' while overcome by zellweger 's irresistible flirty charms , because she ` chews her food nicely and even takes a bath before going to bed .", "a better than average western in the clint eastwood tradition", "ed harris ' howler of a vanity piece .", "nothing new or groundbreaking here , just a lot of talented people coming together for a well-made and entertaining western .", "... provides enough variety to keep the heart , mind , and adrenaline on alert .", "i give thanks for westerns . every time they seem to be about to gasp their last , dusty breath , one comes along to give them a bit of renewed life . bless it , the western genre will not die . last year it was the excellent remake 3:10 to yuma . this ye", "it is as though harris could not decide whether he was making the classic western of his boyhood dreams , or merely a pastiche of it . the result , falling somewhere between the two , ends up being neither here nor there .", "a terrific bread-and-butter western .", "MOV is ideally suited for fans of the genre for whom quiet drama speaks as loud as big guns .", "uma produ\u0437\u0433o correta e que prende a aten\u0437\u0433o especialmente gra\u0437as \u0430 din\u0432mica entre harris e mortensen , mas que , no fim das contas , n\u0433o exibe nada que a torne diferente do convencional .", "a western bromance .", "where the film lets you down is in the boundaries of the dramatic map which needs a more dynamic -lrb- and cinematic -rrb- driving force .", "can ed harris , of all people , save the western for this generation ?", "in another era , harris -- and mortensen , for that matter -- would have already starred in several westerns . harris should do more of them ; only next time , much less carefully .", "squinting zellweger ruins it . i liked the hats .", "these are horse-opera fundamentals ; having given them short shrift , the film just shuffles down its lonesome trail into the horizon and out of your memory .", "a western that moseys along in amiable style , largely thanks to the chemistry between harris and mortensen .", "this is no revisionist western designed to shock life into an unfashionable genre , rather a film that respects the conventions of the traditional western .", "photographed handsomely with wide-angled majesty , the film does precious little myth-making , though harris subtly twists some of the genre 's conventions .", "a pity that harris 's homage to westerns should be compromised so intrusively . for most of its length , in terms of its themes , pacing and visual sweep , it 's a treat .", "as comfortable as an old saddle and as sharp as an apache arrow , this a western for the modern era .", "MOV has a solid enough opening , and it should be fun just to watch things play out , what with the shootouts , the trains , the swagger at gunpoint . but the script -lrb- co-written by harris -rrb- is alternately dumb and lifeless .", "MOV will probably just ride off into the sunset without much of an impact , but it will sate your fix for horses , guns and slapping leather . you know , if you 're into that sort of thing .", "the various symbols never coalesce into metaphor so much as they stand stagnant and hollow at the edges of the frame .", "in all , MOV is good as far as it goes -- everything in it feels true -- but i wish that harris had pushed his ideas further .", "MOV is entertaining , certainly , but it feels rather slight and feeble next to some of its more superior recent cohorts in the western genre .", "harris and mortensen are out to get irons , and their plan appears to be to talk him to death . it took a lot of stretching to get this to last for two hours .", "a smart and funny script , highly entertaining from the first draw , MOV is a taut , captivating tale of the old west with enough bite and modern edge to draw in both fans and non-devotees of the cowboy genre .", "jeremy irons is miscast as the film 's politically driven baddie , but the easy rapport between harris and mortensen more than compensates for the minor misstep .", "the parts of it that work , work very well ... so much so in fact that the parts which do n't simply ca n't keep up .", "ed harris and viggo mortensen have mastered the art of subtle communication , amplifying the believability of their relationship in this ruggedly male bonding tale .", "the best western since 3:10 to yuma , which is to say it 's a western .", "while there 's nothing particularly original about the plot , the characters and the way they interact with each other are strikingly played", "this is an honest tale of the camaraderie between a pair of lawmen simply trying to do a job .", "these days , westerns are a dying breed , uncommonly found in multiplexes . MOV is the latest reason why .", "too much romance makes the movie sag near the end and the plot could have gone in a more interesting direction . but if you are wild about westerns , saddle up for MOV .", "in all , it 's a magnificent ride and certainly one of the finest films of the year .", "enjoyable , frequently offbeat western with an intriguing script and terrific performances from harris and mortensen .", "this , though , is not so much a comedy as a western with the ironic undertones that someone like hawks would appreciate while telling a story such as rio bravo .", "if a western is going to be this slow , it needs to have a lot more tension , and deeper meaning , than this one .", "a classics-steeped western that rams home tradition over reinvention , MOV kicks it hard as a buddy pic on horseback . harris and mortensen 's study in laid-back companionship is the principal pleasure , leaving zellweger mired in role that does her and", "with a cast and director like this , you would expect greatness . what you really should expect is a cup of coffee so you can stay awake .", "i love a good western , so i am not very enamored with MOV . i guess you can say i just want to be friends with it .", "hardly a fresh perspective on genre traditions , it 's still got the performances and glorious landscapes to win you over .", "a fine dramatic comedy with fresh characters , witty dialogue and a keen interest in how relationships must have developed among frontier folks , tyrannical ranchers , no-nonsense lawmen and -- oh , yes -- the complicated women on that frontier .", "actor turned filmmaker ed harris wants to go back to the days of simple sagebrush storytelling , and with one major exception , everything he does ... is nothing short of brilliant .", "harris proves that there is still some life yet in a genre that has essentially been left for dead for nearly four decades at this point .", "`` MOV '' doesnt re-invent the western , and thank goodness for that .", "... one heck of a western , one that will join the ranks of `` unforgiven '' and `` 3:10 to yuma '' as modern classics .", "... a well-told , thoroughly enjoyable and refreshingly direct buddy western , and that 's more than enough .", "MOV is one of those movies that creeps up on you after the fact .", "ed harris , working from a robert parker novel , has crafted a meticulously detailed , newfangled old-fashioned morality tale of hard men who go soft when a woman comes between them .", "with wayne 's gruff arrogance , eastwood 's squinting revenge eyes and stewart 's ambling cool , harris carves a daunting figure .", "ambition is a great quality in a filmmaker , especially when it 's realized . yet there is something to be said for just telling a story , and with MOV , harris does a fine job of it .", "what is seductive about MOV is its easygoing rhythm .", "takes the old western conventions and juggles them in very odd but mostly satisfying ways .", "harris 's adoration for the genre is clear , and his MOV is a fine addition to a growing list of neo-westerns incorporating a respectful tone , ideal aim of violence , and heartfelt observation all in the same breath .", "-lsb- harris 's -rsb- performance as the usually quiet but quick-to-action gunman is terrific , and he 's smart enough to leave much of the narration duties and such to the soft-spoken mortensen .", "there is plenty of plot but not enough story . and the film unfolds in short scenes strung together that beg to be expanded into more detailed examinations of behavior .", "vastly entertaining in the old-fashioned ways : fun story , fun characters , fun everything .", "MOV is an archetypal western with touches of the modern buddy comedy . though it falls short of these classics , it is a little bit destry rides again and a little bit more butch cassidy and the sundance kid .", "` MOV ' might be described as a routine western , except that in the moviegoing culture of 2008 , there 's nothing routine about the pleasures of a well-made and entertaining western .", "a suitable slow burn punctuated by sudden acts of violence ; it fairly oozes off the screen like bloodied molasses , and then , heated , bubbles up and over , all smoke and fire and endless clouds of new mexico dust .", "the movie brings back the danger and the humane humor of strong , silent men of action .", "a warmly made , slightly offbeat movie about friendly devotion . it also happens to be a western , and every man in it is grizzled or wizened or both .", "filled with dusty light , craggy facial features and broad landscapes , it 's a solid story that honors the traditions of the genre as it reworks them .", "... a classical western that invites us to savor no-nonsense camaraderie between two shootists for hire .", "standard western finds comfort in its familiarity .", "... a classy entry that 's as much about the moral choices facing the characters as the horses and six guns .", "MOV is a familiar story told well enough that it 's worth seeing , but wo n't truly linger for any but the most diehard western fanatic .", "for its first hour or so , MOV is a crisply paced pleasure , mostly thanks to the interplay between harris and mortensen .", "brush away the dust and you 'll find a sense of nostalgia and romanticism about lost american values and altered social hierarchies .", "harris has made himself a reputation as a mark of quality ... like pollack , MOV has the best of both worlds , with harris both in front of and behind the camera . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "a droll western with an odd romantic triangle .", "old-fashioned western features great performances .", "old-fashioned but simple and effective entertainment", "a dusty , old-fashioned western with a dusty , old-fashioned vibe . you can all but smell the saddle soap as the story unfolds .", "there 's considerable pleasure in MOV 's respect for the undramatic . it does n't go where you 'd expect ...", "true , the film is a little long , and it loses momentum at one stage , but generally speaking this is a most enjoyable return to what was once the cinema 's most popular genre .", "viggo mortensen is a trustworthy ally in the project , an actor whose extraordinary range enables him to move his performance along the scale from 0 to 100 at will .", "wearing not only his actor 's lawman hat , but also that of director and co-screenwriter , ed harris delivers a splendid film , filled with nuances , complexities and substance", "it is the romance that sets MOV apart .", "when you 're lookin for an olde time , pistol-wieldin ' , rootin ' , tootin ' varmint , hire somebody other than jeremy irons . what is this -- bonanza revisited ?", "MOV demonstrates a better sense of history than paul thomas anderson 's hysterical there will be blood . but harris is n't a good enough director ; he loses the mythical air that drives home a great western 's point .", "MOV is a pleasingly spacious piece of work , but for all of its little tangles it never musters the kick of a psychological duel .", "it could be said that harris and his co-writer , robert knott , have n't done a whole lot of writing , but as cole himself might say , there 's no need to get all fancy with what 's plain and true .", "MOV satisfies all its requirements but never breaks a sweat .", "... modern in its playfulness while never seeming not of its period . harris and mortensen are good enough together to warrant another adventure .", "while he thankfully avoids the actor-filmmaker avenger fantasies of the three burials of melquiades estrada , harris does n't have the genre chops to fill MOV 's empty spaces .", "it 's high time for the western to be resuscitated as a genre ; a picture that just pokes along amiably is n't enough to get the job done .", "ed harris reunites with viggo mortensen , his co-star in a history of violence , and the chemistry is easygoing and understated . but he should have left the direction to someone else .", "it 's a pleasure to watch such gifted actors interact in a classic genre .", "mannered , episodic and slow .", "a finely textured , riveting western that marks a welcome return to a classic american genre . bristles with violence and humanity", "old fashioned western , a meditation on honor , courage and camaraderie , is well helmed and acted , but commercially , it might fall between the cracks : it 's too grown-up for young viewers and too familiar as a psychological western for adults .", "mortensen should certainly do another western , soon . preferably he should do one with a real sense of danger to go along with all the neat , tidy , highfalutin ' honor and decency .", "in its own quiet way it delivers the goods .", "after MOV establishes its slightly modern characters in a traditional setting , it has nowhere to go but toward the completely expected .", "harris directs with a steady hand and sharp eye for the best in his fellow actors .", "from its first , mournful brass theme , ed harris 's MOV nails the look and feel of a classic western . this is an old-style , laconically macho , six-shooting horse opera made with an obvious and unapologetic love of the genre .", "emotionally MOV shoots blanks .", "there 's a refreshing vein of understated humor running throughout the production . it 's neither forced nor unnatural and it keeps things from becoming too somber , even when the bullets start flying .", "it lacks the substantial story that would make it memorable .", "harris co-wrote , directed and stars in the film , which is filled with humor , action and clever turns .", "MOV carries a whiff of feminism . or at least an awareness of what life was like for women on the frontier .", "if it feels a bit like an old howard hawks western -lrb- no slacker with the subtext himself -rrb- -- that 's not a bad thing .", "plays on conventions so smoothly that we 're never distracted from the ride .", "the chemistry of ed harris and viggo mortensen makes ` MOV ' a huge film in the way it gets under your skin and into your heart .", "harris and mortensen radiate a rugged integrity ...", "very disappointing -- i was so in the mood for a great western !", "we just want the movie to ride off in the sunset to rest among all the other disappointing westerns in boot hill .", "a welcome return to the roots of the western genre .", "MOV takes the traditional notion of a lone lawman fighting injustice and turns it successfully on its head .", "sometimes MOV seems bent on exploiting the standard cliches of the western genre ... while at others it seems striving to be a modernist update full of ambiguity ...", "for those of you who yearn for westerns like `` 3:10 to yuma '' and `` tombstone , '' here 's another one you should reach for .", "luscious enough photography and fun to watch , `` MOV '' brings nothing new to the table . as a collection of things that have been done before who will watch it over the originals ?", "throughout , the repartee between harris and mortensen never feels less than broken-in and believable .", "harris displays a quiet , unshowy confidence and a genuine fondness for the genre , capturing the horses and guns and saloon glasses in a soft , almost-sundown light .", "it 's deliberately paced , but this non-western-fan loved it .", "harris follows his strong helming debut pollock with a contribution to the western movie revival that looks and sounds like a classic .", "it 's both dull and preposterous , which neither dean semler 's somberly handsome score nor jeff beals ' pushy , cornball score does anything to ameliorate .", "beautifully photographed by dean semler , MOV is the best western since open range and shows there 's still life in this most unfashionable of genres .", "ed harris has the kind of head that would look great on a coin , but it looks even better on a movie screen , as he turns his chiseled features this way and that .", "it 's unfortunate for everyone concerned , and for the film , that the train chugs into town one day .", "though the leads do fine work , their efforts often feel slightly futile .", "zellweger 's allison zaps virgil of his almost superhuman qualities and the film eventually becomes ordinary when the love of a woman interferes with the law .", "... so old-fashioned it even carries a troubling dose of old-fashioned sexism .", "clearly not worried about modern action conventions , harris ' movie is a traditional western in every sense of the word , and it seems weird to call it ` new ' at all .", "it 's a rousing , efficient western that is about the friendship of two men , just as much as it is about getting the bad guys .", "ed harris ' labor of love is a welcome return to the classic westerns of yore .", "harris ' easy byplay with mortensen , his economical dialogue and his stately camerawork of the new mexico landscape combine for a smart , dynamic western .", "dialogue , much of it lifted straight from parker 's novel , proves mostly engaging .", "MOV is firmly grounded in genre orthodoxy even as it teases at the edges of nonconformity . the results are decidedly mixed ." ], "summary": "a traditional genre western , MOV sets itself apart with smart psychology , an intriguing love triangle , and good chemistry between the leads .", "id": "770684024" }, { "movie": "libertine", "reviews": [ "though dunsmore , depp and jeffreys ' conceits work more vividly as ideas than as filmmaking , they 're ruthlessly true to themselves and grimly powerful .", "depp is stunning as a man who squanders his soul , his talent and his body , while malkovich is exceptional as charles ii , underplaying the role to beautiful effect .", "a seductively entertaining , fangs-bared historical comedy .", "it 's not that we do n't like the 2nd earl of rochester ; it 's that we simply never come to understand the man known as the MOV .", "... while depp seems the obvious choice for this ribald role , this is the first performance he 's let get away from him .", "the characters ' florid , hyperbolic , elliptical , punning manner of speech rings true to the restoration era , as both mirrored and modeled in the stage plays of the day .", "depp 's is a murky performance in a murky movie .", "for all the larking and swiving and the odd orgiastic tableau , the MOV is an extremely sombre , thoughtful work .", "this might be worth viewing if the film 's characters came to life or its abundant philosophical and moral observations went more than pockmarked-skin deep .", "the advance word on the MOV was so bad that i was rather surprised to find it -- unterrible .", "johnny depp 's beauty and talent salvage this rigorously stagy film on the life and bad-boy times of the second earl of rochester .", "depp has a wonderful time as the earl , and why would n't he ? the movie plays to his deepest boyish desires to jump into the dress-up box and emerge with a frilly shirt and one of mom 's discarded wigs .", "this film is n't pretty , but it has some kick : it is to shakespeare in love what wild pheasant is to chicken mcnuggets .", "... more of a gothic horror movie than an arresting biographical drama .", "though wilmot 's life hardly wants for interest , screenwriter stephen jeffreys -lrb- adapting his own play -rrb- does n't know where to place his emphases , giving us scattered , disconnected scenes .", "nasty is n't necessarily a bad thing , there 've been lots of really fun film that are nasty as hell , but this is just shock for shock 's sake and is in the long run rather boring .", "such a torturous mess that it winds up doing something i had n't thought possible : it renders johnny depp charmless .", "it 's depressing to think how much better this could have been in the hands of a skilled director .", "with its emphasis on muddy streets , muddier language and raunchy behavior , MOV is a trying experience .", "disagreeable , unlikable , unwatchable .", "`` the MOV '' in question here is john wilmot , earl of rochester , a poet and member of the reformation court of king charles ii .", "... the subject matter and marginal execution make it a hard sell to all but the most ardent fans of depp , who treats the MOV as a personal acting workshop .", "stumble away from this film as quickly as possible .", "newcomer director laurence dunmore does not show the experience necessary to pull off this period piece and lets depp 's performance fall by the wayside", "the story , like the cinematography , is overly foggy and under-illuminated .", "the performances are impeccable , but what might have been a handsome period drama , is compromised by a drawn out screenplay and over-stylised grainy production ... this dark tale of excess is pure theatre .", "mesmo em filmes irregulares como este , johnny depp \u00e9 sempre capaz de despertar o interesse do espectador .", "historical accuracy is a liability instead of an asset in this painfully exact recreation of 1670s london ...", "this ugly creation uses graphic sex , bad hygiene , mud , diseased features and depp wetting his pants -lrb- we get to see the puddle -rrb- to illustrate the perils of hedonism .", "for all its attempts to startle us with its vulgarity , this underdeveloped movie never locates a defining method to its messiness ; ultimately , it possesses all the shock value of a toddler yelling , `` poopy ! ''", "when the movie is done it really does n't matter whether we agree that we like the earl or not . we can all agree on liking that the movie is over .", "has some choice words to say about following one 's heart in matters of art .", "... had wilmot not actually existed he could have been imagined by jean genet .", "if you thought depp went overboard with his keith richards impression in pirates of the caribbean , here he goes whole hog into the sty .", "too occupied with shocking the audience with its over-the-top dialogue to notice that it 's not working .", "wilmot is so thoroughly committed to being so awful that his debauchery has a kind of purity about it .", "the story 's familiarity does n't reward its gloom , but it 's lifted by an amazing performance .", "john wilmot , the second earl of rochester -lrb- johnny depp -rrb- , is always the smartest guy in the room .", "the filmmakers would rather sentimentalize their debauched hero than convince us there was insight in his cynicism or artfulness in his obscene verse .", "a bawdy restoration romp that does n't . romp .", "in dramatic terms , constantly being told about rochester 's talent but never seeing it makes the movie feel as pointless as its subject 's life .", "might be the least-sexy film about a hedonist ever made , unless bawdy and bewigged somehow add up to erotic .", "despite its challenging central character , the MOV offers a curiously entertaining look at a true original , as well as a glance at a fascinating age in english history as a society goes bonkers after a time of repression .", "the point seems to be that too much of a good thing leads to a vast sense of nothingness and bleak cinematography . alas , it also results in transforming a film about a sensualist into a remarkably sexless enterprise .", "depp is stuck playing a witty rake who is n't remarkably witty or even all that sexy .", "what emerges from the bilious murk of first-time director laurence dunmore 's film is a sad picture of an intelligent and talented writer who opted for self-indulgence and gratuitous insult over anything more meaningful .", "as the character grows sicker and quieter , the drama 's energy fades .", "from time to time , a gem-like line shines from the squalor , but in general , it 's merely the film 's suffocating cynicism that registers .", "as a dramatic enterprise it 's stillborn . not to mention depressing in the extreme .", "dunmore slogs through the story with an overripe sense of gravity that , when mixed with the film 's carefully botched look , makes for one murky moviegoing experience .", "a movie that serves up what its debauched subject would never have countenanced -- sanitized smut with a moral attached .", "depp 's depraved character does have twisted poignancy .", "quick , literate , funny and filthy , a head-turning mix of high thoughts and low schemes .", "it 's a bit too muddy , dismal-looking and smoky to beguile us , too fixated on filth and too dreary-looking to really shock us .", "rochester may have been a cultural visionary , but the movie reduces this notion to a parable of bad-boy celebrity hitched to an uninteresting love story .", "depp really does his best -lrb- or perhaps that should be his worst -rrb- to make his character unappealing and unlikable .", "without context and reason to care , i never understood why i was lurking about here the first place .", "depp portrays wilmot , who was also remembered for scandalous poetry and theatrical satire , as a careless and generally unpleasant fellow , who is neither funny nor profound . and we 're supposed to spend two hours with this guy . ugh .", "stinkers this rapturously self-assured do n't come along often , and when they do , they deserve to be honored with the proper giggling disbelief .", "-lsb- director -rsb- dunmore creates a memorably grimy london , but the moral grime covering the film proves less memorable .", "i enjoyed it - or much of it - for reasons that have everything to do with johnny depp .", "under the veneer of another fine/creepy depp performance , the film falls flat .", "a difficult film to watch , but one that speaks to our own invidious world .", "based on stephen jeffreys ' play , about 17th century iconoclastic poet the 2nd earl of rochester -lrb- johnny depp -rrb- , `` the MOV '' fails to pay off on its promises of taboo sex .", "it feels both overlong and incomplete .", "slightly pretentious , but original enough to be a bit interesting , and buoyed by strong performances from depp and morton , the MOV is a decent telling of a historical footnote , most interesting because of its strong feminist message .", "completely unshocking", "if johnny depp 's barmy stumble through the yo-ho-hum pirates sequel was playtime rehash , then his loathsome portrayal of the pestilent aristocrat earl of rochester shows an actor still daring to push the margins of his persona .", "big dull drag of a movie .", "first-time director laurence dunsmore ... enjoys his wallow in london murk and mud , but nobody else will .", "as presented , wilmot is so vulgar that he does n't care even for himself until the final reel , and few people will care to follow his story that far .", "depp transforms a potentially repellent character into another glittering portrait in a gallery of lovable rogues ...", "loquacious , though -lrb- the -rrb- characters are talking in circles .", "... will likely leave viewers as frustrated with rochester -lrb- johnny depp -rrb- as his contemporaries were .", "sadly , this is a movie about the consequences of debauchery , and about johnny depp making long-winded oscar-bait speeches while slathered in nasty pancake makeup .", "the MOV could be one of the most atrocious films you will ever see in your entire life .", "features another stellar johnny depp performance , but stagy dialogue and dreary cinematography mar the effectiveness of this murky period drama .", "any movie top-billed by a star as hot as johnny depp that somehow manages to sit on a shelf for more than a year after its completion is bound to be a stinker .", "it is depp , as the debauched and decaying restoration rake , who holds the camera . it 's a strong , sturdy performance , but one that asks more of the audience than it might be possible to give .", "depp performance certainly makes the film worthwhile by itself .", "an exquisitely shot period piece with enough filthy dialogue to make a dirty shame seems rather pedestrian .", "plain and simple , the MOV is depp 's effort to pull a charlize : defined as a preternaturally gorgeous actor attempting to portray a visibly repulsive person for award-worthy attention .", "depp opens the movie by looking into the camera and announcing , you will not like me now , and you will like me even less as we go on . that turns out to be true .", "you will not like the second earl of rochester . but you will not be able to take your eyes from him . having made his bed , he does not hesitate to sleep in it .", "we are supposed to thrill to the devil-may-care attitude of this byronic rebel-gent , yet we never find out what he 's about or what he stands for . he 's a self-impressed question mark .", "the MOV is an unpleasant film to watch , and it should be , since it zeroes in on the pain of not being able to connect to other people .", "depp , the movie star , is to be applauded for not ambracing dumb action flicks or brainless blockbuster wannabes , but at this point , he has gone too far in the other direction .", "depp achieves one of his mightiest feats , rescuing the overly theatrical MOV from itself .", "there follows much groping and fondling and talk of debauchery , all of it slightly less erotic than integral calculus .", "one of the few films to maintain an air of stuffiness even while sharing intimate details of debauchery .", "this is an irritatingly unsatisfying and unappetizing profile .", "this has got be one of the least erotic and grungiest films about hedonism ever made .", "not only incessantly talky , but talky in that arch , affected fashion that not only sets one 's teeth on edge but induces deep drowsiness as well .", "a substantial first outing", "a fine feature debut for director laurence dunmore , the MOV is more of a calling card for his future work than a fully rounded triumph in its own right .", "the prologue is probably correct : you will not like wilmot the person . but you may like depp enough to be curious about his portrayal of this MOV .", "the MOV 's libidinous charm makes most of its faults instantly forgivable .", "a supremely distasteful piece of work that squanders time , talent , and one of the more eccentric literary legacies", "johnny depp does some pretty despicable things , yet you do n't dislike him . there 's just something about him that draws you in and wins you over .", "what depp ca n't help is the film 's vulgar uselessness .", "it 's a grotesque , repellent , macabre costume drama . if you want depravity , watch re-runs of the mini-series `` rome '' on hbo .", "an honorable misfire .", "the film built around depp 's performance is leaden and monotonous , crusted in the faux-realism of handheld cameras , muddy streets , and dingy castle hallways .", "depp is a raunchy wonder , especially in a time-capsule-worthy opening monologue .", "for those who can stick with it , the rewards are considerable .", "the second half , especially , grows dour and maundering , and by the end the movie seems to flail in desperation , more like a work in progress than like a finished piece .", "despite depp 's bold turn as the scandalous poet , this disappointingly overwrought , poorly directed costume drama has more in common with quills and stage beauty , all flawed movies about `` deviant '' artists who broke taboos .", "it 's always fun to watch depp be flamboyant , but the story is often murky , and the cinematography even murkier .", "the cheesed-up life and times of one john wilmot , the second earl of rochester .", "this is the kind of film that depp loves , understands , and unfurls his nastiest acting regalia for .", "depp gives a dazzling tour de force as a man who loses his soul , then his heart , then his body .", "it 's a mess of -- toward its end -- almost epic proportions , and it 's nowhere near as vulgar and shocking as it would like to think it is , but the MOV is riveting nevertheless .", "it takes an actor in complete command of his charisma to get away with this kind of murder -- exposing the sick blackness of his soul with a sultry smile . shame about the movie , though .", "director laurence dunmore films everything through a corrosive brown fog , obscuring and muffling the film 's life force .", "for all the overstuffed corsets and garters snapping to and fro , it 's about as bawdy as a c-span appropriations committee meeting .", "the scenes between depp and morton throw off sparks , but the movie as a whole needs focus , oomph .", "... one of those supposedly daring erotic dramas that could actually work as a video touting abstinence . the sex is that soulless , that dingy , that diseased .", "here 's a movie that 's done well , with quality performances . and i have no idea who will want to see `` the MOV , '' a sometimes digusting , always adult look at debauchery during the restoration .", "a daunting , challenging film that dares the viewer to like it . and , it 's not the easiest movie to like , but it 's impossible not to find disturbingly fascinating .", "an odd composition of stolid chamber drama and manic acting by its magnetic star , the movie makes for an occasionally invigorating experience that is too predictable and mannered for its own good .", "dingy and dark , using the trappings of rot to mask its central goody-two-shoedness .", "the film relies heavily on depp 's performance , but it 's so over-the-top that it 's just not that entertaining ." ], "summary": "despite johnny depp 's zealous performance , muddled direction and murky cinematography hinder the MOV .", "id": "9370" }, { "movie": "midnight_cowboy", "reviews": [ "superb performances and a compelling script have made this film a strange mix of oscar-winner and cult classic .", "definitely a film to see .", "gripping , gritty and overwhelmingly depressive and unpleasant , ultimately this is one of the most exciting , exotic and different films to ever win an academy award .", "gritty and disturbing - there was a reason for that x-rating ... and the oscar !", "gritty and absorbing all the way through .", "hoffman and voight are amazing . the film , too , is amazing . it 's all terribly weird -- but amazing .", "it is ultimately a moving experience that captures the quality of a time and a place . it 's not a movie for the ages , but , having seen it , you wo n't ever again feel detached as you walk down west 42nd street .", "sometimes a time capsule never dates .", "it only takes a movie like MOV to point out the limitations of a rating system : how can a measly four stars convey the magnificence of this acknowledged classic ?", "drove its spurs into the bucking bronco of 1970s cinema .", "schlesinger 's frenzied style and visual pyrotechnics -lrb- new wave influence -rrb- are less impressive than the characters and the central friendship between joe buck and ratso , splendidly played by jon voight and dustin hoffman .", "what has happened to MOV is that we 've done our own editing job on it . we 've forgotten the excesses and the detours , and remembered the purity of the central characters and the voight and hoffman performances .", "a classic film that shows a great work has no era ...", "a maverick effort .", "what is most amazing about the film is its refusal to age .", "one of the more overrated films of modern ` hip ' times .", "it might have been fun , but it 's condescending and stupidly mean-spirited instead .", "not every classic film lives up to its fame and i 'm not sure as a whole if i 'd say MOV does . pieces of it though are brilliant , especially the performances of its two leads .", "a buddy movie of rather unlikely characters falling into a rather forced friendship .", "hoffman gives a performance as ` ratzo ' rizzo that stands as the finest in an extraordinary career .", "brilliant filmmaking .", "MOV 's peep-show vision of manhattan lowlife may no longer be shocking , but what is shocking , in 1994 , is to see a major studio film linger this lovingly on characters who have nothing to offer the audience but their own lost souls .", "the performances by hoffman and voight are big .", "i appreciate the performances by jon voight , as joe buck , and dustin hoffman , as enrico ` ratso ' rizzo , as well as their relationship .", "this multi-oscar-winner nails its characters , time period , and locale so perfectly that it becomes even more compelling as time goes by .", "outrageously overrated at the cynical end of the swinging sixties .", "a film you wo n't soon forget", "MOV -lrb- 1969 -rrb- is an ultra-realistic film -lrb- shot on location -rrb- with sordid , downbeat and serious content . it portrays the unlikely companionship", "MOV is quite a film and one that looms as an adult attraction of truly blockbuster proportions .", "um filme exemplar que deve ser visto por todos aqueles que apreciam o bom cinema .", "brilliant character study time capsule", "still powerful story of two losers in new york .", "in this film the scenery is lovely and only the human race is vile .", "the movie is locked into a sixties stylistic approach that can feel dated , but hoffman 's performance can prevent one from ever tiring of the film .", "an impressive and enduring evocation of time and place , this is a moving low-life drama built around oscar-winning writing and performances .", "talented englishman schlesinger had an unerring eye for capturing the grimy reality of new york , even if his directorial style is more jittery than is really necessary .", "the acting , showy and instinctual , is most of the movie ; the visual style is too forced and chicly distended to let the drama acquire much natural life of its own .", "great performances from jon voight and dustin hoffman cap this bravest academy awards best picture choice in history .", "strip away everything else and it 's the performances that make MOV what it is .", "the attempt to wring tender laughter from such a topic strikes me as being itself a kind of commercialized vice .", "we can identify with them without false sentimentality and it is impossible not to do so .", "-lsb- a -rsb- tawdry , strident yet deeply affecting tale .", "MOV moves beyond realism into an archetypal tale of the big city destroying dreamers . joe and ratso , like of mice and men 's george and lenny , are quintessential failed , lower-class , buddy-dreamers .", "classic oscar winner has explicit material , mature themes .", "even with every foot of grim realism and some humor , MOV is rather a sad picture .", "no amount of obfuscation can obscure the film 's vaulting performances .", "as dark and unflinching as it can be , it also fiercely believes in the dignity of its downtrodden characters .", "i can not recall a more marvelous pair of acting performances in any one film .", "`` MOV '' is an exquisite time capsule . the film is filled with dark social and political commentary . only through his problematic friendship with ratzo can buck reclaim his humanity ." ], "summary": "john schlesinger 's gritty , unrelentingly bleak look at the seedy underbelly of urban american life is undeniably disturbing , but dustin hoffman and jon voight 's performances make it difficult to turn away .", "id": "13053" }, { "movie": "funny-ha-ha", "reviews": [ "while the film has a true lived-in feel , and demonstrates a burgeoning talent on the part of its young auteur , its portrait of young slackers lacks the freshness to overcome its all too vivid malaise .", "by simply re-creating what he has observed , bujalski has created a tender , funny and stealthily affecting portrait of youthful powerlessness and frustration .", "MOV is a jagged bite of real life , shambling about with humor , sadness , boredom , excitement .", "bujalski has a knack for letting scenes build and then cutting out abruptly , duplicating the flow of a life in flux .", "-lrb- bujalski 's -rrb- easy naturalism creates an unexpected comic lightness for something so laced with ambiguity .", "the film 's acutely composed dialogue is at once disturbingly empty and brutally poignant .", "an honest portrait of twentysomething dating -- and one with lots of heart .", "dollenmayer 's low-key naturalism is a perfect compliment to the camera 's hand-held gaze , presenting a touching combination of amiable nonchalance and emotional yearning .", "made on so frayed a shoestring that it looks like a dogma project minus the glitz and about as vacuous as its array of clueless twenty-something characters .", "the tagline says , ` this would be sad if it were n't so funny ' , well guess what , it 's not that funny , so it must be sad .", "it 's just , like ... well , a lot like real life for 20-somethings .", "a movie that locates the momentous in the mundane .", "this thoroughly engaging little movie takes unexpected paths with nary a false step", "unquestionably refreshing .", "for reasons bujalski fails to dramatize effectively , his characters are stranded in a banal state of gummy-beared , flip-flopped infantilism .", "each stammer , hesitation and nervous laugh reminds us of who we once were , still are or even hope to be .", "MOV is a reality bite of a story that 's as substantial as the gummi bears the befuddled characters eat .", "a small , plain movie , shot in 16 millimeter in dull locations around boston ; but also , like its passive , quizzical heroine , it is unexpectedly seductive , and even , in its own stubborn , hesitant way , beautiful .", "smart , subtle and excruciatingly honest .", "refreshingly unpolished , the film uses pained silences like punctuation .", "not actually that MOV , but a sensitive and unforced little film about the aimlessness of post-graduate life .", "low budget and intimate , perhaps to the point of belonging on the small screen rather than the cinema , its still an intelligent and unpretentious slice of life true american life .", "is n't much more than a promising calling card that should take director , cast and crew to the next level .", "one of the most accurate portrayals of post-collegiate disillusionment", "bujalski 's subtly well-constructed film reveals a charmingly idiosyncratic sincerity .", "this is an undoubtedly modest yet wholly pleasurable tale about the difficulties that come with letting go of youth .", "if bujalski 's goal was to create a `` you are there -lrb- and eavesdropping -rrb- '' sort of narrative , he 's done a fine job of it .", "with marnie , dollenmayer has managed to transform a sad sack into an indie screen goddess .", "like his heroes mike leigh and john cassavetes , bujalski has a knack for the genuine moment : using rudimentary lighting and a lively ensemble of nonprofessionals , he creates a convincing slacker landscape .", "MOV is the kind of film that you just do n't want to end .", "an indelible film .", "an ebullient sliver of a movie .", "it raises so many little questions and offers so many quiet insights that one sitting is n't enough .", "a pitch-perfect romantic comedy slice of life film .", "a beautifully observant and wholly unpretentious film with roots more in cassavetes than sundance-style showbiz .", "this is n't improvisation , but rather an adroitly achieved randomness -- the perfect syntax for a generation-defining work about a generation marked by its very lack of definition .", "a smartly observed , unpretentious , and unconventional comedy of manners .", "it oozes a palpable sense of miserable , soul-sapping post-collegiate torpor ." ], "summary": "this modest , unpretentious character study astutely captures the emotional states of the 20-something slacker .", "id": "20369" }, { "movie": "joshua", "reviews": [ "a brilliant house-of-horror tale with hitchcockean flair .", "boasts enough in the way of sharp acting , as well as visual and musical smarts , to give the psychological twists and turns a respectable aesthetic context .", "builds to a number of gripping climaxes that leave the viewer quite shaken by how subtly and effectively this movie delivers on the thrills .", "if there 's a better model of passive-aggressive than this MOV kid in a recent movie , i 'd like to know of one .", "in good quality horror , fear and suspense arise from a deepening sense of character , not a noisier sense of one .", "even though the story covers familiar ground , it provides enough tension and humor in the presentation to make it worth watching .", "using well the paradigm of the outsider , here the impact of a new baby on a seemingly perfect family , this elegantly made , often sophisticated psychological thriller marks ratliff 's smooth transition from docu to feature filmmaking ; he 's a talent to watch", "father and mother no longer know best .", "... certainly succeeds in bringing a fair amount of depth to an admittedly familiar storyline .", "when the film falters , it 's when it pulls its punches and gives us conventional horror that we can hold off at a safe distance , rather than uncomfortable insights that we can unsettlingly recognize from our own household experience .", "the nerve-shattering ending will have you hugging your children when you get home - but only if there are witnesses present .", "run-of-the-mill psychological thriller .", "if you strip away all the meddling that MOV does , it 's clear to see the family is dysfunctionally psychopathic from the start", "the movie 's eerie vibe is genuinely disturbing and difficult to shake off . that 's a good thing in this genre .", "the creepy child genre has n't had a movie this much fun in a long time .", "bad seed ? the whole dang garden is rotten in ` MOV , ' a psychological horror film that demonstrates that the poison apple does n't fall far from the toxic family tree .", "scenes that are meant to be scary end up generating laughs .", "MOV might have been delicious if it were n't so blatantly hateful toward women , queers , and religion .", "i 'm not sure whether MOV 's campiness outweighs its offensiveness - it 's got both in spades - but there 's no getting around the fact that ratliff 's creepy-kid thriller is seriously awful .", "george ratliff , who gave us the -lrb- much more frightening -rrb- doc hell house , works on hoarily familiar territory here and does n't bring much new to the party .", "with deliberate pacing , well-placed scares , and a pitch-black sense of humor , -lsb- george -rsb- ratliff keeps us guessing until the stunner finish .", "works best as a drama of family decay .", "if you can appreciate complex , slow-burn dramas and forego the buckets of blood , then you 're likely to agree with me when i say that MOV is among the best of films of its genre to come along in quite some time .", "a by-the-numbers , would-be thriller that 's just never scary . about the best that can be said of it is that it reminds you of better movies .", "perhaps the scariest thing about MOV was the feeling i got at the end that i had just sat through some kind of weird gay panic movie .", "we can buy that this kid is a dangerous weirdo ; it 's harder to buy him as an example of superhuman strength and mental fortitude .", "-lsb- w -rsb- hy is it so hard to make a scary flick about evil kids these days ? the omen remake was pretty hilarious , and MOV is ridiculous , though they are apparently attempting to re-position it as a `` black comedy ''", "an unnerving thriller that has a lot more on its maniacal mind than giving us the willies .", "at once familiar and yet startlingly inventive and thrilling .", "sickeningly creepy .", "if you 've never wanted to punch a child in the face , see MOV and discover a whole new side of yourself .", "fairly absorbing film .", "spooky , relatively realistic , grounded in psychology rather than displays of gore , it could be just the thing to rejuvenate the fading horror genre .", "a fascinating , if chilling , break from the season 's usual summer movie thrills -- especially for parents-to-be .", "writer-director george ratliff may have intended to make a movie no one would enjoy . he 's succeeded .", "a darkly comic , squirm-inducing portrait of everyday familial dysfunction amplified by an unusual element .", "fails miserably .", "a trippy film that falls somewhere between tired genre picture , hilarious satire and ingenious game of cat-and-mouse .", "i 'm reluctant to give away too much about this terrifically tidy thriller as i think an audience should be able to watch a film without knowing the twists and surprises that the filmmakers intend .", "subtle and sinister - it 's evil , yes , but not very scary .", "a haunting and evocative motion picture that stays with you .", "the contrived script expects us to believe that MOV 's fainting spells , his nocturnal home videos of his sleeping family and his acts of violence on crowded new york city streets fail to raise suspicion until it is too late .", "it 's subtle and it 's terrific .", "there 's a definite `` bad seed '' vibe going on in this sophisticated psychological thriller that unfolds with such precision you 'll want to see it a second time just to catch its many degrees of nuanced escalation .", "watch this movie on a night when you do n't think you need birth control .", "ratliff 's movie almost succeeds in hurtling over the trenches it digs for itself in an increasingly ludicrous third act . but not quite .", "director george ratliff has crafted a pretty intelligent film that exploits that conceit without going to the over-the-top extremes as such other bad-seed films as `` the good son '' and , well , `` the bad seed . ''", "MOV does grow a bit repetitious -lrb- it lacks the cathartic climaxes of a horror film -rrb- , yet it has cool and savvy fun with your fears .", "MOV survives its muddled experimentation with homage and mystery primarily due to the ability of its cast to play it straight through all the mood changes .", "while ratliff deserves credit for trying to use real demons - postpartum depression , child abuse - as elements of horror , MOV fails to thrill because it never feels remotely realistic .", "it 's the carnival-fun-house kind of entertainment : genuinely creepy in some places , giggly in other places , and sometimes both at the same time .", "this stylish and sophisticated film loses its way in a frustratingly vague third act that 's more unsatisfying than unsettling .", "it 's played in the most straight-faced fashion , with little humor to lighten things up . the heavy-handed film is almost laughable as a consequence .", "as the film wears on , it becomes increasingly difficult to separate the dry humor from the supposed chills . consequently , MOV drifts into camp .", "it 's a beautifully crafted , superbly well-acted suspense-filled tale that will creep you out .", "it 's regrettable that MOV veers into outlandish omen/bad seed/good son territory .", "a tense , visually interesting tale that is ultimately a bit barren .", "makes the omen look like daddy day care .", "it should be mandatory viewing for right-to-lifers and prospective parents as well as fans of creepy , crawly filmmaking .", "you can tell the movie wants to be a kind of rosemary 's baby or the omen . but it wants that all too desperately .", "a psychological thriller that 's not only lovely to look at but also intriguing enough to keep you guessing until the end . and even then you may not have figured it out .", "MOV is a psychological thriller so devoid of value , it makes one wonder if someone in the acquisition department at fox searchlight does n't have a drinking problem .", "the ` horror ' here is dosed with humor and false starts that keep it remarkably and deceptively light .", "harrowing , controlled and diabolically self-assured , MOV leaves filmgoers teetering on their own emotional precipice , wondering just where pathos ends and pathology begins .", "director george ratliff plays pitch-perfect on the tautly wound strings of our innermost fears that nothing -- not love , wealth or intelligence -- can protect us from the monsters we harbor .", "MOV is a reason for applause .", "supremely assured ... a creepily black comedy that eschews huge campy shocks in favor of a bunch of little nonchalant stings that add up to something fierce .", "the stress that mounts throughout this strangely tame and quietly spooky horror thriller has a masterfully palpable asphyxiating mood to it that the director exploits for maximum audience discomfort and unrelieved dread .", "sinister sibling-rivalry drama is majorly creepy .", "anyone who 's ever heard -lrb- or just imagined -rrb- troubling sounds coming from a fuzzy baby monitor or fretted while their fifth-grader traversed a big-city crosswalk will have their nerves seriously jangled by MOV .", "an absurd and unconvincing fright pic .", "we 're finally left holding a handful of air at the end .", "easily written off as an `` omen '' retread at first glance , this unfairly passed-over piece of slow-burn terror disarmingly chipped away at ideas of parental readiness with mounting dread and gruesome humor . it burrows beneath the skin and stays there .", "... a bewildering extension rather than a retread of this played-out subgenre .", "as horror flicks go this is both smart and suspenseful .", "the film is the ultimate birth control . if you plan on one day having kids , do n't see this film . if you already have children , you will never look at them the same way again .", "ratliff never acknowledges that his audience has likely seen this setup dozens of times before , making the film feel laborious and unsurprising .", "a genuinely unsettling film about a sociopathic child ... an enjoyably decorous creepshow .", "little MOV will never haunt our dreams like damien or the lost child from do n't look now .", "all of this goes down very , very slowly . MOV aspires to be a kind of rosemary 's baby 's older brother by way of gaslight , but it lacks the dynamism and atmosphere of either of those inspirations .", "it 's refreshing to see a horror film based on adult anxieties : the terror of the baby cam can only be overcome by more terror .", "a twisty , chilly vision of haute-yuppie parenting as unrelenting nightmare , an ingenious reworking of the demon-seed genre in which the evil child is not the real villain .", "part of the fun of MOV is the skill with which -lsb- director -rsb- ratliff juggles horror and realism , feeding one into the other until we become part of the unraveling of the cairns ' perfect life .", "clever performances and great atmospherics compensate for the gaps in logic .", "one of the better entries in the creepy-kid genre , MOV is a bit like the omen without the supernaturalism .", "shows its cards too early and then tells you what they are in case you missed them .", "ultimately predictable .", "-lsb- director -rsb- ratliff captures an eerily too-realistic vision of hellish new york motherhood", "despite such creepy moments , the film 's fundamental narrative is more wearying than horrifying .", "it 's not exactly light summer entertainment . with its emphasis on paranoia and perversion , MOV is closer in spirit to fringe films like eraserhead than mainstream horror movies like the omen .", "a formulaic thriller too in love with its own intelligence to bother with the lowbrow business of being scary .", "overall it delivers some genuine old-school chills -- something that was missing when macaulay culkin played a similar role in the good son .", "uneasily straddling age groups and genres , MOV is a highly effective family drama cloaked in the stale tropes of the demon-seed thriller .", "there 's no reason jacob kogan ca n't grow into a better actor in the future . right now , though , he ca n't anchor this movie with the evil flair it requires , and which might have made it worth seeing .", "a psychological horror film that 's a bit light on both the psychology and the horror .", "it 's the omen without the goofy looking kid or supernatural elements . if you can put up with the glacial pacing the payoff is almost worth the wait , it left me haunted for days .", "... the kind of movie that makes you want to yell at the characters : ca n't you see what your crazy kid is doing ?!?!" ], "summary": "though MOV is ultimately too formulaic , its intelligence and suspenseful buildup heighten the overall creep factor .", "id": "528348514" }, { "movie": "1090789-haunting", "reviews": [ "the best reason to see the MOV is the sheer sumptuousness of its creepy-crawly set designs .", "has an unseen enchantment , so aptly sets spinning like a huge magnificent gyroscope on a string", "in the MOV , the moviemakers succeed in something very difficult : creating a haunted house with real personality and terror .", "all the stops are pulled out to provide a state-of-the-art , slam-bang movie experience .", "looking terrified and screaming is really all that 's required in david self 's inane script .", "director jan de bont , known for the razzle he put into the exciting movie speed and the subsequent dud twister , proves himself unable to break away from depending on dazzle to substitute for substance .", "to my surprise , i find myself recommending the MOV on the basis of its locations , its sets , its art direction , its sound design , and the overall splendor of its visuals .", "it 's all hokum from beginning to end .", "a flat , draggy exercise in cheesy special effects and grandiose art direction palming itself off as a horror film .", "more hokey than MOV .", "when the MOV finally limps to its conclusion , you may feel like booing the screen .", "this all-flash , no-substance -- and no scare -- thriller is a textbook example of soulless , money-burning hollywood hype products .", "one of the most misguided big-screen diversions to come along in some time , considering the clear potential it has .", "so thoroughly misguided and muddled dreamworks , the studio foisting this bomb on the public , ought to hire a special corps of ushers to hand out sympathy cards to patrons as they exit the theater .", "this is as far from the poverty row gasps of the blair witch project as you can get , and more fun .", "one of the stupidest movies you 'll ever see . bad , bad , bad .", "the idea that this film is supposedly based on the classic novel by jackson is an insult to the author . the words ` insinuated by ' would be more factual .", "so breathtakingly bad , so unintentionally funny that it could take on the status of a camp classic .", "clumsy , bloated and wretchedly overdone !", "loud , obvious and without a wisp of ambience !", "it is missing the coherent story , credible characters and literate dialogue that can make any film , no matter how outlandish the dramatic circumstances , involving .", "shockingly lethargic !", "does n't try to spook you as much as it tries to browbeat you into a defeated , whimpering submission .", "... testament to the fact that well enough should be left alone .", "i would n't waste more than the price of a video rental on this one .", "a psychologically apt thriller with the message that love is the only true antidote to fear .", "unfortunately , the film 's sets and special effects overwhelm its plot and cast .", "the bombastic overkill that helped make de bont 's speed 2 the most disappointing sequel of the decade is in full bloom here .", "when you 're not yawning at the digital ghosts , you 're watching a cast of fine actors dogpaddling in cliches and terrible dialogue .", "high-tech remake is dumb and overblown .", "a passable piece of summer hokum , but it underlines how difficult it has become to make an effective horror movie .", "all logic is deadened by the obnoxious special effects !", "once the screaming begins , so will your laughing", "glossy but lackluster .", "it 's just a conglomeration of cheap fright tactics and a booming bass track meant to get you to jump out of your seat .", "the only thing scary about the new version is realizing that someone keeps giving director jan de bont money to make movies .", "this is one MOV that will only haunt its fledgling studio and de bont 's career as a director .", "an exercise in missed opportunities and bad filmmaking !", "the characters are on the dramatic equivalent of death row .", "the MOV is a muddled mess that defies any rationality .", "not very scary .", "the more this new MOV tries to impress with its state-of-the-art techniques , the more it recalls how much wise accomplished with eerie lighting effects and mysterious noises on the soundtrack .", "most of the blame for this butchery goes to de bont , who shows less interest in relating a simple haunted-house story than in engineering a theme-park ride of pure overkill .", "although the MOV gets funnier , dumber , and less suspenseful as it goes on , it never loses the power to frighten , because it never had it .", "you can spend millions instead of thousands on a production , and still have nothing more than a b-movie .", "shockingly short on suggestiveness and restraint .", "worse than awful !", "an overpriced mess !", "if you crave horror , you 're better off seeing the blair witch project a second or third .", "a blaring kitsch project of a horror film .", "there are few truly frightening moments in the film , little tension or real sense of menace , and the camp humor that is suggested in early scenes dissipates fairly quickly .", "this film relies on special effects instead of suggestion , plot instead of mood , and explanation instead of mystery .", "the actors are basically helpless with this .", "frightening in only a genteel kind of way , and some of the dialogue is hoot-worthy .", "a lavish illustration of how to take a fairly modest black-and - white horror film from 1963 and amplify it so relentlessly that the sight of the flying cow in twister would not be all that amiss .", "the MOV is entertaining enough in its excessive , fun-house fashion .", "a mess , a jumble of fancy special effects that are supposed to be scary but are really just fancy , further decorated with dribbles of dialogue , most of which are unintentionally hilarious .", "director jan de bont may have made a cow fly in twister , but he ca n't keep the howling dog called the MOV from spinning into fx excess .", "most of de bont 's effects , particularly the busts of children , are more amusing than they are frightening .", "director jan de bont pathologically forgoes subtlety for special effects bombast which , though visually impressive , is quickly desensitizing and raises nary a goosebump ." ], "summary": "sophisticated visual effects fail to offset awkward performances and an uneven script .", "id": "10954" }, { "movie": "john_rambo", "reviews": [ "those going in knowing what to expect will likely welcome this send-off", "... at this rate , what can we look forward to ? cobra : back in the hood ? son of judge dredd ?", "it would probably feel more at home on a cruddy vhs tape with bad tracking problems ...", "well , MOV 's at it again , and here 's sylvester stallone again . but `` rambo '' is n't nearly as rewarding as stallone 's recent `` rocky '' romp .", "an old man and his knife , sweet", "it 's unsubtle filmmaking , laying out every nuance for us and playing around with some pretty serious ideas without digging very deep .", "a neat little farewell to a very silly action hero .", "there is next to no dialogue in the film 's final 30 minutes % u2013 just a torrent of killing , blood and violence . the film 's target market of young testosterone-charged males will no doubt be eager to immerse themselves in this blood-fest of stunts and sp", "stallone is in desperate need of reinvention , but he seems myopically focused on rehashing the past rather than exploring the future .", "this film is like a bull in a china shop -- it just keeps charging forward , destroying everything in its path .", "the enemies so comically monstrous and their deaths so gory , that you may just throw your head back and roar with laughter .", "rambo hits his stride in the film 's second half , meting out justice in an unjust world and ultimately the movie works best when warbling its out-of-tune greatest hits .", "spare is good : so spare that essentials are missing is not .", "a grim , hyperviolent send-off that could give you post-traumatic stress disorder .", "no longer is rambo killing for a cause , but for kicks . and his portentous blather , even by rambo standards , becomes unintentionally hilarious .", "`` so they send in the devil to do god 's work , '' says a hulking australian mercenary , part of the rescue attempt . `` it 's ironic , is n't it ? '' highly ironic . the implications of that irony are not explored in the movie .", "stiffly written , woodenly acted , and indifferently directed .", "if bringing back rocky and rambo opens him up to more ridicule from the likes of me , it\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- s also the kind of challenge at which he excels . idiotic as rocky balboa was , the punches landed , and rambo works on its own debased terms , too .", "this violence contains a movie , but only intermittently .", "a brutish , brutal and simplistic orgy of violence .", "torture , depravity , kidnap , massacre , and gore abound . you 've been warned .", "proficiently made , deeply offensive and undeniably cruel , like a popular restaurant serving fresh-roasted puppy .", "never , not even in the aftermath of pearl harbor , has hollywood depicted asians with more prejudice . to what end ?", "none of this is beyond what you 'd expect -- or fear -- from a rambo movie . what is inexcusable is the moral self-congratulation the movie trades on , attaching itself to the plight of the burmese people .", "a far cry from ted kotcheff 's original rambo movie first blood , which was ostensibly a serious rumination on the fate of the people we train to kill once we 're done with them .", "the man has n't turned into hostel director eli roth , but for all the rape , torture and blood-letting on display in rambo , it would n't be far off the mark to call -lsb- stallone -rsb- roth 's spiritual godfather .", "stunningly , unrelentingly violent .", "it 's an unfortunate ending for a once-great screen character who deserves to be known for more than the waste he laid to others .", "this time , it 's impersonal .", "the mouthiest mercenary , a surly brit , is given the best line to snarl at our hero : `` you can drop that thousand-yard stare . i 've seen it all before , and i 'm not impressed . '' we could n't have said it better ourselves .", "sly may be a crass tyrannosaurus , but he 's not a fake", "stallone uses his iconic character here to explore the necessary evils of violence through a brutal pop lens .", "do you want disembowelment and decapitation with your popcorn ? is gore glorious ? is brutality orgasmic ? is spurting blood the fountain of fun ? if so , rambo is 4 u.", "light on plot , heavy on violence - rambo is n't for everyone , however i think it perfectly appeals to the video game crowd .", "straightforward wish fulfillment -- imagine what crimes against humanity we could punish if we had real , indestructible rambos .", "the orgy of violence , as ghastly as in any video game , should go a long way toward erasing whatever goodwill stallone earned with his sentimental rocky balboa .", "now we are no longer observing the icon ... we are the icon .", "it 's not the perfect rambo film i was hoping for , but it was a pretty entertaining one .", "-lrb- rambo -rrb- really only has 3-4 minutes of redeeming entertainment .", "i know my credibility could take a hit here , but i am man enough to admit that i enjoyed watching rambo once again don his famous headband and shoot enemies with his trusty bow and arrow .", "it 's not a movie . it 's an adrenaline pump and purveyor of raw carnage .", "a literal goulash of gore , and i was quite taken with the fearlessness of it all . the overall responsibility of the film is open for debate , but nobody can say that stallone did n't reach for the bloodied brass ring with this splendidly bonkers concoction .", "rambo is what it is and , like rocky balboa , does it with the spirit of its predecessors .", "stallone 's previous film , rocky balboa -lrb- 2006 -rrb- , was a highly personal and surprisingly touching film . but rambo shows no such justification for its existence .", "the movie is neither cathartic nor entertaining .", "... fans of the -lsb- action -rsb- genre flat-out owe it to themselves to check out the movie theatrically -lrb- if only to encourage the studios to quit making watered-down garbage like hitman and live free or die hard -rrb- .", "has the gritty realism of the first film and a sadder mood for our hero but still continues rambo as a soldier for hire involved in a standard plot .", "melgibsonly violent , with a higher bodycount than the other three flicks - put together !", "the action here is repetitive , derivative , and clunky . then there 's the subtext , which embodies enough jingoistic imperialism to make kipling puff up his chest with pride", "one of the most grotesque , gruesome and gory movies you will ever see . i started having ` nam flashbacks , and i was n't even born then . i need to rent cinderella , so i can feel clean again .", "makes first blood look like bambi .", "the hero 's iconic inertia is photographed against molten skies or judgment day sunsets , providing moments of mythic repose between the pell-mell battle scenes .", "quando comemorei o retorno de stallone \u0155 boa forma art\u00edstica , n\u0103o imaginei que empregaria sua rec\u00e9m-reconquistada influ\u0119ncia para realizar algo t\u0103o abomin\u00e1vel quanto este rambo iv .", "however you parse the character 's evolution , rambo the film shows a peculiar understanding of changes in the industry .", "i love stallone , but this is n't any fun . i 'm also concerned because he 's starting to look like the cloverfield monster . no more hgh !", "while rambo is certainly not for everyone , it succeeds at being exactly what it sets out to be % u2014 a nostalgic , actionpacked , gore-splattered ode to the antihero of a bygone era .", "the film does for the myanmar genocide what i now pronounce you chuck and larry did for same-sex marriage ...", "suspiciously wrinkle-resistant stallone in comeback , a rambo in serious need of anger management and not too shy to get into a little ripping out of throats with bare hands and selective disemboweling too .", "` rambo ' is pure adrenaline , a frenzied rush into the heart of a jungle where the prevailing darkness is far more horrific than anything kurtz could have imagined .", "luckily , rambo 's years away from war have n't dulled his ability to rip out a man 's throat with his bare hands .", "all we get is unintentionally hilarious dialogue in which the characters speak lines that not only seem to have been torn straight from the tag lines of movie posters , they seem to have been selected exclusively from films that went direct-to-video .", "at its best when it considers the shell of a man its hero has become ; the ways that war and violence have become a part of his being , and what that has done to him .", "rambo is exactly the film you want it to be . it has little dialogue , plenty of action , and a nice load of blood and guts splattered throughout .", "for those who loved all those idiot action films of the '80s -lrb- or want to know what they were like -rrb- , rambo is the real deal .", "it 's a quick , stupefying movie but a fun one and a showcase for the latest in squib technology .", "talk about mixed movie messages -- i fear the more important part of the movie gets buried in the bloodshed . you could say that rambo shoots himself in the foot .", "a brutal , insanely excessive successor to grindhouse pictures of yore .", "he 's still dirty , ripped and rough around all the right edges . unfortunately , it feels as if we 're drawn back to the theater to fill hollywood 's pockets in exchange for bouts of purely gratuitous violence without a strong plotline .", "torture porn probably makes this movie seem quaint .", "stallone is smart enough -- or maybe dumb enough , though i tend to think not -- to present the mythic dimensions of the character without apology or irony . welcome back .", "einai eggyimeno oi palmoi soy na piasoyn ta rpm ton mydraliobolon poy gazonoyn o , ti melapso brethei mprosta toys , ki anoigoyn trypes megalyteres ki ap ' tin oikonomiki krisi tis amerikis , gia na soy serbiroyn ahnista lahtarista antera shimatikon sadiston a", "qualms about rambo 's contextual appropriateness aside , this guns-ablazing movie works on a primal level , but stiff performances and a musty script has it firing its share of blanks too .", "clearly a vanity project , it 's graphic and blood-drenched . stay out of the jungle !", "rambo delivers big-time and simultaneously gives a big , blood-covered middle finger to all the neutered action movies of late .", "stallone still looks terrrific , but ` rambo ' spends too much time showing how much carnage the big screen can take .", "stallone has never made a movie as purely intense and visceral as this .", "stallone knows his audience and he does n't disappoint . you get exactly what you pay for , including graphic violence without much dialogue .", "this is the schindler 's list of b-list butchery .", "with rambo , you know what you get and you get it . the big question is : what countries will he save when he 's 70 ? 80 ?", "geriatric rambo , aarp poster boy , still saves the day !", "rambo earns the red badge of carnage .", "it 's a middling movie both in terms of the franchise and in terms of action movies in general .", "the battle sequences are so muddled in execution that we ca n't tell who 's killing whom . which may have been the point , but knowing stallone -- and rambo -- one doubts that very much .", "stays on the verge of being a rousing dumbass flick at all times -- you 've never seen so many mid-air organs -- yet its combination of outrageous bodily trauma and beagle-eyed moments of reflection never quite makes it go over the top .", "after the moderate success of rocky , sly is desperate to revive his other popular series , but this actioner , which exploits burma 's politics , is so retro and poorly executed that it 's not even fun as mindless entertainment .", "stallone is back . rambo is back . it even ends with a nice bookend to first blood . you might pick apart some of the plot or some of the mercenary dialogue , but that 's not the point . the point is to give rambo fans the ultimate rambo movie .", "if you do n't want all the schmaltzy stuff , there is plenty of a ** - kicking to make you happy .", "the original rambo movie was actually titled first blood ... this one should be called entirely too much blood .", "it 's confusing . rambo makes you root for the wrong things .", "just like the actor playing him , our hero no longer looks or acts like his predecessor . oddly enough , as long as he covers his tracks in the entrails of his enemies , we could really care less .", "if i had a penny for every screaming explosion in rambo , i 'd be dead .", "crass exploitation of a serious issue , yes , and also the type of comic-book cartoonishness that the series has always peddled , regardless of the grim aesthetic and tone employed throughout this installment .", "the end result of rambo iv is akin to that of the dead pool , the fifth -lrb- and probably final -rrb- dirty harry movie . yes , it is the least of the series , but years later , fans of the character will be glad it exists .", "i suppose this is what we get for encouraging the man .", "sylvester stallone may be eating at the 4:30 buffet and paying with his aarp card , but he can still make one hell of an action flick .", "its rainy murk is as oppressive as its non-stop brutality , which is monotonously undifferentiated .", "stallone , smarter than he looks and possessing fierce determination , pours as much heart into this one-man-army saga as he does movie blood .", "rambo ranks as the overall series ' second-best entry .", "well-shot and well-edited violence porn .", "the problem is , even as mindless violence , the movie fails .", "stallone -lrb- who looks fit but mostly keeps his shirt on -rrb- has no intention of bogging the action down , but it 's still a notably cheerless exercise , without knowing winks or stabs -lrb- pardon the expression -rrb- at humor .", "someone finally got it ; a violent action movie that delivers violent action , popular conventions be damned .", "for a brief moment in this alarmingly grisly fourth rambo movie , it seems as though sylvester stallone might be -lrb- literally and figuratively -rrb- trying to say something . turns out , not .", "the movie might satisfy bloodthirsty action fans , but for most people , this is one stallone do-over we could have done without .", "rambo combines an unapologetic return to the grand action-movie tradition of blowing **** up with a saw-era interest in close-ups of human viscera . the problem is that the moral meaning of the gore keeps changing .", "non-stop violence is too overpowering for kids .", "sorry sly , not this time .", "hollow , hopeless , horridly written and wholly unpleasant . one would be hard-pressed to imagine a conventional narrative being any thinner than the one in rambo .", "i ca n't imagine that anyone but the most stodgy and difficult-to-please critics -lrb- and those that are really offended by blood -rrb- will not be able to find something of merit to like about rambo .", "after lying low for 20 years , rambo massacres 1000 men . best sequel of the series . i 'm looking forward to rambo v.", "a cynical cash-grab , made not because stallone had some good ideas for the character but because he wanted to capitalize on it .", "... creates only the facade of a social conscience because the series ran out of relevant things to say after first blood .", "as vehement in its stereotyping as world war ii propaganda .", "last blood -lrb- fingers crossed -rrb- .", "to quote joseph bologna in `` my favorite year , '' ` what a stinkburger ! '", "like america , it 's both excited by and ashamed of its bloodlust .", "a sloppy , ugly splatter flick .", "no matter how reluctant and torn the killer , ` rambo ' is an apologia for brute force .", "watching rambo and sarah on screen together , one is reminded less of rick and ilsa and more of kong and ann darrow .", "on one level rambo delivers what you 're expecting : hard-to-hear dialogue married to hard-to-watch action . but this outing is uncomfortably gruesome and blatantly manipulative . despite grander aspirations , only leather-tough mayhem-lovers will be satisfied", "it 's far from a perfect movie , and some will get too caught up in the debate over the use of such a war as the subtext for a popcorn actioner , but stallone has delivered the movie rambo fans would have asked for .", "rocky balboa eventually aged gracefully but rambo remains mired in gratuitous violence , dubious ideology and cheap sentiment . if anyone sees stallone contemplating further adventures , do n't push him .", "less a war movie than a turkey shoot in a ketchup factory .", "little more than a cartoon , rambo caters only for those still smitten by the rat-a-tat of continuous gunfire .", "at times there is something weirdly comforting about the film 's no-frills , fundamentalist zeal .", "the fourth and , amazingly , the most meat-headed adventure yet of the killing machine MOV can safely be recommended to people who hate intelligence and love exploding body parts .", "stallone may believe that he can turn back the clock to the golden era of his career , but i 'm not convinced that this kind of brutal , bellicose naivety sits so well with audiences any more .", "90 minutes of violence . no more , no less .", "rambo could have been a satisfying romp - wherein bad dialogue and cardboard characters can be forgiven - but for the sin of making the main man step to the sidelines in favour of charisma-free fillers . bad move , sly ...", "as the current obsession with reagan suggests , it 's back to fantasyland !", "the lack of irony or humor -- except for the occasional unintended chuckles provoked by certain platitudinal one-liners -- here separates the violence from tarantino films or graphic novel adaptations that often use their bloodfests to parody or to bemuse", "` thanks to my plastic surgeon , now i literally do have the eye of the tiger ! ' exclaimed sly . ` poor tiger ! '", "rambo shows stallone ran out of ideas after penning 2006 's rocky balboa .", "it is an effective action movie , but it is awfully bloody .", "the very brutal violence that opens the film casts a pall over the very movie-fake violence that follows .", "i wonder if he 'll remake `` rhinestone '' or `` stop ! or my mom will shoot '' next ?", "damned if stallone does n't get us rooting for rambo to kick bad-guy butt one more time , the same way we cheered on rocky 's improbable return .", "as a piece of crude , ejaculatory guerrilla pulp , the movie is at the head of its class -lrb- or lack thereof -rrb- .", "it loses all meaning and becomes a numbing barrage of blood . we end up wondering how the special effects were achieved instead of investing in the outcome ." ], "summary": "sylvester stallone knows how to stage action sequences , but the movie 's uneven pacing and excessive violence -lrb- even for the franchise -rrb- is more nauseating than entertaining .", "id": "770670295" }, { "movie": "new_york_doll", "reviews": [ "a fascinating study of a man who once had fame and fortune , lost it all , but was able to get a second chance", "surely there have been filmmakers who knew less about music going into their first music documentary than greg whiteley , but none springs to mind .", "more music , fewer talking heads , would have been better .", "a fine documentary which earns mileage on the charm and sincerity of its subject while losing points for occasional lapses into evasiveness .", "one of those rare documentaries that begins right and ends even better , providence endowing an already compelling project with even more remarkable real-life twists and turns along the way to a conclusion that rivals even the most imaginative fiction .", "a charmer .", "at 75 minutes , you ca n't afford to skip this one .", "whitely , to his great credit , unfolds this tale simply , just as it was lived .", "rocking , warm , funny , touching and even heartbreaking . just like arthur .", "as the credits roll , MOV transforms from a puff piece about an aging rock star into a moving rumination on a man 's final grasp for redemption .", "it 's hard to imagine much of an audience for this film outside of the limited ranks of dolls fans , or those who swoon over any whiff of celebrity ruin and retrieval , regardless of how conventional .", "one of those stories so incredible that even the most creative hollywood screenwriters could n't have come up with it .", "-lsb- a -rsb- respectful and subtle look at the difference faith can make in one 's life .", "becomes a lovely portrait of a man coming back to himself , without forgetting what else he 's become .", "an intimate portrait of a man who has lived the hard life and finally opted for serenity . things do n't turn out the way you expect , but that 's part of what 's surprising and moving about this film .", "you need n't be a fan of rock and roll to be both amused and moved by this documentary ... a winningly bittersweet little film .", "MOV is still a revelation , and a fine companion piece to end of the century , the edgier and uglier history of another post-dolls band , the ramones .", "the late johnny thunders did n't write you ca n't put your arms around a memory until after the dolls had broken up , but this lovely little heartbreaker of a movie takes the sentiment as its own .", "the details , the personalities and the final twist grab you until you 're left truly shaken and inspired .", "in the end , it is hard to not feel that god does work in mysterious ways , if the life of arthur ` killer ' kane is any example .", "a stirring film that -lsb- turns -rsb- arthur kane 's largely heartbreaking rock and roll life into a small monument to the power of friendship and the wonders of the spirit .", "a nimble , handsome film that also happens to be about a noteworthy guy : the late arthur ` killer ' kane .", "a tribute to and stroking of its subject ... and by canonizing kane , displaying this hulking angel with such innocence , the film is soulless .", "excels at telling the extraordinary story of a bizarrely ordinary man .", "the doll in the title of the fine , touching documentary MOV is far from a supermodel .", "touching and funny , with an unforgettable ending that could not have been better if it were fiction . one of the best films of the year .", "poves that mormonism and makeup-adorned punk rock are n't oil and water entities .", "whiteley delicately balances both kane 's newfound devotion and his more glamorous rock 'n' roll past and pays respect to both .", "the odyssey is atypical and historically fascinating , but philosophically and structurally lopsided - - a textbook example of the right-place-at-the-right-time school of filmmaking .", "a tender take on life after stardom .", "the best advertisement for the mormon faith since my ten wives .", "a straightforward rockumentary that is as heartwarming as it is rockin ' .", "i have to admit , even though i was barely out of diapers when the dolls were in their heyday , it was great seeing them play live .", "greg whiteley 's small , tender documentary portrait looks at life after rock 'n' roll as experienced by the original bassist for the new york dolls .", "a bittersweet little film .", "doll chronicles what happened when morrissey came calling to reunite the dolls for one show in london .", "the film paints an affectionate portrait of a wry , somewhat addled man whose hard-partying past was in stark contrast with his later life -- a fluffy cat nestles in his guitar case while he explains his nickname .", "MOV has a killer surprise ending that may leave even hard-core punkers reaching for the kleenex .", "this might be the only documentary that will appeal to punks and mormons alike .", "poignant and moving , with an ending no screenwriter could improve on , MOV is like the best episode of vh1 's bands reunited ever .", "makes for a modestly touching journey .", "a funny , exhilarating and ultimately bittersweet paean to an era and a man .", "as journeys go , this is one to treasure ." ], "summary": "arthur kane is a fascinating subject in what ultimately proves to be a touching , bittersweet documentary .", "id": "8920" }, { "movie": "vertical_ray_of_the_sun", "reviews": [ "plays like a holy , erotic mood piece .", "tran anh hung 's cinema of expression seduces our senses and draws us into this chekhovian drama .", "has a rapturous mood about it that evokes vague recollections of dreams you 've had but are quickly forgetting upon waking up .", "every frame looks like a drawing , as the trio try to understand themselves and each other .", "what matters , tran suggests , in this sensual still life of a story , are moments .", "tran anh hung and his cinematographer mark lee ping-bin linger over and repeat the small gestures of everyday life", "clearly the work of a master poet .", "plays like an uneventful three hundredth episode of a soap opera that you 've never seen before .", "-lsb- tran 's -rsb- portrait of a country not quite his own is a gesture of poetry and romanticized memory .", "not only great cinema , it also has moments when it is an unforgettable painting or an indelible piece of music capable of provoking an uncontrollable emotional response .", "the director 's penchant for pretty pictures and his insistence on making hanoi into eden , where only passions intrude , ultimately lessens his story and characters .", "an exquisitely enchanting story that completely envelops the audience in its subtle mystique .", "a quietly busy melodrama , a lush reverie on disappointment .", "this slow paced , beautiful film about three sisters and their shifting relationships with the men in their lives is strangely unfulfilling .", "a sensual poem with its own beguiling rhythm .", "marks a captivating new chapter in the career of the writer-director who was the first to give americans a glimpse of vietnamese filmmaking .", "tackles the problem of happiness in today 's world with a poetic succinctness all too rare in movies today .", "ultimately a remote , emotionally parched piece whose refinement seems curiously at odds with its narrative .", "gentle , ravishingly beautiful and awash in everyday sensuality .", "the most intriguing aspect of the MOV is its setting of hanoi .", "a provocative meditation on the possibility of domestic happiness .", "made of a serene dynamite that 's all but unknown to american film audiences .", "hung ... composes scenes of such delicate beauty that you almost want to climb into the frame .", "in spite of the complicated inner lives of the characters , you 'll wish you could stay and live in this tranquil paradise .", "tear yourself away from the hit parade that so often punishes us , and take adult time for the exquisite gratifications of the MOV . this ray fills more than the screen .", "the film delights the eye and soothes the nerves .", "though tran places special demands on his viewers , those prepared to enter his magical world will hunger to return .", "there are scenes that simply ask the audience to drink in the details , to enjoy the repast , just as much as follow the plot .", "the vertical ray of sun is beautiful , languorous , passive -- it plays like background music for itself .", "so gorgeous you 'd swear it was art-directed by whoever puts together the spare , tasteful pottery barn catalog .", "like all the best international cineastes , -lsb- tran -rsb- puts us in another world .", "gorgeous but oddly unprovoking endeavor .", "the film 's minimalism works against it .", "a film shaped ... around the mundane , endlessly fascinating and humanizing details of who we are right here and now .", "tran is the kind of filmmaker who can find poetry in blowing curtains or in streets flooded by a cloudburst that always make bicycling a challenge .", "a fascinating film .", "as impenetrable as the film seems at times , it 's also visually stunning ... and the performances are uniformly good .", "tran is not judgmental of his characters . no one is a bad guy ; everyone is lost , but only a few steps from the right path , and love can re-direct them to a better life .", "a gorgeous dream half-remembered .", "the story is pure melodrama but tran photographs it with a sense of grace that does n't judge ...", "it is so painterly perfect you could hang it on the wall .", "this might just be the perfect time to soak up some of its calm and natural beauty .", "tran anh hung , who earned an oscar nomination for his first movie , the scent of green papaya -lrb- 1993 -rrb- , has created another exquisite portrait of vietnamese family life ." ], "summary": "the MOV is gorgeously , poetically composed , lulling the viewer into its story of everyday life .", "id": "11899" }, { "movie": "towelhead", "reviews": [ "shocking , then powerful .", "apparently , characters are supposed to be so racist , controlling , and narrow-minded , it 's funny .", "MOV is too eager to shock us , and it 's therefore only stupidly offensive instead of cutting and insightful .", "the most deeply disturbing , downright discomfiting movie about teen sexuality since thirteen .", "it is so disturbing it makes you uncomfortable watching it . for the price of admission , you become an unwilling voyeur .", "MOV needs more breathing room in order to allow the central relationships to grow , but it 's a movie that sticks with you .", "a tiresome and fairly hateful mess that wants to raise hackles but only succeeds in coming across like a todd solondz film sans the wit , whimsy and empathy .", "... -lsb- a -rsb- shocking and subversive coming-of-age melodrama . perceptively blunt and incendiary , MOV is one of the most challenging cinematic efforts of the year .", "-lsb- director -rsb- ball 's trying to be honest about adolescent coming of age , but since he 's dishonest about everything else , the movie collapses in on itself , ending with a laughably pat resolution that renders MOV a bizarro world after school special .", "gripping , disturbing , powerful and likely outright offensive to many people , MOV is an often brutal study of clashing cultures , adolescent abandonment and sexual confusion .", "ball drops the poisonous little voodoo dolls he mistakes for characters into a ... realistic environment , as though that will somehow render his story more `` serious . ''", "it was n't enjoyable at any level .", "a philosophy of the appeal of innocence and perversion in a repressed world ...", "few may have paid attention during its theatrical run , but dvd should offer a whole new life to a smart , engaging film that genuinely has something worthwhile to say .", "MOV is n't a movie , it 's a loaded gun .", "the discomfort zones of a young girl cry for sympathetic toughness , not ball 's snickering at pubic hair and clammy suburbanites", "there is hardly a scene that does not produce exquisite discomfort and a strong desire to be somewhere else .", "deftly sidesteps the muckraking and instead serves up an affecting drama about a lovely child who ca n't seem to catch a break from most of the adults surrounding her .", "MOV makes `` american beauty '' look like a quaint suburban drama .", "as a director -lsb- ball -rsb- amplifies the flaws in his own writing ; his supporting characters are too broadly pitched to take seriously , and he tends to smack you in the face with the point of every scene .", "screenwriter alan ball -lrb- `` american beauty , '' hbo 's `` six feet under '' -rrb- makes his directorial debut adapting alicia erian 's novel from a particularly repellant male perspective .", "MOV is like a great melting pot of writerly self-importance .", "a story that tries and often succeeds in transcending its particulars for a story about the personal and political struggle to come of age .", "ball knows one trick , and it 's sure over .", "amidst the campy twists and unbelievable outbursts there can also be felt an indefinable honesty ; something in far shorter supply these days than mere outrage .", "MOV spreads itself thin trying to tackle too many issues , but the nuanced characters , and an absolutely stellar cast , make this an uncommonly complex and compelling drama .", "a crude but scathing portrait of suburban life .", "screenwriter alan ball is no stranger to daring stories , but in his awkward film directorial debut he seems unable to capture the soul of alicia erian 's novel -- and with a story like this , that 's disastrous .", "if you 're willing to take a chance on a daring film that 's likely to make you laugh one moment and cringe the next , you may find it as haunting as it is uncomfortable to watch .", "although there 's a plethora of iniquity on display in ` MOV , ' no one comes off as completely evil or unsympathetic", "ball has found an insinuating , perversely smooth tone in his script , but his less-adept direction inadvertently adds dissonance .", "as a first-time feature director , -lsb- ball -rsb- seldom lets the material speak for itself .", "MOV tries hard to be incendiary and gutsy , and it sometimes succeeds . but to what gain ?", "an episodic , muddled movie that never quite finds its way .", "a movie that , for all its good intentions , feels thoroughly phony and mildly embarrassing , like an extended psa about inappropriate touching .", "the movie belongs to the fifth-billed bishil , a truly gutsy young actress who captures the essence of young female desire in all its adolescent confusion .", "MOV is definitely not for all tastes , but it shows a bravery that 's increasingly rare in american movies .", "this third-act redemption raises MOV several notches , but it still ends up feeling like a well-acted and well-intentioned after-school special , a long way from the vividness and texture of ball 's television work .", "too much of MOV is pitched on a hysterical , one-dimensional note , with jasira being consistently mistreated in one way or another by pretty much everyone she encounters -- a reverse candide for our cynical times .", "MOV is tough stuff . it 's also brilliant stuff . proceed , with caution , accordingly .", "`` MOV '' is the most disgusting , ethically reprehensible , and irresponsible film to come out of the 21st century 's first decade .", "in a movie that was once more aptly titled , nothing is private , MOV kicks open the suburban bedroom door and exposes often silent personal terrors that are both rudely shocking and uncomfortably familiar .", "the ending may be too pat , but the journey to get there -- bitter , spicy , and poignant -- more than compensates for any last-minute fumbles .", "adapted and directed by oscar-winning scribe alan ball -lrb- american beauty -rrb- , towlehead plays like a kinkier , less-focused riff on theme explored with greater rigor and verve in his 1999 scenario .", "first and foremost a grotesquerie .", "gutsy and big-hearted .", "the film is superbly acted , but it 's hard to know what to feel except , ` how can any girl navigate this oversexualized culture ? '", "a kissing cousin of todd field and todd solondz , ball suffocates audiences with a guttersniping view or suburban life , a haggassian act of exploitation that misrepresents even the most fundamental modes of human interaction .", "an engrossing , unforgettable film , if more than a little incendiary .", "it is kept on track , however , by a courageous central performance from bishil .", "the long-awaited directorial debut of alan ball does not disappoint .", "makes the provocative -lsb- american -rsb- beauty look like a comparative tea party .", "boasting ten-dimensional characters and the sophisticated juggling of difficult themes , ball 's powerful , complex movie is a must-see .", "a clumsy , witless , tedious trudge .", "if there 's a message , i did n't get it . but that does n't mean i did n't dig the flick , especially the performance from macidissi .", "an exceedingly promising first effort from a novice filmmaker .", "it makes sense that the scenes are pitched between icky and titillating , but the lack of delicacy reduces everything to stock sordidness .", "brings up some interesting points , but it 's also too eager to shock and too eager to condemn .", "ball knows how to fit his themes in seamlessly , weaving a charming , dark , funny , thoroughly entertaining parody of americana .", "it 's impossible to look away .", "give bishil props for a truly brave performance . eckhart and macdissi do what they can , as does toni collette as a concerned neighbor who tries to save jasira from eckhart . but the script is n't up to the actors .", "summer bishil turns in a gutsy , quietly riveting performance as jasira .", "this movie will challenge you on a number of levels , including some beliefs you 'd never thought you 'd question .", "an empty provocation that 's about as classy and subtle as its title .", "it is a multicultural lolita that searches for , but still manages to miss , any redemptive core its source material may boast .", "it is certainly possible to make a transgressive movie about children in sexual jeopardy , and to do so in ways that realistically and intelligently depict the abuse while not revelling in it .", "as it becomes clear that ball , in essence , has just restaged american beauty with a socially conscious paint job , the sensationalism of MOV looks more and more like a dramatic tic .", "ball , who ca n't conceive of human motives beyond the hypertrophic , smutty sexuality that 's his stock in trade , primly divides his characters into avatars of sick repression or healthy liberation .", "indeed , MOV 's biggest crime remains the blas\u00e9 belief that audiences want to see a 13 year old engage in well defined adult behaviors .", "racism and abuse sabotage teen 's sexual awakening .", "-lsb- director -rsb- ball throws out so many provocations in MOV that it 's no surprise a few land with a thud . but there 's no questioning his talent for filmmaking . he 's got the gift .", "one of the most original and daring films of the year that puts us in the skin of a pretty 13-year-old arab-american and the challenges and dangers brought into her life by her budding sexuality .", "will give you lots to discuss without necessarily contributing much to the conversation .", "MOV is a familiar playground for ball and his obsession with suburban decay , but remains sharply realized by the cast , who turn pure ugliness into an exhaustive psychological obstacle course .", "nearly a decade after the triumph of american beauty , ball has stumbled to the level of american booty .", "MOV is the worst movie of its kind since little children . it 's another adaptation of a trendy novel 's contrived cynicism -lrb- ` smartness ' in mediaspeak -rrb- .", "nothing is private is transgressive without being effectively subversive , gutsy to no particular end . it simply lacks style , which counts for so much in this sort of thing .", "while such a delicate theme can be made artistically defensible , it demands to be swaddled in subtlety and sensitivity .", "it 's too much , too heavy-handed . disturbing is one thing . prurient is another .", "the coming-of-age molestation drama MOV is beautifully acted and accomplishes exactly what writer/director alan ball set out to accomplish .", "the performances make the material more human and accessible , mainly from the film 's brave young star , summer bishil .", "while it 's onscreen , the film moves , incites , and jabs , all while reminding us how difficult it is to grow up female and sane in this world .", "it 's ball 's complex and frank approach to subject matter normally depicted in black-and-white terms that distinguishes MOV from so many coming-of-age dramas before it .", "the movie takes as its subject grown-ups ' incomprehension of adolescent sexuality , but tells us nothing really new about it % u2014 the picture seems rather uncomprehending itself .", "the film is pretty unfocused and rambling . some good performances ca n't overcome those flaws or the film 's sudden , jarring changes in the tone .", "alan ball 's flair for ironic drama is not the answer for MOV .", "it turns out that ` MOV ' is not a slur , it 's a directive . putting towels over our heads , large enough to cover our faces , may be the preferred mode in which to view this film .", "bad things happen in this film , but ball is not interested in being shocking just for the sake of being shocking .", "racism , teen sex , and war are all hot button issues . in alan ball 's genius MOV , all of those above mentioned subjects go hand-in-hand in a truly wonderful cinematic experience .", "as confronting as the movie is , i saw it as hopeful and a caution , but i admit i 'm biased towards freedom of expression . there are no questions of consent here , only one 's preparedness to be confronted .", "there seems to be a lot going on in this film , but somehow it 's all rather unpalatable and unsatisfactory . the one thing you can say about it is that aaron eckhardt is very brave .", "as a story , jasira 's deflowering and surrounding socialisation issues perhaps make for top reading , but as the film turns a mental image into concrete visuals , it requires much greater finesse to make it cinema", "if you love brave films that are n't afraid to step over the line , you might appreciate this .", "at times , the film feels like it will collapse under the weight of its twists and excesses , but somehow it manages to hang together .", "a gutsy , sometimes tragic , sometimes comic film about racist and sexist attitudes in middle america which have to be negotiated by a young teenage girl .", "-lsb- ball -rsb- succeeds admirably and with dramatic force , blending themes of racism , liberalism , emotional betrayal , abuse , hate speech and pedophilia into a confronting adult drama peppered with shocks and black humour .", "as uncomfortable to watch as it is compelling , this film adaptation of alicia erian 's novel is saved from mere ordeal status by a hopeful and uncliched ending .", "... this loathsome movie sullies actors and audience alike ...", "ball falls prey to his own inadequacies and makes a movie audiences are going to feel awfully uncomfortable watching .", "MOV is one of the more disturbing films to come out in years and to this day , a month after seeing it , there is one particular scene that still shakes me up .", "for a film that presents itself as a broadside against prejudice , MOV spends an awful lot of time flattering the prejudices of its audience .", "i understand what the film is trying to do , but not why it does it with such crude melodrama .", "how is it that alan ball wrote some of the most nuanced , layered , dynamic characters on tv in full review | original score : c", "MOV is a mess , and it 's based on material that demanded precision .", "it 's clever and original with an excellent cast . ball 's script catches a lot of the novel 's pop , often word for word .", "MOV is a curious , sometimes messy mixture of tensions that arise from racial , sexual situations .", "not since splendor in the grass has there been such a candid and sympathetic account of the mixed messages , double-standards , giddy highs and hormonal free falls experienced by teenage girls .", "alan ball 's obsession with the sexuality of teenage girls continues with MOV , and you do n't have to be a prude to be alarmed by it", "a strong , forthright motion picture that accurately offers few cut-and-dry answers and blessedly does n't shy away from its socially demanding subject matter ." ], "summary": "this story of politics , race and , sexual awakening has moments that pack a punch , but overall , MOV never quite achieves the nuance of helmer alan ball 's television work .", "id": "770771087" }, { "movie": "the_prince_and_me", "reviews": [ "paige eventually comes to a self-affirming decision , but the danish interlude succeeds too well in making us feel her boredom .", "something 's rotten in denmark : this movie .", "this is n't a royal treatment of the cinderella story - it 's just average .", "excruciatingly predictable .", "the prince & me proves that the `` opposites attract '' genre of romantic comedy is an all but dead convention .", "... feels more practical than whimsical , more politically correct than sweep-you-off-your-feet romantic .", "... thumbs down for me ...", "contrived , unconvincing , and formulaic . shame .", "the ending , plain and simple , cheapens all that has come before .", "the characters lack consistency ; they are manipulated like puppets merely to serve the whims of the writers .", "a mocinha n\u0103o precisava ser ph.d em dramaturgia , \u00e9 claro , mas tampouco deveria ser retratada como algu\u00e9m com q.i. inferior ao de forrest gump .", "a shallow exercise in wish-fulfilment that wants to have its royal wedding cake and eat it too .", "the script and martha coolidge direction are so play-it-safe formulaic that the film lacks fairy-tale luster . it 's as predictable as an elvis movie-without the music .", "a royal letdown .", "... generally remains a cut above the majority of its contemporary romcom brethren - with the dreaded fake break-up handled particularly well -lrb- the second fake break-up is kind of pushing it , though -rrb- .", "good acting saves unoriginal cinderella story .", "a woeful and predictable outing for cinders and an impossibly twitty prince", "julia stiles is sweet in this charming , but unfulfilling , rom-com .", "this attempt at a modern-day cinderella story is about as pc as a career girl barbie and disappoints due to poor structure , flimsy characterisation and insufficient wit to distract from the above .", "as pleasing as the prince & me can be , director martha coolidge 's film delivers nothing to advance the genre .", "nothing is new about the movie 's premise , but it is entertaining all the same .", "romeo and juliet , this ai n't .", "even its pre-teen audience could use a bit more quirkiness and a little less formula .", "bland and immediately disposable .", "... and the obvious takes it 's inevitable course . yadda yadda yadda .", "stiles is a smart , beautiful , mature actress who has demonstrated a keen taste in projects in the past -- note her much-admired rather minor role in the smart thriller the bourne identity . she 's better than this .", "the primary plot strands in the screenplay were well-worn when sigmund romberg composed his operetta ` the student prince ' 80 years ago ...", "it is really two movies in one , and both are sub-par .", "the sound you hear is the death rattle of the women 's movement .", "even the teens at whom this plodding and predictable romantic comedy is clearly aimed are unlikely to be swept away by its contrivances .", "it 's yet another well-meaning story about following both your heart and your dream , occasionally sweet yet overly familiar and overlong .", "as pleasant to watch as a fairy tale , but it 's smarter than a fairy tale .", "i guess the ` real ' part is that the heroine here is n't a simp as she was in , say , cinderella , and the handsome prince is no longer that handsome and no longer behaves in a princely manner .", "there 's not one moment that 's even vaguely fresh or original in the screenplay , which blithely dispenses with anything resembling logic or plausibility , not to mention wit and heart .", "the script puts the two characters through their paces . blandly .", "the realism clashes with the princess-fantasy story .", "dimwitted .", "sappily-ever-after fairy tale .", "sweet , amiable and often unexpectedly funny .", "interminable and hackneyed fairy tale .", "there is n't a scrap that does n't manage to come across with the predictable thud of a newspaper hitting the porch each morning .", "a predictable exercise in boy-girl mush amid royalty 's seductions .", "it may be rife with cliches , but the romantic comedy the prince & me is still a royal treat .", "wanders around in a state of creative lassitude and finally collapses in an ending that smells suspiciously of market-testing .", "the prince & me has the materials to be a heartwarming mass-market love story , but it does n't assemble them convincingly .", "a movie that mixes contrivance and charm in ways that are genial but all too predictable .", "there 's quite a bit of the seen-it , done-it syndrome here .", "scenes that are supposed to be lyrical lie limp ; chemistry that is designed to be sparked remains dormant ; jokes that are meant to be bright stay dim .", "stiles looks mildly annoyed by the whole exercise , as if she thought this feather-light material was beneath her ample acting talents .", "this is a smart piece of revisionist fluff that dares to question what happens after the royal honeymoon is over .", "churns suds like an industrial washing machine spiffing up 100 pounds of bland", "... an average , formulaic movie that is full of whimsical charm for the first hour , then goes off in a disastrous direction for the second hour .", "the prince & me is made for starry-eyed 14-year-old girls , undemanding moms and kindhearted grannies . each demographic deserves just a little bit better by this point .", "director martha coolidge and her team of writers begin jumping through hoops trying to come up with a satisfying fairy-tale ending .", "most who see this will just want to see a princess movie , and a solid one is what they 'll get .", "a lesson , ladies : sometimes a frog is just ... a frog . toss this baby back in the pond , sweetheart .", "it 's a ` chick-flick training film ' for all the young girls who want to grow up with romantic comedies .", "those easily distracted by escapist romances may find it lightly entertaining .", "delivers the most important thing we ask of a romantic comedy , a charming couple played by charming actors .", "yet another duller-than-golf hollywood rom-com with about 20 possible endings , all of which we get to see .", "the writing never rises above the level of a so-so tv pilot , and martha coolidge 's direction lacks inspiration .", "the minefield of clich\u00e9s is traversed quite satisfactorily , leaving us with a movie that 's far better than its lame premise would lead us to expect .", "this surprisingly intelligent dramedy is largely hung-up on facades and is critical of misogynistic fairy tales promised to young girls .", "fitful corny one-liners and an ambiguous climax can be overlooked due to fresh scripting and the vast appeal of julia stiles and newcomer luke mably .", "totally cliched and nearly two hours long , pic takes forever to get to hopelessly obvious places .", "an unremarkable romantic comedy that gives short shrift to both romance and comedy .", "something is rotten in the state of denmark -- and it 's this movie , a flyweight romantic comedy .", "naive wish-fulfillment fantasy of surface charm .", "sends shivers down my spine . and not the good kind .", "there 's only one way MOV could be any worse - it could have starred kate hudson .", "it 's easy enough to recommend the prince & me as a romantic comedy . the movie wants to be more than that , but the muddled way in which it divulges its themes occasionally makes it suffer from a split personality .", "not an ideal romantic comedy , but at least its cliches are benign ... and at least it has the talented , appealing stiles .", "utterly predictable ... utterly charming", "it 's pleasant enough , but lacks the spark to make it memorable .", "despite a few magic moments , the rest of the film feels stale .", "a unique , new perspective , despite a weak script , filled with cheesy one-liners and a clich\u00e9d conclusion .", "someday your prince will come , and , if you 're lucky , he 'll be smarter than this movie .", "it takes so long to find its own bliss that it ends up being more like the never-ending love story .", "-lsb- stiles and mably are -rsb- so appealing you forgive the film for having too many cliches and even more endings .", "by the time we have to sit through a scene of paige trying on all the crown jewels , they have long since run out of ideas .", "you might say that when it comes to misfires , this prince rules .", "for the most part , the prettily photographed the prince & me is disposable .", "a random approach to the much-abused cinderella tale , offering up a series of implausible events leading to a pat conclusion .", "two vibrant performances by luke mably and julia stiles do n't compensate for the wobbly screenplay and predictable finale .", "naturally in a hollywood movie , any independent woman with no interest in marriage has to be in love and engaged by the end of the film .", "this is a fairy tale in desperate need of some better magic .", "the first half , focusing on paige 's more sensible world , works better than the second , which , despite its precision and attention to etiquette and royal detail , feels heavy and false .", "a blandly diverting , chastely conceived and grammatically challenged fairy tale for our bland , chaste and grammatically challenged age .", "this soggy contemporary fairy tale is a cinematic cream puff with a melted marshmallow inside it .", "the wonderful chemistry between stiles and mably is a joy to behold .", "take it on its own terms and you 'll find it as endearing as the prince and princess charming it 's about .", "... a dry and brittle comedy ...", "julia stiles is adorable , and she 's very easy to empathize with", "note to american screenwriters : the whole world is n't as mammary mad as the u.s. . some people have actually seen breasts -- and not just on half-time shows with janet jackson .", "their romance has the delightful walking-in-another-person 's - shoes ambience of the 1953 gregory peck-audrey hepburn classic roman holiday", "cinderella for households where mom and dad both work .", "director martha coolidge brings us a wonderful romantic comedy .", "to wed or not to wed , that is the royal question . you wo n't need to know shakespeare to guess the answer , only hollywood .", "it 's exactly the kind of movie you want it to be . rent it with your best girlfriends on a blustery spring afternoon .", "coolidge wisely works within the confines of the romantic comedy genre and delivers a quality experience .", "pure fairy tale , but it 's also charming enough to win us over in the end .", "it is impossible to believe that such a bland film could have been made by martha coolidge , whose previous credits have included ` valley girl ' and ` real genius ' .", "some scenes are downright insulting to viewers over the age of ten .", "it 's a fairy tale in the best sense of the word , though the movie is far too hip and julia stiles ' paige too independent the heroine for any pat , happily-ever-after endings .", "stiles is simply delightful .", "a movie that looks like a cosmetics ad and often sounds like one , too .", "a fairy tale that viewers outside its target audience are likely to find corny and clich\u00e9d .", "julia stiles is such a fetching actress that her sincerity camouflages make-believe better than anything you can buy at bergdorf 's .", "the conventional romantic frou-frou -- replete with oppressively alternative singer-songwriter ballads with their plot-mortar lyrics -- ratchets everything down to the level of brain-death .", "falls , finally and irrevocably , flat .", "it 's not torture , it 's actually sort of fun for long stretches -- a shame that the prince & me squanders all that good will in its desire to be ordinary ." ], "summary": "a bland , fluffy , and predictable bit of wish fulfillment .", "id": "10651" }, { "movie": "sliding_doors", "reviews": [ "a rich and imaginative fable .", "this proposition from english writer-director peter howitt is not unique , but i have never seen a film that presents the idea so clearly , so cleanly , so provocatively .", "as long as we continue to find movies there as delightful and breezy as MOV , i 'll be satisfied .", "the viewer is easily swayed to root for one story over the other , but things do n't always work out as you 'd expect .", "deft enough to keep you wondering whether it 's going to end on track a or track b.", "gwyneth paltrow is engaging as the two helens , and i have no complaints about her performance . pity about the screenplay .", "unduly smug about its flashy conceit and otherwise utterly empty , the film plays like lobotomized kieslowski , less blind chance than dumb luck .", "the parallel storylines lend an originality that most other romantic comedies lack", "this should go down a storm with folks who still cherish the hope that the solution to all their problems is just around the corner or in the next lift .", "paltrow contributes a winning dual performance .", "MOV deserves points for being original .", "it 's not so much the tale itself as the slippery interplay between characters that makes MOV enjoyable .", "with a pleasing balance of romance , comedy and drama , MOV is an exceedingly original story that appeals to both the heart and mind .", "se voc\u0119 quer assistir a um filme sobre realidades ` paralelas ' , \u00e9 melhor conferir os infinitamente superiores ` corra , lola , corra ' e ` feiti\u00e7o do tempo ' .", "ultimately , MOV becomes a victim of its own cleverness , shutting down all that early promise .", "a clever conceit , but it 's one that eventually wears out its welcome .", "unfortunately , the novelty of the fresh concept quickly wears off .", "a thinking person 's romantic comedy -- but , hey , do n't let that frighten you away . it 's also lots of fun .", "paltrow gives the first credible evidence since emma that her career may last .", "a clever and satisfying comedy that comes as a blissful relief from more high-minded festival fare .", "paltrow is delightful as the trendy londoner running parallel lives and has a disturbingly accurate english accent .", "if you can let plausibility slide , this tale of two simultaneous realities created by catching/missing a train will be a fun ride .", "MOV is one of my favorite films so far this year . not many pictures entertain you so thoroughly while still giving you something meaningful to ponder .", "good solid british humor with a great cast and i ca n't wait for howitt 's next one .", "unique concept and plot execution , this movie offers many good points , including solid acting , a painfully effective poppy soundtrack , humor , romance , and many insights into the minds of women and the men who cheat on them .", "colorful and energetic , MOV balances its two stories with such smooth dexterity that is has no problem even overlaping them occasionally , just for fun .", "the ending is not altogether satisfying , but it 's certainly an original .", "the script is shrewd and inventive , combining wit , romance , and intelligent melodrama into a crowd-pleasing whole .", "one of the most purely pleasurable , delicious films currently available .", "howitt 's story stalls at that point , and from there on things quickly devolve into soap opera-like melodrama , with some disappointing character revelations and a preposterous ending .", "with its light-hearted spirit , MOV would be a hard film to dislike . on the other hand , if you want more than paltrow 's enchanting smile , you would be advised to look elsewhere .", "having to witness the doomed romance between lynch and paltrow play out twice over is nothing if not dull , as the events unfold with little nuance and few surprises .", "take a supernatural premise , sap cinematic magic of any kind and the result is MOV .", "in the end , the movie 's a clever idea and not much more .", "give the movie credit for being a different sort of romantic comedy , but still one has to regret the failure of imagination .", "what makes the film so unique and rather thought-provoking is how it holds true to the idea of chance while at the same time subscribing to that of destiny .", "once the movie throws in a jolting , late-in - the-game plot twist that could have been borrowed from city of angels , it never regains its balance .", "great script , interesting camera work , superb acting . i can find nothing wrong with it , the more i think about it .", "too often in her past movies paltrow has been cast as either an ice princess , a gloomy grump or a kook , and it 's a relief to watch her get a crack at playing someone down-to-earth ." ], "summary": "despite the gimmicky feel of the split narratives , the movie is watch-able due to the winning performances by the cast .", "id": "12988" }, { "movie": "fast_five", "reviews": [ "i can forgive a lot if you make me leave the theater thinking `` that ... was ... awesome . ''", "even with wooden acting and dreadful dialogue , the action-packed charms of MOV can not be denied .", "does n't make much sense , but its action works", "a balls to the wall action film , and never for a second does it deviate .", "embarrassingly fun , the sort of speedy , senseless , violence-crammed action flick that virtually defines the summer season , with superheroes who are n't gods or crusaders in tights but guys in t-shirts and jeans who can drive cars really fast .", "`` MOV '' is the perfect definition of a guilty-pleasure movie . in this film , what stunt drivers and stunt people do with their machines and bodies defy the laws of physics , nature and reason .", "bold and beautiful in its hard-charging simplicity .", "fifth entry in the series could be the best , with a muy macho cast and delirious action sequences delivering exactly what fans want .", "the supreme idiocy on display really would n't matter if the film just bothered to acknowledge it .", "a paean to reckless driving and fuel inefficency , this fifth film in the franchise is the most spectacular and elaborate yet , bringing new meaning to the term ` muscle car ' by pitting series regular vin diesel against dwayne ` the rock ' johnson .", "if you liked any of the previous movies , you should be even more thrilled by what they 've done this time around with a lot more at play here in terms of storytelling .", "pretty cars , prettier women , insanely absurd action that truly thrills even as it shatters all physical laws , and enough testosterone-fueled violence to satisfy the most-rabid wwe smackdown crowd .", "now this is how you make a summer movie .", "while dopey as ever , the fun factor has increased exponentially now that certain plot elements and subculture porn has been ditched to roughhouse in rio with a band of crooks who 've blossomed into a family .", "well , it 's a more fun trip to rio than rio . as the reckless flailing of a lot of meatheads , MOV is essentially a food fight with sloppy joes .", "these movies are sheer silliness , improbable roadway mayhem interspersed with obligatory fistfights and gunplay , all coated with a noxious layer of adolescent macho posturing .", "the film is basically ocean 's fourteen starring a multiculti version of the cast of jersey shore .", "this episode has the highest velocity and lowest iq yet . see it on the biggest , loudest , dumbest screen you can find .", "heads into the garage for almost the entirety of its sluggish middle section , which turns into a second-rate ocean 's eleven-style heist movie .", "i wish i could say that MOV was the fastest , most furious movie of the series , and that there would n't be a faster , more furious movie all year . i have to be honest though . MOV just was n't fast enough for me , and it 's hardly furious at all .", "attempts to add emotional depth are misguided , but this is an entertaining popcorn flick .", "... a film that 's custom-built to combine the swift horsepower of characters we like with the stylish chrome of fresh changes is a welcome pleasure .", "far less interested in vehicular craziness than the wisecracking repartee of its supporting specialists .", "such was my ` exfivement ' , i could n't remember the last time i was on the edge of my seat during an action sequence like this .", "fast-paced and visually breathtaking .", "for seeing gigantic men beat the hell out of one another and for leering at sexed-up hotties zipping around on scooters you 'll be hard pressed to find any film that 's its equal - until fast six .", "with this latest chapter , i think they 've finally made the film they 've been gearing up to make now for a while , the most completely unhinged mainstream action movie since bad boys 2 .", "inspired action choreography , macho mentality , aggressive stunt work and nimble editing rule . despite a few sluggish moments , it had me and it left me all revved up .", "as confident and charismatic as its lead characters and every bit as fun to be around .", "showing improvement as action director , justin lin has made an unpretentious thrill ride of a movie , one of the few hollywood pics whose characters reflect america 's multi-racial composition .", "when it 's exciting , it is really exciting .", "as the summer of 2011 approaches with the speed of a souped-up dodge charger , i 'm going to take my action-movie blessings where i can find them .", "it 's still a ` check your brains at the door ' action entry , but as a thrill ride it , sets the high bar for the summer 's releases .", "MOV 's final chase sequence involving a stolen vault is , hands down , the best action sequence of the entire franchise .", "watching MOV is like being savagely beaten for two hours and ten minutes by the staff at advance auto parts .", "there 's check-your-brains-at-the-door and then there 's brain-dead . MOV , the improbable fourth sequel to the fast and the furious , falls somewhere between the two .", "making sure the audience knows that the writers `` get it '' with a little humor and some crazy action makes the silliness easy to forgive and fun to watch .", "finally , the rock has come back to the action genre .", "you ca n't say MOV delivers the goods , but it delivers what it 's supposed to .", "with a bit better plot and character familiarity , MOV is more fun than the original and now ranks - at least in this critic 's opinion - as the best of the bunch .", "always preposterous though never actually silly , knowingly funny without ever being self-conscious , MOV is a passable action flick that will more than entertain its core audience .", "MOV is among the best fourth sequels ever - not exactly high praise but more than i expected to dish out .", "the series has found new traction in the heist format -- resulting in a fun and immensely entertaining ride .", "one film was enough , two was plenty , but five is just absurd . undoubtedly , there will be several people who will flock to this film just because it has cars zooming back and forth , so at least some people will be pleased with it .", "... achieves the sort of zen chaos that defines the die hard films", "hard-core fans of the series with enjoy it but others should steer away from this over-the-top action flick .", "forty minutes of this movie are big dumb fun . the other 85 forget the fun part .", "has really transformed this series from camp action cinema to exciting heist cinema .", "the last 2 entries were stupid too , but at least this one was well directed and features some of the most impressive stunt work i 've seen in years .", "MOV boasts incredible action scenes that are all varied and equally exciting . the film is full of clean , well choreographed shots that are easy to watch and the cast works great as a whole unit , making the film 's running time breeze by .", "like a shot of nitro to the franchise and shows there 's plenty left in the tank .", "manages to be more fun than any movie with its outrageous carbon footprint has any right to be .", "it 's possibly the most brainless film of the year . until the third transformers film surfaces , that is .", "what it all comes down to is a skillfully assembled 130 minutes at the movies , with actors capable of doing absurd things with straight faces , and action sequences that toy idly with the laws of physics .", "whenever anyone gives voice to dialogue -lrb- like `` you ca n't keep runnin ' , dom '' and `` people here need to be free '' -rrb- , your hand meets your head in unbelieving dismay .", "beyond implausible , but it works as a live-action cartoon .", "like a proper action sequel , it 's bigger , louder , and sillier than its predecessors , but it 's more streamlined , too , smartly dumping the tired underground racing angle in favor of a crisp , hugely satisfying ocean 's eleven-style heist movie .", "` MOV ' will push all your action buttons , and some you have n't thought of . so what if you hate yourself in the morning .", "`` MOV '' is , so far , the most honest hollywood movie of the year . it 's also the most fun .", "here 's a popcorn flick strong enough for a man and gentle enough for a woman .", "it took ten years , but here , finally , is a worthwhile sequel to the fast and the furious", "if you think you do n't care about fast cars , loads of t & a , bulging muscles , and more car-crashing action than you can imagine ; think again .", "a giant overdose of testosterone mixed with soap opera for muscleheads and gearheads .", "fantastic fun .", "the calendar may say that summer is a few months away , but the escapist entertainment that the season is known for starts today with the release of this rocking thrill ride , one of the most purely enjoyable movies in a long time .", "the action in this movie is the key to what makes it fun . who cares about the plot , character , story or even physics at this point . if it looks cool on screen , it works .", "the film 's plot rarely makes sense and the script is lackluster , but who cares when each chase is composed of the right amount of speed and clarity ? lin never puts his foot on the break until the last possible second .", "that force of chaotic and unsatisfiable desire that freud called the id is much closer to the surface in a movie like `` MOV '' than ever before in action-cinema history , and part of lin 's peculiar genius is that he barely tries to conceal it .", "sure , the plot , dialogue and acting are as silly as usual . but buoyed by a sparkling rio setting and an awesomely staged third-act action setpiece , MOV is the series ' best outing since the original .", "as always , the action combines buff bods , sculpted sheet metal , testosterone , guns , bone-crushing throwdowns , tattoos , revving engines and a `` transformers '' - like delight in having as many things as possible smash into each other", "the whole thing progresses to one of the looniest heists of all time . the result is the most exciting , visually jazzy , and absurd entry in the series .", "the chemistry of the core cast - steered by vin diesel and paul walker - keeps this outing from running on fumes .", "originality is n't MOV 's goal so much as distillation ; lin 's aim is to make the ultimate version of a fast and the furious film and the third time appears to be the charm for him as director . MOV is the best of the series .", "this is what a summer movie should be - knowingly silly , fun , light , thrilling , packed with real stunts and not-so-subtle gayness .", "the biggest , best and most furious fast of them all .", "we will race cars , we will crash cars , and at some point , a large-breasted woman in a low-cut blouse will lean over an engine block .", "in a free-for-all like this , where the laws of gravity and dictates of narrative logic are left to eat dust , it does n't matter when anything takes place or why .", "between this and last year 's overlooked `` faster , '' it 's great to see the rock re-embracing the action genre , and when his clobbering match with diesel finally happens , it 's as outlandishly room-wrecking as i 'd hoped .", "defying laws of physics , laws of acting , and the law of diminishing returns , MOV delivers a ridiculously fun mix of motorized macho mayhem and multicultural bonding .", "patently absurd and yet wildly entertaining ; a marked improvement over its excessively dour predecessor .", "it is n't quite summer-movie season yet , but MOV is already peeling down to its proverbial , sweat-sodden muscle shirt in preparation . it 's ready for anything .", "the last 20 minutes or so of MOV are as immensely pleasurable as anything i 've seen in a movie theater this year .", "all together now ... if you loved the first four furious films there 's no reason on earth why you wo n't dig MOV", "... opens with a bang and picks up speed from there ... spectacular cinematography ... loaded to the gills with high octane music .", "wow , the only way this film could be more ludicrous is if they actually cast ludacris in it . oh wait ...", "stating that MOV is the best of the fast and the furious series is perhaps like claiming that the big mac is the best hamburger served at mcdonald 's : it 's not so much a declaration of excellence as an example of damning with faint praise .", "one of the better entries in the series . that 's not to say it is n't big and dumb , only that its big dumbness is executed with some degree of competence .", "it 's big , loud , dumb , over-the-top and mostly substanceless . but it works , perhaps better than ever before .", "one those exceptional sequels , even better than the original film , ` the fast and the furious . '", "do n't leave your brain at the door like other critics are suggesting , just hide it behind a beer helmet and gleefully guzzle teh stoopid away .", "a dumb , ridiculous movie filled with enough tough-guy stares and male posturing to last you the entire summer . but it 's also high on extreme stunts and crazy car crashes , carried off with minimal aid from cgi , which is actually very refreshing .", "`` MOV '' represents yankee ingenuity of the brutally stupid kind .", "ignoring the rules of physics does n't make a movie more entertaining ; it merely makes the writing easier . if a screenplay can cheat at any time , it encourages sloppy authorship .", "featuring a mere two car-chase sequences and a pointlessly padded run time , it 's an unfortunate low point after fast and furious -lrb- aka part four -rrb- appeared to return things to fine form .", "gets lots of mileage from a combination of high spirits , scorn for the laws of physics , readily renewable energy and an emphasis on family values -- not those of the nuclear family , but of hell-raising , drag-racing outlaws ...", "the film gets much better in its second half when it becomes an `` ocean 's eleven '' type adventure featuring many faces that will instantly be familiar to `` fast/furious '' fans .", "sure , it 's supposed to just be a silly popcorn movie , but treating these cardboard cutouts as people to admire and care about is dishonest and contemptible . that the movie sucks besides is the final insult .", "a slam-bang start to the summer .", "treats interpersonal bonds as a concept that it knows about but ca n't quite come to grips with , considering all the horsepower and crashes upon which it would rather focus .", "if you 're in the mood for the cinematic equivalent of sugar and trans fats , the film delivers with one physics-defying set piece after another .", "it 's the pg-13 bad boys 2 . coming from me that 's a big compliment .", "instead of a vroomer , we get a knucklehead `` ocean 's 11 . ''", "another dazzling display of stunt driving and death-defying car chases involving souped-up , stolen automobiles .", "so long as they 're driving it 's fine , but whenever they stop to open their mouths , it grinds to a halt .", "dom and o'connor repeat the urban ethnic mythology that started with james cagney and pat o'brien in 1930s gangster films at warner bros. studios , but update realities to include contemporary , post-civil rights-era race-mixing .", "-lsb- t -rsb- here 's more testosterone in the rock 's goatee than in the testicles of 100 lesser men .", "actual effort on a `` part 5 '' is not too common ; results as unexpectedly entertaining as MOV are rarer still .", "vin diesel and dwayne `` the rock '' johnson square off in a movie at last . it 's a cosmic event , like some freak planetary collision .", "for those of us who thought diesel and dwayne `` the rock '' johnson were `` separated at birth , '' these two have a best-of-the-baldies throwdown that rocks our action loving world .", "a screeching , testosterone-propelled fifth installment for this durable , high-octane franchise .", "great action . i just wish ` MOV ' would have been 35 minutes shorter , so then it could truly be called fast .", "`` MOV '' is easily one of the best in the series . fast cars , romance , family ties and a heist comparable to that of `` oceans eleven '' .", "-lsb- the -rsb- fifth lap of the brainlessly macho series should please fans ... while making everybody else wonder why .", "all the characters from the prior four fast and furious films are rounded up to do their own grease monkey version of `` ocean 's eleven '' by chris morgan 's enjoyably ludicrous script , which , by right 's , should have been called `` toretto 's ten . ''", "the ensemble cast creates a really fun atmosphere by embracing the blatant ridiculousness of the films . and is n't that what enjoying a big , dumb action movie is all about ?", "the first sequel to the 2001 `` the fast and the furious '' that 's worth watching , that is n't an embarrassment or a travesty of the original picture .", "it 's when the action slows down that you can feel the brain cells dying .", "the series takes the curious , surprising and rather brave route of ditching the street-racing shenanigans that defined the series in favor of a more standard action-oriented plot . it 's an interesting approach , but the series ' shallowness remains", "a movie with exploding toilets , cars that move sideways and a big chase sequence with walker and brewster fleeing favela goons by crashing through the tin roofs of shanty-town shacks .", "`` the fast and the furious '' 2011 model comes fully loaded , with enough power under the hood to almost compensate for its lack of innovation .", "who knew the fourth sequel to the fast and the furious would not only refuel a flagging franchise , but lead the pack as the best of the bunch ?", "who knew that the best place to put vin diesel would be between the rock and a hard place ? the spot has never been tighter , or righter , and the testosterone never higher than in the hot jacking action of `` MOV . ''", "as a moviegoer , there are times when you want , say , `` jane eyre , '' and then there are times when a movie about really large men who drive cars really fast is just the thing . `` MOV '' is that latter movie , and then some .", "people die , cars collide , things get blown sky high . but none of it feels at all suspenseful . lin is much better at comedy relief , which includes a sexy con by gadot , who beats the all-hands drug czar at his own game .", "sequel number four proves this franchise is n't getting older - it 's getting better .", "even with the over-the-top acting of dwayne johnson and mind-numbing action sequences the film is actually watchable .", "maybe being pretty darn dumb is part of its charm .", "this movie is so drenched with testosterone , it belongs on major league baseball 's banned substances list .", "all that distinguishes MOV from this year 's crop of crappy action films is a modicum of craft , cleverness and restraint .", "cutting right to the chase , MOV is sure to make a furious run at the box office .", "while this is the best in the franchise since the first film , i still do n't like it because watching vin diesel in anything makes me want to punch myself in the face ... and that 's just not healthy .", "occasionally , though not frequently enough , something awesome happens .", "despite the movie 's overlong feel -lrb- it clocks in at 130 minutes -rrb- and its general lack of originality or responsibility , it has enough slam-bang , popcorn-munching action to keep most fans happy .", "seriously fast driving , jaw-dropping action , some unexpected twists and an audacious central heist with an extraordinary climactic sequence", "it 's so fast even the title has shrunk ; the turbo-charged franchise that elevates street racing to sometimes deadly gladiatorial heights is back with a big cinematic v8 version", "you 'd think the fast and the furious franchise would 've run out of gas by now . think again .", "utterly preposterous , but this car-crazy franchise is armor-plated .", "five films in and the fast and the furious franchise finally gets itself into gear with the wonderfully over the top MOV .", "overlong but slick , this still gets away with simplistic dialogue and characters , perhaps because it does n't take itself too seriously .", "fast & furious 5 can be defined as `` good '' if you look at it purely from a guilty pleasure level .", "a huge letdown .", "slow and spurious .", "starts well with dippily exciting action and daft dialogue , but outstays its welcome as it devolves into a deeply daft ocean 's eleven riff .", "for all its absurdity and the family friendly bloodlessness -lrb- despite the copious violence -rrb- , it spins along very smoothly and efficiently .", "where there 's demand , there 's supply , and this franchise will shoot up the box office chart because it 's undemanding and fiercely electrifying entertainment .", "MOV maintains the winning formula and underlines the sad fact that stars vin diesel and paul walker still have nothing better to do .", "with belief soundly suspended and your senses of sight and sound reeling under full frontal assault , this hybrid of action , chase movie sets the bar low - and clears it with ease .", "at the very least , petrol-headed punters wo n't be left fuming by what whizzes past in a blur here .", "as usual , the film thrives on excess .", "fast and furious 5 is far , far from a classic , it 's not even the best in the series , but it 'll spin two hours by with ease and some excitement along the way , even as absurd and silly as it may be .", "it 's not the sign of a particularly good film when the entire cast could be replaced by belligerent three-year-olds and you could expect most of the line readings to remain exactly the same .", "summer roars to a start with MOV which features some of the most spectacular action sequences seen on the screen in years .", "whichever way you take it , all i can say for sure is that i want that cherry 1970 dodge charger . i want it bad .", "though the smash-bang chases make for dumb fun , it all mostly cruises in a noisy neutral . and with his film clocking in at over two hours , director justin lin might have raised his own speed limit .", "-lsb- johnson 's -rsb- skin looks as though it 's been slathered in butter ; his enjoyment is infectious and keeps the movie speeding along .", "cars zoom , guns blaze , and the quips fly with wild abandon , but the biggest achievement to be found here is the pairing of vin diesel and dwayne johnson . about effing time .", "a loud , full-throttled , bombastic heist flick with no apologies for its obsessions with speed , violence , intensity ,", "fifth time 's the charm .", "street racing is dialed down in favour of ocean 's eleven-style heist plotting and favela gunplay straight out of call of duty : modern warfare 2 .", "... a frustratingly protracted piece of work that should have been so much better ...", "` MOV delivers what a dumb , popcorn flick is supposed to and easily passes my standard ` guy-movie ' litmus test -- it makes one want to drive fast after seeing it , high gas prices or not . -lrb- parental content review also available -rrb-", "nostalgic for older team films , and a world in which people interacted face to face", "if there were any more testosterone here , jose canseco could have boiled down the screen and injected it .", "if hollywood can make the rest of the summer as brainlessly fun as this then maybe people will start going back to the multiplex .", "with its sweat glistening off tanned muscles mannerism and hard-nosed bare knuckle bravado , MOV is the perfect cure for a spring season filled with failed attempts at recapturing past glories .", "easily the best film in the series ! if you can turn your brain off and not be too persnickety about dialogue and acting , you will be blown-away by the action !", "the more outrageous it becomes the more impossible the film is to criticize .", "there 's good stuff , but it 's the weakest of the `` fast '' films .", "if you 're in the mood for the cinematic equivalent of sugar and trans fats , the film delivers with one physics-defying set piece after another .", "all i can say is that i am now dreading part six and looking to part seven with something resembling vague optimism , especially if all involved can use the time to steal a better and tighter plot along the way .", "this palpable nonsense , which has a plot that defies all but hollywood 's logic , is so smartly produced and directed that even its inordinate length does n't matter all that much .", "the stony performances do n't really matter , and neither does the blunt dialog . but it 's still great fun .", "by shifting into a previously untapped gear , it delivers the most entertaining `` fast and furious '' adventure while also getting 2011 's summer movie season off on the right lead foot .", "something like ocean 's eleven and its various numerations , except with muscle cars and knuckleheads and without the laughs .", "there 's something deeply unpleasant about this latest flick that prevented me from enjoying all the stuff blowing up real good ... imagine robin hood nuking nottingham castle after tweaking the sheriff ...", "somehow , lim manages to keep you pinned to the passenger seat for over two gas-guzzling hours - with no perceptible drop in testosterone levels .", "the fast and furious roadshow is n't slowing down a bit in MOV , by most measures the best of the bunch , combining fresh casting choices , interesting rio locales and literally smashing bookended action sequences .", "the on-going storyline is now running on fumes , but when director justin lin cuts to the chase there 's enough left in the tank for some spectacular vehicular mayhem .", "make no mistake , this is no masterpiece of the dramatic arts but it is probably the best since the original : lean , spectacular , funny and slightly less risible than its predecessors .", "it 's trying so hard to pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease . but that 's also why it 's entertaining", "for those needing preposterous stunts , laugh-out-loud bad dialogue , testosterone-fueled posturing and an `` ocean 's 11 '' - like plot apparently written by and for 13-year-old boys .", "MOV is grindingly mechanical -- and not just because of all the emphasis on car repairs and retooling .", "forget physics , it 's just a fun blast of action movie ingenuity , as is the film as a whole .", "the jauntier vibe makes for easier viewing between the big high-speed car set pieces , which are every bit as big , loud , and crazily over-the-top preposterous as one would expect and hope .", "it 's about cars , girls and fighting and does n't pretend to be anything else . for sheer gall alone , `` MOV '' provides much entertainment . just not much intellect .", "spins its wheels . shifts between gravel-voiced speeches -lrb- about true family -rrb- and bicep-offs . throttling dialogue , long hard looks , and heist clich\u00e9s skid on for blocks .", "there 's arguably even more gun and car play than in f&f 4 , with the prolonged car chase finale easily chiming in as the best , most imaginative one in the franchise so far .", "it 's not like i 'm asking for the road warrior ... just some basic coverage and a less-than-total reliance on camera movement to generate excitement .", "director justin lin has a spooky , second sense for staging bombastic action sequences , even if he breaks every law in physics to make them work ." ], "summary": "sleek , loud , and over the top , MOV proudly embraces its brainless action thrills and injects new life into the franchise .", "id": "770873459" }, { "movie": "lust_caution", "reviews": [ "unfurls at the same pace as a doomed lotus blossom . and just as beautifully with the year 's most sensuous cinematography", "ang lee 's latest , lust , caution is a sluggish disappointment with a catchy title .", "lust , caution is strangely engrossing but the fairly straightforward plot does not justify the running time .", "isolated moments of high drama and some startlingly intimate sex scenes sadly fail to galvanise a turgid and overlong whole .", "in a film where casting is a vital component in the edgy equation , leung and tang make a picturesque and dramatically compelling couple .", "while some will feel his previous works better illustrate his gift of film , lust , caution creates an unmatched statement of cinematic wisdom all its own .", "lust , caution asks some patience of us , but our patience pays off .", "this juliet if not romeo steamy shanghai erotic spy thriller touching on a torturer 's tainted libido , crosses party lines to contemplate sexual betrayal laced with toxic unrequited desire .", "a downer with no redeeming entertainment value outside of its hot sex scenes .", "what is graphic and raw and adult and disturbing are the roiling , dangerous emotions underlying the hot , sweaty , etc sex ...", "lust - the word that speaks of inflamed passions , repressed longing and seriously naughty sex stands ill at ease with this rather languid exploration of freedom fighting during the japanese occupation of shanghai in the early 1940s .", "you leave the theatre a trifle exhausted but rewarded by a resonance few films possess .", "saucy sex scenes apart , however , it 's hard to get drawn into a slow-moving , drawn-out story that takes two-and-a-half po-faced hours to reach its jarringly abrupt and confusing conclusion .", "a pleasure to watch a film as visually stylish as it is psychologically demanding . i wish it had been twice as long .", "a shocking disappointment .", "for his sheer muscular verve and ambition , lee deserves a standing ovation .", "quietly mesmerising .", "the intensity of the sex is far more honest and revealing than the secrets each lover tries to hide .", "... lee imparts a sense of roiling depths beneath a placid surface .", "as a cartographer of hidden lives , lee may not always find beauty , but he almost discovers and reveals something vital about the human condition .", "a sumptuous and exceptional spy story .", "the film looks gorgeous but the plotting is clumsy and the acting is flat .", "why does this hot-and-heavy love story feel so cold and clipped overall ?", "the primary question in lust , caution -lrb- se , jie -rrb- is : `` what is real ? '' the answers , nebulous and harsh , are suffused with cigarette smoke and punctuated by clacking mahjong tiles .", "there 's too much caution and not enough lust .", "given all the early furor about the film 's nc-17 rating and its much-discussed sex scenes , lust , caution seems curiously sedate and unexciting .", "ang lee 's directing is so engrossing that one abandons the impulse to rationalize and finds oneself completely swept up in the consciousness of the story .", "by the time -lsb- lee -rsb- gets to the lust , it is too late to throw caution to the winds .", "the spy-game maneuverings provide some dramatic heft .", "well crafted and painful to watch . worth paying matinee price if you can shake the discomfort off .", "what lingers is the suspicion that women carry a burden of war they ca n't ever put down , and that even noble idealists can justify turning their girls into whores .", "lee provides no such easy comfort , instead keeping audiences constantly off-kilter , purposefully frustrating them with character behavior that 's just ... wrong .", "la mano experta de ang lee logra sostener el relato durante sus dos horas y media de duraci\u00f3n , con algunos picos de intensidad en un par de escenas brillantemente resueltas .", "for all lee 's meticulous control over this immaculately nuanced melodrama-thriller , there is a surprising lack of emotional draw .", "lovers of genuine cinema will get blue balls", "though his direction is unsurprisingly beautiful , the settings lush and the performances wonderful , no one apparently had the guts to insist lee streamline his rambling story .", "lee is hot , engaged , emotional , sincere and fundamentally looking at any slice of life through a sexual lens .", "lee is hot , engaged , emotional , sincere and fundamentally looking at any slice of life through a sexual lens .", "like the many facets of a diamond , the human heart can find its lustre in dark places . ang lee 's tortuous film about love and betrayal takes passion through highs and lows as it leads us through its tense and riveting journey", "there 's no doubt while watching ang lee 's lust , caution that you 're in the hands of a supreme filmmaker .", "lee 's saucy , sumptuous slow-burner is a complex , elegant seduction , drawing on hitchcock but putting a singular stamp on a rich spread of spies and sex , repression and sacrifice . just do n't try those moves at home ...", "unfortunately , the scenes between the sex and violence , while beautiful , will test your patience .", "beautifully shot , the period detail is exquisitely , and obsessively , realised .", "a mesmerising study in emotional cruelty .", "a beautifully rendered , long , drawn-out but ultimately very satisfying story of betrayal and revenge in an uneasy setting of wartime paranoia .", "its dark romanticism lingers in the mind .", "the drama remains strangely dispassionate . yet just as strangely , it 's never less than entertaining .", "overwrought and overlong , ang lee 's lust , caution nevertheless has some moments of exquisite beauty and a potentially star-making performance from newcomer tang wei .", "ang lee has shown that sometimes art has to be bold . because he presents the sexuality as graphically as he does , lust , caution becomes much richer and more meaningful than it would have been otherwise .", "chugs along at such a slow speed it nearly put me to sleep despite its graphic sex scenes ... .", "superbly written , beautifully shot and emotionally powerful espionage thriller with a terrific central performance from newcomer tang wei .", "both a cannily constructed spy thriller and a grim kind of love story .", "there is plenty of lust exercised in the athletic , do n't - try-this-at-home sex scenes between hong kong star tony leung and the stunning chinese newcomer wei tang .", "there is deception , suspicion and self-delusion , but it all seems rendered at arm 's length , despite the consummate artistry of the filmmaking .", "whatever misgivings there may be about it , this festival-winning film is a mesmerizing , rich experience .", "minus the sizzle of the nc-17-rated sex scenes , there 's not much to maintain your attention in this plodding world war ii spy thriller .", "you 'd be hard pressed to find a movie that 's sexier , or sadder . it 's a tragic film that 's highly successful as both a wartime thriller and a tale of doomed love", "gorgeously crafted with virtuosic patience .", "lust , caution is a major film , but it feels like a minor work in lee 's canon .", "leung turns in his usual fine performance , and tang shows evidence of the kind of chops that will guarantee her a long career . maybe her next film will tell a better story ." ], "summary": "ang lee 's lust , caution is a tense , sensual and beautifully-shot espionage film .", "id": "512902931" }, { "movie": "cave", "reviews": [ "if you got ta rip something off , might as well be a classic .", "it is n't just tedious , it is n't just silly , no , it goes the distance until it actually becomes a personal affront to the sensibilities of everyone concerned", "the first-time director bruce hunt is no stranger to inspired and stylish productions , but his horror-action film fails to inject new life into tired territory .", "a turd held up to the flickering bulb of the projector would be a marked improvement .", "its job is to deliver a few jolty thrills and a couple of laughs and wrap things up before it starts to get too dumb .", "ten things i learned watching the MOV . 1 . ` beneath heaven lies hell . beneath hell lies the MOV . ' 2 . beneath that lies the theater showing the MOV .", "vast and unexplainable , with plenty of places to hide . you 'll want to find one .", "bruce hunt 's directing debut displays a cold-blooded efficiency and refreshing lack of michael bay-ish hyperactivity in what is otherwise a solid if unspectacular action-horror flick .", "the best part is that it takes place in a couple of locales -- spelunking in a MOV and diving underwater -- that we do n't normally go , unless it 's a nature documentary .", "this latest exercise in claustrophobic mayhem is hole-y awful .", "some things , like this movie , are best left undiscovered .", "if you like cold , dark , claustrophobic spaces , i highly recommend you go rediscover the abyss . if that does n't work , just go hole yourself up in a closet !", "bland , boring , conventional , clich\u0439 , and dumb ...", "about what you 'd expect from a low budget , b-movie destined to reside among the direct-to-video releases at blockbuster and the saturday night features on the sci-fi channel .", "the MOV is a decently crafted but unoriginal and uninspiring creature feature with a few moments of true entertainment that the rest of the film never matches up to .", "replete with winged undersea MOV monsters , unlikely mountain climbing heroics and a mutating microbe that turns its victims into creatures-in-waiting `` the MOV '' is a paint-by-numbers thriller lacking in pigment .", "... despite its shortcomings , the MOV does deliver on some of its promises .", "the monsters show up and it becomes another run-of-the-mill creature feature , only one that 's more dimly lit than usual because of the setting .", "o roteiro \u0439 rid\u043dculo , mas o filme consegue criar algumas seq\u044c\u043ancias tensas . ainda assim , empalidece frente ao \u0443timo -lrb- e similar -rrb- the descent .", "... a dull , thoroughly unpleasant horror flick ...", "i would n't even encourage movie-goers who adore this type of film to give it a try because you 'd be much better off renting anything from the action section of your favorite video store .", "rare is the movie in which it 's so blatant that the quest for a lower rating has influenced the aesthetic style so much .", "the whole thing is pretty dumb , and not tongue-in-cheek enough to make the dumbness fun .", "not a classic by any means , but possibly one you might want to add to your netflix queue for a rainy day .", "even among the dogs of summer , the MOV scrapes bottom .", "forgettable .", "look up pointless in the dictionary and you 'll find a movie poster for the MOV .", "the pretty cast gets knocked off in order of attractiveness -lrb- the least cute bite it earlier on -rrb- and the monsters and action are shot in such a way as to maximize the overall incoherence .", "a generic duffer that 's as exciting as a hole in the ground .", "it 's dumb folks , yeah it 's an `` alien '' rip-off , but that 's not a terrible thing , it 's the complete lack logic and decent dialogue that 's the problem .", "shades of moria , batman !", "spare and single-minded , the MOV is an insistently entertaining piece of pulp .", "has atmosphere to burn -lrb- and one lulu of a set-piece involving a rock-climbing piper perabo -rrb- but -lsb- the -rsb- mixmaster editing style drains away much of the film 's urgency .", "every one of its surprises are packaged . people get picked off , the screen shakes , monsters roar , the prettiest survive . `` the MOV '' is hollow .", "characters leap , dive , climb , swim , lift , and run from one scene to the next . the MOV is the celluloid personification of ` outside magazine . '", "fright-wise , the MOV is a dry hole .", "as the group 's flinty leader , cole hauser does a passable imitation of a stalagmite .", "like many subpar efforts of this sort , the cutting in the MOV is so frantic you ca n't tell what 's going on or who 's getting chewed on .", "man-in-a-rubber-suit monster movie ca n't even score a proper columbia release , but gets dumped through screen gems . -lrb- even rob schneider movies get the torch lady . -rrb-", "the monster/action bits are too jerkily-shot to be exciting and character business is 100 % cardboard .", "remember : cpr does n't properly work on women unless their cleavage is visible .", "so very , very stupid ... and so very , very fun .", "romps along on its endearingly dumb , shameless wavelength .", "you will laugh at numerous unintended jokes -- including the baked-in opportunity for a sequel .", "it may dredge up a few frights , but for the most part the MOV is a spelunker clunker .", "it 's all noise and motion that blurs the action to the point of incomprehensibility .", "the good thing is its not too scary ; the bad thing is its not too scary", "contained enough unusual scenery and frightening sequences to keep my mind off its farfetched plot most of the time .", "succeeds in being a horrific failure .", "... it 's difficult to take any of this mess seriously . but even unintentional laughs tend to come at a premium in a movie this cheap and derivative .", "movies such as `` the MOV '' are one of the reasons that box office proceeds are plummeting in record numbers .", "let 's just say that you should go see the MOV - if you 're looking for a cure for intelligence , insomnia or constipation .", "even for a weird creature-feature , this murky , run-of-the-mill scare story is decidedly mundane .", "the film 's creatures are quite derivative , while one of the most intriguing revelations pertaining to them is never convincingly exploited or properly explained .", "constrained and unreadable , the space turns invaders into opportunistic killers -lrb- or maybe just rearrangers , a next step in body snatching -rrb- .", "just watch the last half-hour of the MOV when it hits hbo or cinemax . that 'll be all you need to see , and you wo n't have to waste eight bucks on it .", "so-so ... delivers a couple of jolts before the dopey finale , which takes place in a steamy , flame-filled cavern that looks alarmingly like dante 's go-go lounge .", "not once is the MOV scary , suspenseful , or worth the brain cells you 'll lose trying to dumb yourself down to its level .", "if you enjoy watching flying , bloodthirsty monsters chase people around dark places , you 'll get a kick from the film", "`` i have n't seen a hole like this in a long time , '' one character actually observes . my sentiments exactly .", "years ago , the MOV would have made an adequate bottom half of double bills . but at today 's ticket prices , this is a wait-for-cable movie if there ever was one .", "when scares should start to pop , they barely fizzle .", "the MOV delivers the b-grade thrills its premise and trailers promise and that 's about all we should expect .", "the MOV is an over-the-top horror flick with one novel offering : it 's shot amid a stunning network of subterranean caverns .", "a claustrophobic horror film that provides nothing original beyond its underground setting .", "messy , derivative , and silly , the MOV is , at the very least , oddly likable .", "why would anybody go in the MOV ?", "the MOV is n't just a bad movie , it 's a very , very , very bad movie , so bad that it ca n't even redeem itself by turning into high camp .", "feels stunningly familiar as it goes through the rote edicts of the scientific crew vs. toothy beastie formula .", "none of the characters is developed past his or her first name , and it 's not very scary .", "somewhere deep beneath the carpathian mountains , something unholy stirs : it 's an unspeakable stinker of a movie called the MOV .", "one plot twist provides a creative respite from the rehash barrage , but this MOV is better explored on dvd .", "the MOV answers every question i 've ever had about what might happen when a handful of hotties head deep inside the earth . for starters , the middle-aged and intelligent die early .", "most everyone in the audience , except those rendered unconscious by boredom , will see the ` big twist ' plot turn coming well in advance , although the qualifiers ` big ' and ` twist ' seem overblown and inexact .", "the MOV raises one crucial question : why ca n't hollywood come up with a fresh design for their man-eating monsters ?", "logically , all the monsters would eat all the humans at once , and the movie would be over in about three minutes . in the case of the MOV , that would have been a good thing .", "the MOV has a brisk b-movie efficiency , and not much space for bad acting , but it is blatantly derivative -- alien or predator in a MOV .", "it 's played entirely too straight-faced for its own good , which is to say , deadly serious .", "is the MOV scary ? not especially , partly due to the creatures ' goofy sound effects .", "showing no interest in staking new ground , bruce hunt is content to make his directing debut by aping scenes from better examples of the horror/thriller genre .", "you need to draw performances from actors , pace scenes , keep us aware of what 's happening at any time ; hunt has n't yet learned those skills .", "a high-concept creature feature that manages to fumble the concept and the creature in its sloppy execution .", "` something 's not right here , ' proclaims one of the characters exploring the creepy depths of the MOV . we could n't have said it better ourselves .", "director bruce hunt should n't be allowed to film a birthday party , let alone a major motion picture .", "without ` scary ' and ` surprising , ' what is the MOV left with ? flying amphibian monsters . which are great to have in a movie , i 'll grant you , but not by themselves .", "just barely worth exploring . -lrb- on dvd , that is . -rrb-", "-lsb- t -rsb- he monsters ... are so derivative that they almost seem like old friends rather than a new threat .", "a bottomless pit of lame characters , horror-film cliches and improbable monsters .", "now that hollywood has manufactured enough alien clones to fill a wall at blockbuster , who needs another ?", "despite the occasional chuckles of embarrassment for what the cast -lrb- including morris chestnut , piper perabo , and eddie cibrian -rrb- must endure , the MOV is a dead end .", "this movie unfolds as though the scenes were assembled in random order . at least i think that 's what it looks like ; it 's hard to say because it was so dark and murky looking .", "too generic to offer many scares", "the two kings of last august , morris chestnut and cole hauser , return to the screen for another late summer turkey", "the only truly scary thing in the MOV is the idea , as set up by the ending , that there could be a sequel .", "this should never see the light of day .", "a cheesy , often unintentionally funny , direct-to-video-caliber knockoff of aliens that could n't be more shallow .", "destined to be a favorite ... on cable tv .", "the MOV is a rare find , a film that is pure formula , yet impossible to follow .", "the makers of the MOV must have conceived their plot by googling ` creature features ' and ` recipes for monster mash . '", "the MOV sunk to new depths - it 's totally lacking in humor , imagination , personality , or any real entertainment value .", "if they had packed a little more character development and logic , `` the MOV '' would have felt a little less empty ." ], "summary": "despite its stylized and impressive sets , this horror-monster movie mish-mash suffers from endless cliches and wildly implausible plotlines .", "id": "5617" }, { "movie": "sixth_sense", "reviews": [ "of the big studio films released this summer , it 's hands-down the best !", "the story manages to keep one 's interest engaged all the way through to the exhilaratingly unexpected ending , which effectively breathes new life into all the previous proceedings .", "this ghost stuff works on a deeper level than the gross-out , and it 's nice that hollywood has rediscovered the art of the soul-freezing scare .", "an unusually intelligent thriller !", "the story does n't cheat by resorting to action or scare clich\u0436s . it sticks right to the main conflict and it keeps it in human terms .", "the MOV has a kind of calm , sneaky self-confidence that allows it to take us down a strange path .", "a unique , frightening movie that is never gratuitous or obvious .", "one of the most original paranormal films i 've ever seen .", "a thought -- provoking suspenseful movie !", "a psychological thriller that actually thrills !", "buried inside this psychological thriller , which takes a brilliant turn in its last 15 minutes , is a fantastic half-hour twilight zone episode .", "by treating the mortal and the dead with equal respect , the MOV holds its audience in the highest regard of all .", "a terrific last-minute story twist goes a fair way toward redeeming the MOV .", "it 's hard to recall the last time a film blended story , originality , character depth , genre elements , theme and mood with as much potent synergy as the MOV does .", "the MOV is the kind of flawed movie that 's worth sticking with .", "it 's a rarity for a movie to be willing to try your patience like the MOV does and even more of one for your perseverance to be so amply rewarded .", "but , then again , that twist is really , really overrated .", "what 's best is that in retrospect , you really should have seen it coming .", "while its momentum may be less than driving , like a bad dream , it becomes clear that the MOV is headed to some sort of big pay-off , and shyamalan 's carefully concocted twist ending does n't disappoint .", "a fascinating premise with lots of unrealized potential and a very interesting ending .", "only after the film 's chilling conclusion will you be able to fit the pieces of this ingenious supernatural puzzle together .", "an intense , haunting , often beautifully crafted character study and meditation on the nature of death and life after death .", "the ghost story is alive and well in hollywood .", "that the movie works as well as it does is due primarily to willis and osment , an exceptionally expressive young actor who never resorts to cuteness .", "this is a film with some clever twists and a really good performance by a child actor . this may be the surprise film of the season .", "shyamalan elicits a complex and tortured performance from young osment . the young man deserves a supporting actor oscar nod for his portrayal of a little boy overwhelmed by circumstances he ca n't even comprehend .", "there 's more fright in any 10 minutes of the MOV than the sensory startle effects the haunting produces in its entire running time .", "the problem lies with shyamalan 's plodding pacing .", "the biggest piece of supernatural hooey since estranged wife demi moore 's the seventh sign .", "devoid of terror , a palpable sense of torment , and just plain energy .", "shyamalan seems to have no idea how to dramatize anything .", "too often the film gets lost in overlit opulence and the soundtrack going ` boo . '", "gaggingly mawkish supernatural kitsch .", "i had to employ all of my usual tricks to keep from falling asleep !", "one of the film 's main problems is its pacing ; it craws sluggishly along the entire picture while the audience suspensefully waits for something to happen .", "one of the characters in this pointless movie has supernatural visions , and audience members are sharing the affliction -- unfathomably .", "it might take some kind of extrasensory perception to explain what fills the MOV 's 114 minutes , because i certainly ca n't explain it .", "an eerie drama that loses most of its impact halfway through .", "if there was ever a movie that could be accused of being both too subtle and too heavy-handed at the same time , it would be the MOV .", "here is a movie of long , mind-numbing , tiresome proportions and a brilliant conclusion . no one , however , should be forced to endure all the heartache just for five minutes of audacious footage .", "this will probably always stand as writer/director m. night shyamalan 's masterpiece .", "it 's hard for me to know whether it was the film itself or my constant view of its wires which left me unimpressed .", "even with its potentially interesting supernatural bent , it 's still largely schlock footage .", "the MOV works best when it works its mournful magic alone , without fanfare , using only the flickering fear in cole 's gaze as it meets the compassion in crowe 's .", "bruce willis is making it increasingly difficult for me to assert that he has no acting ability .", "this is much more than a scary movie or a ghost story . it 's a riveting psychological thriller about death and its manifestations .", "at its heart it is an intense , moving , thoughtful drama about the mysterious relationship between an exceptional little boy and a psychologist who wants to help him .", "m. night shyamalan \u0436 , ao lado dos irm\u0441os wachowski , uma das grandes revela\u0443\u0448es de 1999 .", "if you enjoy ghost stories , do n't miss this one .", "billed as a ` chilling , psychological thriller , ' this movie is actually none of those things .", "watching a child prone to intense anxiety attacks and brutal peer teasing fall apart is not my idea of fun , but shyamalan gets the job done .", "its treasuretrove of spiritual meanings set it apart from a host of other so-called supernatural thrillers .", "no better than any dime-store thriller collecting dust over at blockbuster .", "not only does this production contain what is probably willis ' strongest performance and a lot of other fine acting , but it is also one of the best films of the year . and it 's sure to be a movie that the people who see it will want to talk about .", "chilling and new !", "it 's got story sense to spare !", "while the film 's final 20 minutes are not its scariest , the third act piles up one surprise atop another , culminating in a jaw-dropping twist hinted at throughout the film but never fully revealed until the climax .", "one of the greatest horror film of the '90s !", "the year 's most inventive cinematic twist !", "the MOV is unrelentingly somber , yet hauntingly illustrated and unpredictably plotted .", "the MOV has wry wit and raw scares .", "genuinely unsettling , in a way that no other film this summer has been -- and that includes the blair witch project .", "the best movie so far in 1999 !", "intricate , intimate thriller is full of superb performances , deft direction .", "the MOV has more than simple ghoulish chills on its mind . instead , it 's a spooky mind game with a whopper of a twist at the end , a twist that , even when you think about it , makes perfect sense .", "this disturbing thriller is distinguished by the moving performance of haley joel osment .", "it is the only film i 've seen that gives you the creeps and the warm fuzzies all at the same time .", "willis gives an excellent , understated , and compassionate performance .", "i 'd like to say that writer/director m. night shyamalan is a stunning new voice and talent working in hollywood today . unfortunately , that pronouncement will have to wait for at least one more film .", "the MOV will convince you that spooky movies can be exciting , chilling , mysterious , and rewarding .", "much more than a one-trick puzzle movie ... the logic holds emotionally and narratively , and shyamalan brings satisfying closure to all his characters and their sorrows .", "elegantly shot , admirably acted , and well-scored ... but when the MOV leaves the character-study path , its weaknesses and essential arrogance are most obvious .", "shyamalan relies on gradually charging the atmosphere until an electrifying ending .", "a serious , thought-provoking film that contains some of the spookiest , creepiest and eeriest moments i 've seen on film in quite some time .", "it 's clear in both the performances and the supremely moody atmosphere -lrb- ratcheted up by solid cinematography , editing , and sound and set design -rrb- that this picture was in many ways a labor of love .", "sense is a brilliantly crafted little gem !", "one of the best child performances since anna paquin 's turn in the piano .", "the MOV might not scare you out of your wits , but it could reward them .", "wow . what an ending . i do n't think i 've been this moved by a film 's conclusion since the frighteningly shocking end of david fincher 's seven -lrb- 10/10 -rrb- .", "but this movie stunned me . the hair on the back of my neck stood up five or six times in this picture .", "questionable editing aside , the MOV succeeds as a reality-tweaking thriller , and its stark , supernatural imagery will likely remain seared into viewers ' memories long after the curtain closes .", "the cinematic equivalent of a page-turner , the movie keeps your eyes glued to the screen .", "an emotionally deep script !", "while there are certainly some frightening individual scenes , the film is more thought-provoking and evocative than chilling .", "writer and director m. night shyamalan carefully establishes a moody , extremely low-key tone , only to smack you upside the head when you least expect it .", "... creepy and tender and moving", "a good film that shows even better things that lie in the future", "intelligence and substance in a summer horror flick ? who 'd of thought it .", "a poignant study of the searing pain caused by loss , this all-too-human horror film provokes tears as well as fears .", "the screenplay , with its terrific scares and its amazing double-whammy at the end , is a grand achievement .", "an effectively understated and moodily engrossing ghost film with a surprisingly satisfying jolt at the end .", "m. night shyamalan neutralizes willis 's star presence with impressive plotting that 's a fine excuse for the powerful atmosphere .", "mr. willis gives a surprisingly quiet performance .", "a low-key triumph of mood and menace .", "classy , creepy and cunnningly constructed , shyamalan 's film offers melacholy pleasures and some genuinely effective scares . a quality hollywood offering and a massive hit .", "the MOV appears headed for horror -- figures lurking in the shadows , the plaster saints in cole 's makeshift shelter-shrine on loan from carrie . but shyamalan detours into gentler , maybe even more substantially haunting territory .", "but just as scary , or at least as unsettling , is the film 's presentation of human existence as an endless series of tragedies and agonies , relieved only by foolish distraction .", "it is impossible to take your eyes off osment , who vividly conveys the hopelessness of a sensitive , intelligent child who bears burdens beyond all telling .", "it 's hard to say more without revealing the surprises , but the movie 's best and worst features all stem from a highly unusual plot structure that builds to a genuinely startling conclusion .", "osment has since developed the nasty habit of being the best actor in the room .", "with the face almost of a grown man , young osment is all the more touching as a child who has grown up too quickly for the horrors he must confront .", "it 'll be interesting to see if willis can keep up the good acting .", "it 's a quiet , slow movie that builds its scares gradually , leading to a wallop of a surprise ending .", "a genuinely creepy film with a solid story , great acting , and a surprise ending that not even a jaded critic like me saw coming .", "a fun ride !", "shyamalan 's script is a clever construct , but also contains a great deal of sensitivity to the plight of the `` different '' child .", "like kieslowski and others , shyamalan knows that what makes for lousy metaphysics can make for powerful metaphor , and in the end he creates a deeply , surprisingly affecting film out of a little bit of smoke and brimstone .", "a delicate , emotionally attentive , but very scary ghost story .", "i was not only surprised by the film 's final twist , i was n't even looking for one . i just thought i was watching a bad movie . the end does n't quite redeem it , but it makes you think about what you 've seen . that 's a saving grace of some sort .", "constantly on the brink of explanation , the MOV in fact derives most of its fascination from explaining next to nothing .", "great , but sometimes scarier than r-rated horror .", "like the exorcist , this is n't really a gore-spattered shocker , more a slow-burning , subconscious-botherer .", "osment is excellent , as is bruce willis , as a melancholy child psychologist scarred by his failure with a similarly haunted youth , and toni collette , as the boy 's fiercely loyal mother .", "the performances are solid with an outstanding debut from haley joel osment .", "an excellent premiere for new director m. night shyamalan as he packs a punch with a great story , excellent directing , a great cast , great performances , and a surprise ending that will leave you breathless for days on end .", "osment is heartbreakingly true to his character as a boy at a crossroads .", "m. night shyamalan 's unsettling new film is one of the best movies hollywood 's produced in a very long time .", "the sad-eyed willis gives one of his best performances here .", "the film is not perfect , but it is pretty darn good . shyamalan 's direction is tightly controlled and very well executed .", "an extraordinarily well-told ghost story .", "MOV is scary -- and smart !", "the MOV is the movie that really deserves to be called the haunting .", "soulful !", "a slow moving-albeit fabulous flick .", "the MOV deals with death , ghosts , and the effect such things could have a very intelligent little boy in a way that i found refreshing and invigorating .", "plana en sus secuencias durante la mayor parte del tiempo", "an awesome film . perfectly directed .", "it was entertaining .", "though in some ways promoted as a scary ghost story , MOV is really a relationship drama set in a supernatural milieu .", "the MOV is a ghost story and a psychological thriller . but there 's something finer to it than that .", "! -rrb- , i am overjoyed to report that not only is there much more to this film that just its twist , watching the film with full knowledge of its big secret adds new layers to enjoy .", "the ghosts in the MOV will have a field day with your spine and the hairs on your arms .", "a smart , sophisticated and sensitive film that is also , by the way , very spooky .", "amazing , too , how the ending has the sheer power to completely blindside you when the final , ultimate twist occurs .", "i was deeply engrossed in the boy 's anguish , thanks largely to osment 's touching and painfully believable portrayal of cole .", "more than just a scary movie , it 's ultimately about love and death and allowing ghosts to rest . it 's a highly successful film .", "osment 's pinched , old-young face suggests an ancient 's insight without an ancient 's defenses -- a sensitivity so exquisitely morbid that you worry more for his emotional than physical well-being .", "willis turns in a measured and understated performance .", "you leave slightly asquirm . you know it will linger . it becomes a clammy , chilly movie building toward a revelation that you can not predict . as i say : i can not tell you . you 'd hate me if i did . i can only say , do n't look now , but look sometime .", "beyond these startling apparitions , there 's a surplus of mumbo-jumbo in here -- and some ludicrously false notes .", "it takes you on an intriguing , unsettling journey .", "dr crowe gradually comes to believe that little cole can indeed commune with the unquiet souls , who are reaching out to him for help . and , yes , the scenes where cole does so can be very creepy indeed .", "m night shyamalan has fashioned a modern classic here , a chilly , intelligent , emotional ghost story that relies not on the obligatory gore and knifeplay for its many shocks but on glimpses of an afterlife that 's anything but angels and harps .", "another `` could-have-been '' film , another almost successful compromise , another intelligent flick done in by its misplaced and worn-out star .", "if ultimately there is less to sense than meets the eye , director-writer m. night shyamalan -lrb- wide awake -rrb- at least avoids gory cheap thrills in favor of muted chills . he bears watching .", "so transparent is osment as an actor , and so rare , that the pain on his face stabs you in the heart .", "... an unconventional and rewarding look at the unknown . begs to be seen again ." ], "summary": "m night shayamalan 's the MOV is a twisty ghost story with all the style of a classical hollywood picture , but all the chills of a modern horror flick .", "id": "10054" }, { "movie": "u571", "reviews": [ "mostow has fashioned something with an admirable level of purity about it .", "despite its weaknesses , this movie offers two hours of solid , kinetic entertainment .", "u-571 moves like a torpedo .", "the movie concocts just enough genuinely surprising moments to make its own satisfying niche amongst the other examples of the genre .", "begs for credibility .", "an engaging action story", "the idea of men pushing machines to the limits of technical possibility in order to survive is nothing new , but it still makes for compelling drama .", "even a large dose of modern dolby sound effects and digitized pyrotechnics ca n't mask a plot and acting that are both decidedly sub-standard .", "a taut , exciting action film with surprising depth .", "it 's a rah-rah mix of patriotism and genuine suspense that manages to wring a few new wrinkles from a reliable subgenre of war movie .", "this is simply a good action film .", "represents the return of something that i 'd feared was gone for good : the inspired genre magician .", "minute for minute , it is one of the most tense and exciting war movies ever made .", "i did n't gain any great insights from u-571 , but i had a blast watching it .", "resembles more the bulk of war movies before vietnam than it does anything made in the last quarter-century .", "a gripping piece of historical fiction .", "so very few films live up to that kind of exaggerated billing . the claustrophobic submarine drama , u-571 , happens to be one of them .", "good clean silly fun .", "exactly what it is advertised to be : a relentlessly taut , edge-of-your-seat action thriller", "it 's a simple pleasure watching an american movie that respects genre .", "well-made and so extremely suspenseful .", "high drama and intensity through out .", "this one almost sinks .", "u-571 is a crackerjack adventure .", "as a modern-day variation on the classic submarine-movie themes , u-571 is a smoothly crafted nail-biter .", "an old-fashioned blockbuster .", "a sturdy specimen of its waterlogged breed .", "an entertaining action-adventure flick minus the hokiness of most world war ii films .", "there 's no profound message of universalism in this emotional tug-of-war ; it 's just good storytelling .", "while the film lacks plenty in the character study department , it more than makes up for it by being an old-fashioned potboiler that 's jam-packed with lots of edge-of-your-seat thrills and nail-biting excitement .", "u-571 could sure use some depth .", "dead in the water .", "the movie just keeps grinding along , pushing its way through a barrage of boom-boom and a sea of tight-lipped clich\u00e9s .", "u-571 leaves no soggy submarine story cliche unturned .", "as submarine flicks go , u-571 is midrange .", "highly improbable and b-movie weak in almost every department .", "horrendously inept and vapid .", "the acting ... is merely competent , the dialogue humdrum , the direction without sufficient challenge .", "the submarine goes deep but the story never does .", "it 's over before it barely seems to have begun .", "a top-notch , high quality actioner that is destined to hit its male-oriented , testosterone-driven demographic and make a pile of money in the process .", "it 's a wham-bam bumpy ride , great fun in the old-fashioned war movie tradition .", "delivers action scenes that are both visually dynamic and highly suspenseful .", "-lsb- both -rsb- a rousing action thriller ... -lsb- and -rsb- near-parody of the rah-rah american military adventures that filled screens in the '40s and '50s . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "a very tense and exciting war movie .", "... more like a star trek television episode", "like the rusted old subs deployed in the story , the picture seems designed to stay in the safe shallows and not to plumb any real dramatic depths .", "without much charge and even less depth .", "the film needs something more to make it interesting and different .", "i 've never seen a movie as dependent on a fancy sound system .", "after the movie finds its sea legs , you wo n't have time to catch your breath .", "this submarine flick has some tense moments and plenty of action .", "a pesar de sus debilidades , nos presenta dos horas de entretenimiento al m\u00e1s alto nivel", "mostow 's direction is taut , with no energy expended that does n't add to the white-knuckle ride .", "a thrill ride of the first rank .", "i thoroughly enjoyed the film .", "irresistible entertainment .", "it 's the adventure that counts here , and this movie has it in spades .", "enormously entertaining .", "you will feel like you 're in the midst of battle .", "stuff blows up !", "sure , it 's at times melodramatic and at times obvious , but it 's not a bad yarn .", "u-571 is capable of taking you on quite a ride .", "come on in . the water 's fine .", "high marks for tension and excitement .", "its perspective is that of a well-drawn , reasonably thoughtful comic strip .", "a ripping yarn .", "its characters are stock and its narrative runs shallow , not deep , but its state-of-the-art illusions help these lesser elements float .", "a slickly crafted throwback .", "straightforwardly entertaining and a genuine nail-biter .", "how can you go too far wrong with action scenes set on accurate renditions of american submarines and german u-boats ?", "rousingly successful in doing one thing : generating pure , unadulterated suspense .", "manages to work up some generic claustrophobic discomfort .", "u-571 is bombastic and anonymous .", "if you 're into ferociously suspenseful , high-tension thrillers : go , go , go !", "in its own corny way it is a fun outing .", "takes us from one almost-impossible situation to another , never allowing the film to rest long enough for the whole enterprise to seem shallow .", "an unpretentious , no-nonsense suspense film ... it 's not art , and it wo n't get a theatrical re-release 20 years from now the way ` das boot ' recently did . but on its own simple terms , it works just fine .", "you can enjoy u-571 as a big , dumb war movie without a brain in its head . but that does n't stop it from looking cheesy .", "it ai n't sunk , but this flick could 've used a life raft .", "when it 's good , u-571 is tense and action-packed . but it 's not good often enough or for long enough to distract you from its problems .", "a sweaty , claustrophobic potboiler that at its heart is not so much an action adventure movie as it is a suspenseful , triumph-of-the-human-spirit-type story .", "a well-crafted , old-fashioned war movie .", "if you 're in the mood to cheer the white hats , you 'll probably like this film .", "u-571 superbly mixes classic touches and brand-new thrills .", "for all its realistic bluster , feels vaguely hollow .", "sharply edited and vigorously directed and performed .", "-lrb- mostow 's -rrb- theme of what it takes to be a leader nearly breaks a surprisingly decent action film .", "this film has the effects and the performances to keep the thrill ride going non-stop .", "it 's really hard to go wrong with a submarine war movie .", "the problem is that u-571 is so overwhelmingly contrived that suspension of disbelief is nearly impossible .", "a strange , volatile mix of history and movie cliches .", "script characterizations so shallow that even a lead actor as dull as matthew mcconaughey ca n't be blamed very much .", "confusion kills it .", "plays like a third-rate disaster movie -- and an assaultively noisy one at that .", "demonstrates that a submarine movie needs some type of inventive subtext to keep it afloat and engaging .", "u-571 is the reason why popcorn exists .", "this is one sub that deserves to sink .", "there are no jokes , even though it could have used some to lighten its torpedo load .", "one-dimensional acting .", "if watching a two-hour submarine movie is this nerve-shattering , imagine what the real thing must have been like .", "a smart , slick crowd-pleaser perfectly pitched to kick off the summer movie season .", "-lsb- the -rsb- skillful execution is enough to overcome some of the film 's weaker aspects .", "get a good night 's rest and take plenty of vitamins before seeing ` u-571 . ' otherwise , you 'll be wiped out by the end of this superb action thriller .", "an action blockbuster film pure and simple , and a very good one at that .", "the film does n't stint on wwii movie cliches .", "the story deserved better .", "it 's essentially just a bit of entertaining , thrilling , heroic fluff .", "alas , it 's a noisy , cliche-ridden , incomprehensible mess .", "it 's an insult , not just to war veterans , but to the audience ." ], "summary": "excellent cinematography and an interesting plot accompanied by a talented cast and crew make u-571 a tense thriller .", "id": "10570" }, { "movie": "last_legion", "reviews": [ "trust me , it 's worth the price of admission to see colin firth , an actor of such steely emotional reserve , play butch for two hours in a mike brady perm .", "we can only hope that the title of this misbegotten swords-and-sandals adventure is prophetic .", "while the swashbuckling content is engaging enough on a popcorn level , the attempts at any sort of epic heft fall way short of the mark .", "not compelling , not mythic , and not exciting", "` the MOV ' is a wonderful adventure/fantasy with great characters portrayed by actors who know how to grab our attention .", "i will at least smile as i recall its harmless idiocy , in much the same way that one smiles at retarded people one passes on the street .", "this movie , for all its quasi-realism , is never as inspiring , interesting , or disturbing as the stories to which it points .", "to say that this is amateurish would be to elevate it to a level of professionalism it does not achieve .", "firth is horribly miscast . i 'll buy him as a romantic lead or the main character in a drama , but he 's almost laughable as an action hero .", "the many faults of the MOV give way to guilt-free popcorn thrills .", "a wannabe sword-and-sandals saga .", "this attempt at reimagining the arthurian legend fails to raise the pulse due to some leaden dialogue and unconvincing performances .", "the action sequences are handled well enough but the cgi is n't up to snuff in a tale that barely merits the retelling .", "crudely mangling arthurian legend into roman history , this creaky swords 'n' sandals romper trundles forward like a hurriedly upholstered tv movie .", "a passably entertaining hodgepodge of sword-and-sandal film clich\u00e9s and arthurian romance .", "while it 's almost certainly guaranteed to be a box office bomb , i 'm suspecting this goofy little adventure will earn a few bemused fans once it hits dvd .", "here 's a strange concept : a goofy , indiana-jones-type spin on the pre-arthur legend .", "... makes a hash of history , but ... just think of it as a nifty adventure dreamed by an imaginative boy who dozed off in his grandfather 's library .", "every once in a while , though , firth 's eyebrow hints , can you believe i 'm wearing this dorky leather breastplate ?", "this take on the arthurian legend is flawed but watchable .", "once you accept the MOV for what it is , namely a saturday adventure matinee show aimed at impressionable 10-year-old boys , then you 'll have a passable time at the cinema ... sort of .", "the MOV is more quaint than thrilling , but it 's refreshing to see an old style sword fighting movie that 's not completely dependent on the use of digital trickery .", "paper-thin characters , stilted conversations and abrupt editing mean this is hard to get involved with , and its link with arthurian legend feels contrived and clich\u00e9d .", "a novel hybrid of swords , sandals , horned helmets and furs , this really is a load of old rubbish , but there 's some fun to be had , especially for boys who like to have mock sword fights with wooden sticks .", "silly and camp .", "a hunk of old brie , left all day in the glove compartment in a car on a hot summer 's day , could not smell more ripe than this absurd sword 'n' sandal roman movie .", "tosh , but disarmingly sincere .", "colin firth is not an actor who projects sparkling joie de vivre at the best of times , and the MOV , a cod-roman reimagining of arthurian myth , is very much not the best of times .", "a good cast wallow about in a story you ca n't believe for a moment .", "no twist is too farfetched for this dino de laurentiis epic .", "there are , after all , aimed at young audiences plenty of movies more mean-spirited , indiscriminate and obnoxious than the MOV . but at the same time there are plenty that are , alas , less frustrating .", "as the roman empire crumbles , undemanding escapist entertainment with wonderful production design and a cast .", "even though the film clocks under two hours , it seems longer than a lord of the rings marathon played on slow motion .", "-lsb- b -rsb- ereft of anything approaching the movie magic it is clearly desperate to evoke ...", "though it 's never wise to underestimate the power or universal appeal of rai 's cleavage and lustrous hair , that 's about all that sets the doggedly mediocre the MOV apart from every other sword-and-sandal epic about the origins of camelot .", "this sword-and-sandal spectacle from those epic-loving de laurentiises might have made a good children 's film .", "this unoriginal picture also suffers from uninspired dialogue uttered by actors who are better than this and a jokey tone that would work if we had n't already heard all the same lines in director lefler 's tv work in hercules and xena .", "the movie rarely feels fresh . even an absurd cage-match like 300 cared enough to be both rousing and handsome . there 's no fun to be had here .", "i have too much respect for kingsley and firth to believe they did this for anything other than the money , and to their credit , they give their best efforts .", "despite the occasional gleam of wit , very little is to be taken seriously -- not the story , not the acting and certainly not the history .", "lots budgetary-challenged battles of the largely bloodless pg-13 stripe with folks in smelly looking leather suits and crepe hair clanging swords and saying ` arrgh ' a lot .", "at best , it 's aggressively mediocre , a movie that passes the time without ever really engaging your attention .", "there is a disconnect that comes with watching firth - who is usually associated with classy british romantic comedies - anchor something so tacky .", "a depressing pageant of bad dialogue , uninspired sword fights , corny getaways , and loads of completely unintentional sexual innuendo .", "an old-fashioned boys ' adventure yarn ... no great shakes as a fantasy epic ... but there are far worse movies out there for young boys .", "in the MOV , rome does n't fall . but it does look like it would rather be lying down and taking a nap .", "the real problem is that the MOV is just too boring .", "all are given swords to swing and mouthfuls of fake archaic dialogue to speak and none of it makes a whisper of sense .", "this anglo-italian co-production has quite a bit of fun finding a direct path from the fall of rome to the birth of arthurian legend .", "put yourself in the proper boy 's - adventure mindset and the MOV 's corny moments will just add to the charm .", "the chief problem with the MOV stems from the filmmakers ' apparent inability to decide what kind of pic they wanted to make , and what sort of audience they wanted to target .", "ultimately , the MOV is n't horrible , certainly not bad enough to keep it away from critics , which its distributors have unfortunately done ." ], "summary": "with miscast leads and unoriginal , uninspired dialogue , the MOV pales in comparison to the recent cinematic epics it invokes .", "id": "680650974" }, { "movie": "kung_fu_panda", "reviews": [ "` chinese ' in the way that springfield-style cashew chicken is ` chinese . '", "it all whizzes along at an invigorating pace and there 's plenty to please a young child but if you 're looking for the kind of insights that made ratatouille such a feast , you 'll have to wait for pixar 's next .", "just like many martial arts movie epics of old , MOV is filmed in widescreen cinemascope : a perfect , vast canvas for an epic set in old china .", "... a solid animated flick for kids , and for any adults who are singing `` kung fu fighting '' to themselves as they enter the multi-plex -lrb- guilty as charged -rrb- .", "this is the finest dreamworks animation effort since the first shrek", "a collision of black 's signature humor with a succession of surprisingly awesome fight scenes .", "this is strictly formulaic animation from dreamworks , wasting a stellar cast and a marvellously high concept idea .", "privilegia mais a hist\u00f3ria e menos o humor f\u00e1cil .", "the rocky template at work here is one of the most dog-eared premises around , but the sense of style and wit at play elevates the film above that premise to something unique .", "-lsb- the filmmakers -rsb- mix black 's good humor with breathtaking animated martial-arts sequences .", "chalk it up to either a newfound maturity or -lsb- dreamworks -rsb- management being asleep at the wheel , but , somehow , someway , it achieves a low-impact playfulness that actually feels kind of ... charming .", "replace the cute ` widdle ' animals with people and you 'd have a generic undiscovered-hero story with a dull script . -lrb- also , it would have to be called kung fu fat kid , which probably would n't test very well . -rrb-", "MOV is generally content to simply coast along on a few zen platitudes and regularly scheduled po pratfalls .", "it 's slick , energetic , and entertaining enough to separate it from most of the in-it-for-the-cash animated products that the studios have been cranking out the last few years .", "po turns out to be smarter than your average bear , not to mention sweet of disposition and amusingly smart-alecky . ... dreamworks ' animated romp proves charming , if formulaic .", "sufficiently entertaining for kids and mildly amusing for adults .", "a hero whose power is gluttony ? i almost missed this part , because i was out in the lobby getting a bucket of popcorn and a 40-ounce soda , so i 'll refrain from comment .", "gravity-defying , action-packed family comedy - it 's chop-socky fun .", "while the movie might not be as artistic as , say , one from disney-pixar , it features better combat scenes than much of its live-action brethren -- including the recent forbidden kingdom .", "while its storyline might seem familiar -lrb- in fact , very familiar if you 've seen the recent live-action jackie chan/jet li hit , the forbidden kingdom -rrb- , there 's enough invention and irreverence to make the film feel fresh .", "the aphorisms creak . the plot 's an open book . but all of those clich\u00e9s are part of the joke in this ebullient ursine coming-of-age tale about a humble panda destined for greatness .", "enjoyable , superbly animated and frequently funny adventure with great voice work , strong characters and some excellent fight scenes .", "hands down the most visually striking of dreamworks animation 's releases , this lively cgi comedy is tailor-made for jack black .", "one fine movie .", "despite the traditional animation platitudes , the film is entertaining and well voiced .", "a fun movie that manages to entertain pretty much the whole way through .", "formulaic , but entertaining and often dazzling .", "this panda delivers a cuddle more than a thump .", "MOV offers little in the way of cartoon novelty . even the battle scenes , given the recent advances in live-action wirework and blending of stunt performers and special effects , are too little kung fu , too much ho-hum .", "it 's still a bit patchy in terms of its pace , and it 's awfully violent for a pg movie , but it also features the best fight sequences the animated world , or any other world , has ever seen .", "sticking to a tried-and-true formula -lrb- hapless underdog discovers he 's the chosen one -rrb- still proves effective when it 's done with a snappy pace , eye-popping animation and a cast of game comedic vocal talents headed by jack black .", "outside of japanese anime - and maybe pixar 's the incredibles - i ca n't think of another animated feature packed with this much exhilarating , ingenious action .", "this computer-animated dreamworks film is infectious and inspiring , despite one 's best efforts to resist its charms .", "MOV is n't the kind of movie that will make you gasp with surprise as it moves toward its believe-in-yourself destination . but it is the kind of movie that will make you enjoy the journey .", "this is well-worn territory , from the cuddly slapstick to the chinese wisdom , but the movie redeems itself with some surprisingly smart and tender moments .", "after a summer of films crashing the two-hour barrier , i could give MOV -lrb- 88 minutes ! -rrb- a big old bear hug .", "it may not be the most original animated feature , but it is a solid , well-crafted one .", "loaded with high flying kung fu action , this animal-filled animated pic will keep youngsters in their seats .", "a gift in a summer that threatens to be seriously short of quality kid entertainment .", "after years of skulking around in hollywood 's shadows , fan-boy culture finally has a movie hero to call its own .", "when the kids are happy and i get to watch a jack black kung fu movie , that 's good enough for me .", "the animation work is dazzling ; it 's lovingly detailed without being overdone -lrb- particularly the opening sequence , which is hand-drawn and looks like prints struck from ancient woodblocks -rrb- .", "there 's something about the look of MOV that is so novel and pleasing . perhaps it 's just that we have n't seen this vintage , far east world in a computer-animated movie before .", "some of it just seems silly , which is fine for a family movie , of course , but there 's silly and then there 's silly . MOV is silly .", "MOV is hugely entertaining , gorgeously animated and expertly cast , with jack black and dustin hoffman doing some of their best work in recent memory -lrb- no joke -rrb- .", "this beautifully designed , cherry blossom-hued cartoon is brighter , breezier and bouncier than most .", "supporting characters -lrb- including jolie , who is wasted as a tiger -rrb- are pallid , and the fight scenes disproportionately long , as if the filmmakers figure the young boys most likely to see panda are just as action-happy as their dads .", "a decent bridge before the wonder of wall-e , MOV will thrill kids and fight nuts alike . shame the big names are underused and there 's nothing particularly new .", "both a surprisingly good kung fu movie and a solid family flick ... the story is sweeter and shows more heart than you might think .", "an energetic and surprisingly colorful family adventure tale that trumps formula through sheer force of personality .", "as the credits roll , the film 's many flaws come sharply into focus . but while it lasts , kung-fu panda is something of a guilty treat .", "the near genius of the film -- big-name stars doing voices to one side -- is that it almost completely eschews the snarky postmodern , pop-culture-referencing sensibility .", "by far the most visually appealing film yet released by dreamworks animation .", "it has more in common with dr. seuss than the dubiously titled dr. seuss ' horton hears a who !", "the strength of this film is its visual presentation . the characters are well designed and they move with the necessary precision and grace .", "black blasts through po , though , and lands on the furry character 's visual surface with all vocal cylinders revving .", "... if nothing else , the filmmakers should be commended for their refusal to pepper the proceedings with crass jokes and pop-culture references ...", "jack black puts the `` pow ! '' in `` kung ' '' pao .", "sure , the story 's ending is completely predictable , but it 's great fun getting there .", "at first i growled at the panda .", "it takes a very worn storyline , infuses it with smart satire and in-jokes and ties it all up in a very pretty package of beautiful artwork .", "an agreeable enough animation with the kid-worthy message to believe in oneself , but the embarrassment of riches that is its superstar vocal cast provides poor returns ... jackie chan hired to make monkey noises ?", "i 'm no fan of casting big movie stars as voices in animated films , but black and hoffman have great fun taking their characters from exasperated adversaries to bedgrudging comrades .", "by all means , gather up the little ones and take them to this perfectly pleasant , very good-looking , modestly funny , dispiritingly unoriginal variant on the nerd-with-a-dream recipe .", "another misfit-makes-good movie with nifty visuals but a sodden script .", "just about all animated movies teach you to believe in yourself , but the image of a face-stuffing panda-turned-yowling bruce lee dervish is as unlikely , and touching , an advertisement for that message as we 've seen in quite some time .", "jack black stars in appealing kid-friendly comedy .", "as summer movies get bigger and bigger , they often make us , the audience , feel smaller and smaller . the bright MOV is a simple and lighthearted exception .", "a nice little adventure that will keep the kiddies entertained for an hour and a half . mom and dad will find some nice moments as well .", "a parade of pain dominates MOV , which forgoes the rigors of character development for lazy , bone-crunching mayhem .", "i had a great time .", "this is a solid family film material , although one suspects the children will get a little more out of it than their parents .", "sure helps scrub away memories of tenacious d and the pick of destiny .", "MOV is one gorgeous movie . if only the story and comedy were half as absorbing .", "with loads of laugh lines , MOV plays with the ying - yang tension of sincerity and irreverance . and it never shirks a popcorn tenet : kernels of wisdom must be tasty .", "very much a hollywood production -- formulaic , made for marketing and never quite as inspired as it could have been .", "the movie has lean , to-the-point simplicity , which is refreshing in an era when so many films take needlessly bloated , talky routes into their story -lrb- for more on this , see indiana jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull -rrb- .", "imaginatively done , full of peril , surprise and even humor .", "dreamworks animation 's best movie since shrek .", "the message -- believe in yourself even when all evidence suggests you should n't -- is annoyingly familiar and frankly overdue for a serious debunking , but it 's not about to happen here .", "the animation is consistently sporty and there are some choice comic riffs on martial arts movies .", "the kung fu scenes overflow with crisp , thrilling and funny moments that whiz by in the 88-minute run time .", "MOV is arguably the best animated movie dreamworks has produced so far .", "... dreamworks animation has finally managed to touch the brass ring of animated storytelling that has been exclusively in pixar 's reach for over a decade .", "it 's funny at times , and quite exciting , but of course you know where it 's going from its opening moments , so no surprises dramatically .", "more original plotting could have bolstered this visually magnificent production .", "the most visually stunning cartoon yet from dreamworks ...", "an amusing and gorgeously designed kiddie fable .", "a panda learns kung fu . if that sounds good to you , then have at it .", "a far smarter movie than anyone could have expected .", "willingly raucous and revved up for your escapist consideration do welcome this plump yet profoundly prancing panda into your thrill-seeking heart .", "filled with abundant slapstick and visual comedy , this family-friendly animation is sure to amuse the youngsters with its roly-poly panda hero antics and inventive effects . ... its predictable and formulaic script is less impressive", "jack black inhabits the animated panda called po with so much of his signature whimsy that audiences get a double dose of black 's comic persona .", "oh heck , this is my favorite film of the year so far -- a ! action , depth , fun , comedy , profound messages and it 's visually gorgeous .", "the movie 's crackpot message -- ` to make something special , you just have to believe it 's special ' -- may best be proven by the existence of this funny , unpretentious , more than bear-able crowd-pleaser .", "even though panda is one of the last animated flicks that dreamworks wo n't be making in 3d it 's still very easy on the eyes and it should help to keep the studio in competition this summer with the juggernaut that is pixar .", "the colorful locale and battles , not the message , are the thing in this hybrid of family fare and martial arts in which jack black is too cute as the chubby misfit-hero but it 's dustin hoffman and ian mcshane who steal the show with their ironic delivery", "MOV may be on the higher edge of the middle rank of computer-animated films , but it 'll still provide your kids with a fairly respectable mix of action , amazement and amusement .", "though aimed primarily at youngsters , kf panda embraces humor that plays well across age groups and nationalities .", "a nice looking but heavily formulaic dreamworks animation entry .", "MOV gets a big kick from the vocal trio of jack black , dustin hoffman and ian mcshane .", "... it creates an enchanting other-world of its own .", "... use -lsb- s -rsb- dynamic animation and slapstick humor to compensate for the story 's lack of originality .", "a real charmer ; a lightweight , generously funny family film that benefits from simplicity and a buffet of asian cinema influences to pick from .", "MOV illustrates the dilemma cgi movies find themselves in : they 're suspended on a rickety bridge between product and moviemaking , and the boards of our interest are beginning to rot away .", "this movie leaves 'em laughing -- and gasping .", "everything about MOV is a little better , a little sharper , a little funnier than the animated run of the mill . it 's one of the few comedies of 2008 that knows what it 's doing .", "manic but hilarious MOV kicks its way onto the scene with irresistible force .", "to paraphrase `` kung fu fighting '' - mercifully heard only once , and in tweaked end-credit form by gnarls barkley - `` MOV '' is as fast as lightning and a little bit frightening but done with expert timing .", "this is one kid 's movie where the grownups should n't have to fight over who has to take the children . instead , everyone should get in on the fun .", "fighting action is as dynamic and creative as any live-action wire-fu match by yuen woo-ping while the story is a refreshingly simple tale .", "no more impressive than anything you could randomly dial up on cartoon network .", "big and bouncy , MOV is another powerhouse family entertainment that means to pummel its young viewers into adulation .", "the open got my interest up because the animation style recalled the emmy-winning cartoon network show samurai jack . unfortunately , when the dream ends , so does the innovative visual style ...", "if comic book guy from the simpsons stumbled onto the steps of wayne manor and alfred said he was destined to be batman , you 'd get something of the are-you-serious fanboy awe of MOV .", "none of it sounds encouraging , but the directors find the right mixture of slapstick , satire , and affection to bring out the best in their material .", "MOV stars a bunch of cute , highly-merchandisable creatures , but the amount of genuine kung fu movie love that permeates the film shines through to anyone who is a fan of top-notch animated filmmaking , as well as the martial arts genre .", "story of a roly poly panda makes movie magic", "pays homage to the hong kong kung fu epic by being true to the fu while making sport of clich\u00e9s", "the movie easily karate chops the weekend competition . a fine , fun film , filled with excellent animation and well-drawn characters .", "it 's elegantly drawn , the action sequences are packed with energy , and it 's short enough that older viewers will be forgiving . for the kids , of course , all this stuff is much of a muchness , and here they go again .", "dreamworks is bringing old school to the new school with MOV , which quietly lumbers around in its first half before proving itself a worthy master of the art in its action-packed second .", "MOV is far more exciting and abundantly more exhilarating than it has any right to be .", "a good-natured , entertaining romp and , in my experience , not a bad kid discussion-starter . you ca n't ask much more from an animated panda kung fu movie than that .", "if the shaw brothers had access to cgi and the post-modern voice talent , MOV would have definitely been part of their stable of wuxia epics .", "this is a nice little cartoon . not a classic , but certainly enjoyable .", "this is the best pg film i 've seen in ... well , forever .", "it 's a howl and amazement for anyone under 12 . as is often the way with middling kids ' movies , parents who grow tired of the film are treated to a satisfying consolation prize : watching their children have fun .", "a pleasant surprise . it avoids easy targets and actually bases its humor in its performances .", "it lacks that final spark of ingenuity or inspiration that would have transformed it from an amusing idea into a full-fledged movie worth watching .", "how an eating disorder paunchy punching bag morphs into an accidental fighter and subsequent dragon warrior by default , literally and figure-atively throwing his weight around . a jenny craig wet dream .", "kid 's will enjoy this movie , but i think kung fu geeks will like it even more . it 's one of the most action-packed movies in theaters now !", "an animated cross of rocky and the karate kid certain to delight this generation of tykes afresh .", "the action tends to blur into a whirlwind of slapstick chaos .", "fast , light , and easy-to-swallow , ` MOV ' is an ideal repast for families to enjoy during early summer at the multiplex .", "there 's an old saying about how a great musical will `` leave 'em dancing in the aisles . '' well this movie provides the kung fu equivalent of that .", "the fight choreography in MOV is the real draw . and , especially in imax , the film is never visually boring .", "-lsb- c -rsb- harming and gorgeously animated ... kids of all ages , including the grownup ones , will love -lsb- it -rsb- ...", "it 's the kind of movie that kids will love -- and so will their parents , since they will enjoy seeing their kids so happy .", "-lsb- ... -rsb- it 's mercifully free of the kind of ephemeral pop culture-dependent humor that 's plagued every previous dreamworks cartoon .", "MOV puts most other recent action movies to shame with its astonishingly beautiful , fluid , fast , clean use of movement and space .", "parental content review", "a witty , visually interesting and sweet comedy that works in pretty much all departments .", "... relies on the sounds of its voice cast and the brilliance of its cgi animation to help it succeed .", "MOV is a colourful , extremely enjoyable if workmanlike animated romp .", "loony toons slapstick madness combines with martial arts spectacle to give way to some wonderfully funny scenes .", "the thin script -lrb- light on length and surprise , heavy on tike-pleasing jokes and action -rrb- gives the ancillary anthropomorphized animals so little to say , you 'll hardly recognize angelina jolie 's tigress or even jackie chan 's monkey .", "a vast improvement over such previous dreamworks dreck as shark tale and the shrek flicks", "manages to entertain and dazzle , and parents wo n't beat themselves up for sitting through it , although what it teaches could fit on a fortune cookie .", "it is as if the spirit of recent zhang yimou spectaculars have informed this warm and very likable hollywood fare .", "the nicest surprise about MOV is that it 's so much better than the goofy-cutesy title would lead you to expect .", "... a likable movie that fits the bill when we talk about family entertainment .", "after this movie , pandas might be the new penguins . and , you know MOV is going to be good because talking animals are funny !", "a relatively harmless bit of animated fun .", "the animation is dazzling , so lovingly detailed you can make out individual hairs on the titular beastie , and full of bright chinese images .", "this is an unashamedly old-fashioned children 's movie , and a predictable message is part of the mission . but that 's okay ; what the movie lacks in surprises , it makes up for in whimsical fun", "the movie is full of exaggerated chop-socky action sequences , and most of them are clever and entertaining . the animators clearly have invested some time in studying and gleaning ideas from the hong kong kung-fu classics .", "MOV gets across important and inevitable plot information in ways that are novel and unexpected . things simply do n't happen the way they usually happen in animated stories .", "resistance is not just futile but almost seems churlish in the black-and-white face of such cuteness . along with some terrific voice performances and lovely animation , the adorability quotient of MOV buoys the film .", "it 's not entirely free of lazy writing or cheap jokes . but it 's often strikingly drawn and , when it 's kicking , breezy and funny .", "-lsb- dreamworks animation -rsb- has finally found their successor to the `` shrek '' mantle in the hapless hero known as po the panda .", "what helps MOV succeed is not just the classic beauty of the animation but also another way it avoids the shrek pitfall by steering clear of that series ' flat irony and tired snark .", "unpretentious sweetness , striking visuals , fresh settings , and strong voice characterizations by black , hoffman , rogen , and cross make this satisfying family entertainment .", "MOV is yet another celebrity-voiced animal adventure , but it stands out from the crowd of similar films with its lightning wit and whirlwind brio .", "i have never wanted to eat a digital/animated steamed dumpling more in my life than i did when i saw MOV . jack black really poured himself completely into this role and the movie turns out to be extremely funny and action packed .", "a snappy , amusingly witty family comedy . kids will undoubtedly love the film , while adults wo n't feel talked down to .", "why create a universe this utterly gonzo if all you 're going to do is repeat the same ` believe-in-yourself ' and ` everyone-is-special ' pablum kids have heard a million times ?", "at once fuzzy-wuzzy and industrial strength , the tacky-sounding MOV is high concept with a heart .", "the jokey title sells this clever , old-fashioned film short .", "a master -lsb- course -rsb- in cunning visual art and ultra-satisfying entertainment .", "neither as original as ratatouille nor as funny as shrek .", "beautifully animated , the celebrity voice performances are terrific , and the action sequences negotiate the fine line between being physically convincing and becoming too intense for the young children who are the film\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- s primary audience .", "everything that happens in this dull tale of po , a paunchy panda who becomes a zealous kung fu fighter , is telegraphed well in advance .", "the film settles into a succession of ritual spoofs of the kung fu genre , and peddles the sort of cloying preachments about self-esteem and human potential -- panda potential -- that little kids hear all the time on tv .", "from a studio that 's decimated iconic fairy tale characters with its poison pop-culture pen , i.e. , shrek , comes an age-old fable , poetic , pop-free and timeless ... yet still an utter hoot .", "hardly a groundbreaker , but still impressive in a good many of its particulars .", "in this summer movie season of old men with whips , gals in stilettos and superheroes a go-go , you may ask : `` where 's the cartoon ? '' -lrb- speed racer does n't count . -rrb- indeed , the most highly anticipated animation event of the summer is MOV", "MOV manages to minimize the aspects of a jack black that make him unbearable -lrb- no pun intended -rrb- ." ], "summary": "MOV has a familiar message , but the pleasing mix of humor , swift martial arts action , and colorful animation makes for winning summer entertainment .", "id": "770672401" }, { "movie": "10011457-ong_bak_2_2009", "reviews": [ "the fight scenes are kinetic and varied , and pick up a unique flavor from the backdrop of meticulously recreated hillside villages .", "not really a sequel but more a misguided prequelish follow-up ... obviously enjoyed a much larger budget than its titular predecessor , but it 's nowhere near as much fun .", "not nearly as painful to get through as the weinsteins ' bastardization of tom yum goong but those looking for more of the innovative modern-day action that made the original ong bak such a breath of fresh air in a somewhat tired genre might", "do n't look for continuity of storyline -- just enjoy the extravagant fight stunts , the restless camera work , and the sluicing rivers of blood and mud . -lrb- that 's why you 're here , right ? -rrb-", "head-thumping nirvana ... by the time a dude in a bird suit starts fighting on top of a moving elephant , it seems like a logical , completely awesome progression .", "appreciate the feature as more of a silent film adventure and it 's a blast , furthering the curious career of tony jaa , who steps behind the camera to co-direct this often exhilarating but supremely baffling martial arts picture .", "features an international star at the top of his particular game right now , delivering continuously impressive vehicles for his gritty , dirty style of martial arts .", "no , MOV is n't a great movie ... but if you love the pure kinetics of a well-shot martial-arts film , tony jaa is the most exciting figure to come along in years .", "over-directed and under-written trash .", "the pleasingly goofy personality of the first film has hardened dismayingly . this one 's all rain , mud , blood and grim jungle duels , the balance tipping firmly towards bone-crunching fisticuffs rather than acrobatic stunt-work .", "it 's ... weird . but then the whole film is . tony jaa obviously is . but like jaa , it 's also sporadically , triumphantly , transcendently amazing . just , be prepared ...", "if you 've ever stood in front of a mirror and practiced your bruce lee `` kara-tay '' chops , thailand 's tony jaa should , de facto , be your hero .", "MOV is infused with an urgency and relentlessness that few contemporary action films have .", "the camerawork , more so than in ong-bak , follows the rigid mechanics of jaa 's battles , so much so that the rhythm of the edit becomes hypnotic , the cartoon thwacks of skin-on-skin acting like a weird music in the final , 20-minute brawl .", "boring and insipid are words i never planned on hearing myself say when describing a tony jaa film , but i guess there 's a first for everything .", "fwap , argh , fwap , argh . that is the sound of ong bak .", "the energy is intense , the athleticism is wild , the overall effect - pretty monotonous .", "jaa , who co-directs , has only one thing in mind : a series of increasingly complex fight scenes in his characteristically wide-ranging style . if movie theaters allowed you to fast-forward past the filler , your life just might be complete .", "MOV ca n't possibly match the novelty and inspired acrobatics of the original , but tony jaa gives this new entry enough kick to keep audiences more than satisfied .", "bears virtually no connection to the original .", "taking co-directorial reins with panna rittikrai , jaa has erected a portentous platform for his high-flying athleticism , bearing none of the freewheeling spirit or humor that made his feature debut a guiltless pleasure .", "lovely to look at by small degrees , but a mud-spattered mess of a movie overall .", "it 's an incoherent , would-be martial-arts epic with only a handful of action sequences in its favor .", "the action bits make you feel like you 've had pure adrenaline pumped into you , but the attention to artistic detail ... is like something you 'd expect from a hollywood epic ...", "moaning about the overlong , sloppily told story seems petty nitpicking when all i really want to see is tony jaa doing what he does best - beating the tar out of people , and we get that in spades in MOV .", "we 're forced to listen to the sound of bones crunching , skulls cracking and throats being slit . would n't it be nicer to hear some show tunes instead ? for his next film , jaa should make ong-bak : the musical .", "stretched to nearly two full hours and deploying a seemingly endless array of flashbacks sequences , it becomes almost impossible to follow for more than a few minutes at a time and jaa 's utterly charm-free performance does n't make things any easier .", "you can only get so mad at a movie in which a large crowd cheers and the lone subtitle reads `` hooray . '' with a period .", "a mix of martial arts , which includes muay thai , kung fu and samurai swordplay , that was jaa 's inspiration for making the movie in the first place .", "the ` sequel ' to jaa 's stunning international debut , ong-bak , and his third international outing after the entertaining the protector , but it contains only a fraction of the previous two 's joyful invention .", "it was epic action , i will admit , but that does n't mean that the writers should give up on the rest of the film completely .", "let me be blunt - MOV is an incoherent mess ... -lsb- yet is -rsb- awesome , stupid , incoherent fun .", "we knew jaa could bust heads ; now he 's just busting our balls .", "MOV is really just an excuse for several jaw-dropping set pieces that show off jaa 's killing skills .", "... the lack of any dramatic center leaves the action , for all its bloody carnage and brutality , emotionally untethered : all spectacle and no character .", "delivers jaa 's most intense and impressive fighting action yet but a complex and underdeveloped plot and fractured , non-engaging direction leaves much to be desired .", "unfortunately , the movie could use a bit of pachyderm memory , given its habit of flashing back to tien 's childhood with exactly the same footage used in previous flashbacks . instead of the narrative being deepened , it keeps getting shallowed .", "tony jaa is a martial arts star . is he a director ? no . the dull plotting and predictable characters in ong bak : the beginning all but overwhelms jaa doing what he does best , which is fighting .", "the fights are stunning , the narrative thin and repetitive , the characterisation perfunctorily functional .", "this is likely to disappoint fans of the original film , but the impressive fight scenes ensure that it remains watchable .", "some of the most exhilarating martial arts action to hit screens in recent years . ong bak : the beginning may be little more than a showcase for jaa 's abilities .", "never mind the quality , just savour the adrenaline rush .", "some new moves and old tricks from tony jaa , still packing a wallop but in need of a truly knockout narrative . then again , when have you ever seen two men fighting on top of an elephant ?", "... a self-aggrandizing historical epic that somehow proves that you can actually make a movie without a plot .", "there is n't much of a plot , although jaa 's fans wo n't mind a bit . all they want is lots of bloody , muddy action in the thai jungles , which they get .", "a perfect example of a sophomore misstep and a powerful argument for action stars to gather more experience before stepping behind the camera .", "i still enjoyed watching MOV even if i was a little disappointed in the fight scenes", "who needs more plot when there 's so many exotic kicks to be had ?", "... the film eventually settles into a groove of tedious training sequences and context-free battles ...", "an effort that handily trumps the first in every respect , ong-bak 2 further cements tony jaa 's status as one of the era 's key action stars .", "revenge as a dish best served tempura style !", "a perfect and perfectly goofy b-grade martial-arts picture .", "like watching a computer game with cheat mode on . for hardcore fans only .", "the movie would work better as a highlight reel .", "features a far more soulful and charismatic jaa immersed in a ceaseless whoosh of extraordinary fight scenes involving everything from pebbles to elephants .", "tony jaa is a lot of fun to watch , but MOV : the beginning is not only a step back in time -- to 1431 -- but a step back in this martial artist 's international film career .", "jaa 's period ` beatquel ' is thick on action but thin on plot . awesome final fight , though .", "orphaned prince becomes outlaw warrior in a well-mounted showcase for martial arts superstar tony jaa .", "overcooked , overproduced , and all the action is swamped with distracting camerawork and gimmicky design .", "MOV , which bears absolutely no relation to the film that preceded it other than a title and a lead actor , is cinematic proof that you can indeed have too much of a good thing .", "`` MOV '' is so obviously contrived for the sole purpose of showing off tony jaa 's martial arts weapons expertise that the film soon wears out its welcome .", "the general incomprehensibility is further hampered by poor subtitles and a stoic tone which suggests it 's taking itself much too seriously", "MOV is slicker production-wise than the original , and it has so much noisy action that thai foley artists must have made a fortune inserting thuds and grunts .", "impressive as some of this is , it grows pretty wearisome pretty fast .", "the goal of MOV was to make something bigger and better . they only succeeded with the first half .", "i could have enjoyed the film if it did n't present itself as some kind of self-important epic , which only makes the ridiculous dialogue and hackneyed plot stand out .", "nourished on anemic action sequences full of shaky-cams , rapid-fire editing , and quick cutaways , american audiences are not prepared for jaa 's 20-minute essays on human bodies causing massive trauma ." ], "summary": "it suffers from comparisons to its predecessor -- not to mention tony jaa 's less-than-nimble direction -- but MOV has all the extravagant violence and playful style that fans of the original will expect .", "id": "770782720" }, { "movie": "1007818-frankenstein", "reviews": [ "as much as the later movies diluted the character of the MOV creature , nothing could blunt the impact made by karloff in the role of the most memorable movie monster of all time .", "still a startling film about the borders between genius and madness , science and atrocity .", "nothing can detract from the power of the most influential monster movie ever made .", "the classic and definitive monster/horror film .", "the film is unique in whale 's work in that the horror is played absolutely straight , and it has a weird fairytale beauty not matched until cocteau made la belle et la b\u0119te .", "now a classic part of scream culture .", "a classic .", "one of the most deservedly famous and chilling horror films of all time .", "MOV 's psychological inquiries remain both striking and potent , its morality-lined narrative brimming with existential hurdles on both ends of the scale .", "absolutely essential .", "a masterpiece of vintage horror . entertaining , creepy and stylish .", "beautiful photography , a heartbreaking story , and iconic moments from beginnning to end . absolutely unmissable .", "maximum of stimulating shock is there , but the thing is handled with subtle change of pace and shift of tempo that keeps attention absorbed to a high voltage climax .", "-lsb- whale -rsb- did it in the grand guignol manner , with as many queer sounds , dark corners , false faces and cellar stairs as could possibly be inserted .", "from the standpoint of the story , cast , direction and photography the picture is sure to rate with the greatest in picturedom .", "the genius of all this beauty is that it truly is chillingly scary .", "... a watchable yet consistently uneven horror flick that feels long even at 70 minutes ...", "shocking in its day and still a genuinely creepy experience , director james whale 's primitive yet enthralling interpretation of mary shelley 's classic tale of man playing god is the most influential genre movie ever made .", "another undisputed classic from the mind of james whale .", "james whale has done a great job in his direction . this is not an easy thing to direct -- just how far to go in playing upon an audience 's credulity , it 's sympathy , it 's nerves . whale seems to have gone far enough , but not too far .", "if it is n't the best american horror film of the 1930s , that 's only because the extremely gifted director james whale was n't done with the franchise quite yet .", "MOV is a horror film that turns -lrb- miraculously -rrb- into an existential tale of man 's fear of abandonment", "classic monster movie still electrifies .", "the film has a touching , almost childlike humanity that allowed audiences to actually identify with the monster .", "the high tide of universal horror . hail karloff .", "without question the film 's defining moment comes from the actual revelation of the legendary monster itself .", "... crude but famously iconic version of shelley 's novel , which featured karloff under 50 pounds of makeup , costume and platform boots the spice girls could only dream of .", "the monster may seem campy today , but there are still occasional subtleties .", "a stirring grand-guignol type of picture , one that aroused so much excitement at the mayfair yesterday that many in the audience laughed to cover their true feelings .", "here whale emerges in full flower % u2014the stage director in love with the theatrical and drunk on the possibilities of film .", "charming , spooky , and magical at once .", "an essential classic .", "this is the one that became the classic and best known MOV picture .", "genuine old-school horror movie excellence ... and the sequel is even better !" ], "summary": "still unnerving to this day , MOV adroitly explores the fine line between genius and madness , and features boris karloff 's legendary , frightening performance as the monster .", "id": "17531" }, { "movie": "super_8", "reviews": [ "abrams deserves a lot of credit for keeping this movie 's heart in the right place even as the plot gets increasingly implausible .", "writer/director j.j. anrams ' nifty , nostalgic homage to the innocence and wonder epitomized by his mentor/producer steven spielberg .", "the kids have no effect on the story , not the military 's interference in the accident clean up , not the finale , etc. . even the MOV reel does n't change their behavior , so it 's almost as if the entire movie is a macguffin .", "worthy of the adjective spielbergian indeed .", "j.j. abrams ' MOV ca n't live up to its advanced billing , but it 's still a crisp combination of ` goonies , ' ` stand by me ' and ... i ca n't spoil the rest .", "will serve as brilliant family viewing , or viewing for science fiction geeks ...", "it is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery . with MOV , steven spielberg must be blushing like a reticent schoolgirl who just got asked to the formal .", "a love letter to a cinematic era , before ` blockbuster ' became a synonym for ` franchise ' or ` tent pole . '", "remember the good old days ? this is the movie you went to see on a saturday afternoon in the good old days .", "let 's be honest : the b.s. sci-fi plot is so much empty machinery , which becomes steadily more apparent as the film wends its way toward a heavy-metal climax that 's narratively and emotionally questionable .", "an idealistic and powerful summer film with great characters and a wonderful script .", "while it may not achieve the level of pop culture canonization as the spielberg films it invokes , MOV should inspire many to use their camera-phones for something more creative than a profile pic .", "it wants to be spielberg , needs to be spielberg , begs to be spielberg . but this ai n't spielberg .", "great action sequences and a touching story make MOV a great summer blockbuster .", "this spielbergian misstep by j. j. abrams attempts to be the emotional coming-of-age equivalent of stand by me but instead winds up as a cacophonous mishmash of goonies and war of the worlds .", "the movie of the summer , the movie of many summers , going back to the '70s ...", "MOV is undoubtedly one of the more robust summer blockbusters of the year , with enough momentum to get it over the finish line before you start asking more questions of it .", "while it did n't turn out to be the great movie some thought it would be , `` MOV '' still makes for an entertaining film", "as much as we speak about e.t in glowing reflective terms , this generation in future will think back to the way that MOV touched them , scared them and made them laugh .", "jj abrams ' `` thank you '' to steven spielberg . it 's like he said , `` thank you for making those movies while i was growing up . now , here 's what you inspired me to make '' . and it 's a terrific ride that i ca n't wait to experience again .", "`` MOV '' is a curious thing indeed : a good movie that makes you want to go home and re-watch a great one .", "abrams ... delivers a phenomenal pop-art experience , dazzling the senses while aiming straight for the heart .", "works as a time capsule , a moviegoing scrapbook , and a pretty nifty creature feature , though the final blend of elements lacks a tight seal that keeps the film a consistent package of delights .", "j.j. abrams ' lovingly nostalgic tribute to early spielberg will make you look back fondly to a time when a group of schoolkids could outsmart the government .", "all too often the plot feels calculated rather than organic , the result of a time-tested formula rather than genuine innovation .", "like a too-faithful adaptation afraid to tweak the novel , this pleasant spielberg-adoring nostalgia-fest is easier to admire than to love . it 's borrowed magic .", "MOV embodies everything unsettling and disappointing about the culmination of -lsb- lost -rsb- .", "spielberg and abrams are the unwitting targets of their own irony .", "this is old-school storytelling . and it just plain feels good to experience it .", "simple , sweet and far more understated than you 've been led to believe . and it 's got lens flares coming out of its ears , natch .", "you ca n't write an original screenplay while stealing from better directors .", "super fun .", "a case of ultimately dashed high hopes , no matter how much it has going for it along the way .", "the alien invader storyline often feels as though its happening in a completely different universe than the small-town story of friendship and first love", "flying automobiles , dastardly military officers , alice 's shriek when she sees what it is the entire town is up against , they are all nothing to the tense moments as father and son stare one another down with their future relationship on the line", "throwback sci-fi . but the big-show moments , concocted from today 's blockbuster formula , clash with the '70s small-town play of these kids ' lives , often nicely observed .", "MOV is not just the most entertaining family film of the summer , it 's up there with the classics of its various genres .", "MOV is the sweetest film of 2011 , an affectionate shout-out to amateurs everywhere .", "it is thrilling , fatuous , pyrotechnical , whimsical , barnstorming , batty , out there , out to lunch and finally , though it flails exuberantly to the last frame , out of ideas .", "wears off like a warm childhood memory .", "MOV is a delightful nostalgia trip , recalling a bygone era when young protagonists embarked on amazing journeys and emerged from the melee with barely a scratch or bruise .", "MOV is the most intensely spielbergian film you 'll ever see that steven spielberg did n't actually direct himself . and it 's early spielberg !", "what keeps us enthralled is its nostalgic sensibility , partly for the time but mostly for its old-school film-making values .", "the young cast are excellent .", "the geekery has charm , but is a little self-conscious and just occasionally , this movie resembles an open-ended , rambling drama serial that gets a little , well , lost .", "now we have more than a spielberg movie in disguise . we also have the latest blockbuster from jj abrams all fired up , too .", "director j.j. abrams channels his inner spielberg -- and it mostly works", "abrams and executive producer steven spielberg are reprising a few of their own greatest hits , and creating the kind of saturday-matinee adventure that kids of a bygone era would have raced to the neighborhood movie house to see .", "what abrams has created here is a near-perfect summer movie .", "it 's the lame script , awful direction and total lack of heart or intelligence that makes this extremely agonizing to sit through .", "this melding of two cinematic sensibilities , though effective at moments , is finally not as exciting or involving as it we 'd like it to be .", "`` MOV '' is more like a mannered impression of a great '70s summer movie than the real thing , but that makes it just about perfect for our age of simulated sincerity .", "put `` the goonies , '' `` e.t. , '' `` close encounters '' and `` war of the worlds '' in that blender from `` gremlins '' -- and transport the mixture back to 1979 in the `` back to the future '' delorean -- and you get j.j. abrams ' `` MOV . ''", "an entertaining and fun time at the movies like they used to make them . -lrb- full content parental review also available -rrb-", "MOV is worth the extra effort to remain in the dark , so its old-school popcorn delights stay fresh . abrams is dealing with an alien , but what he 's really fiddling with is time travel , back to the '80s when kids had n't yet seen it all .", "ultimately comes apart in its attempts to fuse an earnest and sweet coming-of-age tale with a far less effective sci-fi/horror creature feature", "a rather mean-spirited retelling of the e.t. story ...", "the worst that can be said about the film is that the characters are far more compelling than the mystery they solve .", "a fitfully entertaining , loving tribute , but little more .", "its pleasures are borrowed , but durable .", "... the result is clunky and predictable , not streamlined and exciting like the spielberg films of old .", "for pretty much the first half of the new movie from writer-director j.j. abrams , MOV is n't really even an alien thriller ; it 's a sad-sweet tale of loss and coming-of-age set in the golden-gone days of the late '70s .", "ultimately , it 's the period and character details in MOV that provide the grist for its winning formula , rather than its emotional arc and monster jolts .", "abrams , unfortunately , is not spielberg . but why should he be ? who else is ?", "j.j. abrams takes this warm concept and turns it into an impersonal sci-fi thriller , capsized by an increasing overload of digital effects .", "the bifurcated `` MOV '' is emotionally resonant before asserting its blockbuster aspirations .", "it 's spirited and funny and deeply entertaining , a summer movie for kids who think like adults and adults who feel like kids .", "now if only the abrams and spielberg combo would take on some of the marvel films ...", "for those who grew up on the spielberg classics , a truly nostalgic treat awaits .", "MOV is a hugely entertaining sci-fi thriller , thanks to a strong script , impressive special effects , pacey direction and terrific performances from its likeable young cast .", "a diverting but rather pointless affair , undermined by its obsessive and clinical commitment to recreating past glories .", "a giddily nostalgic film that recaptures the sense of awe and wonder from early spielberg classics such as close encounters and et .", "an engaging cross between coming-of-age exploration films like the goonies , with tender , heartfelt moments of stand by me , and abrams 's supernatural , alien fascination .", "... j.j. abrams here strains so hard to hit all the right buttons that he misses almost all of them .", "it 's nowhere close to e. t. - what is ? - but amongst the hullabaloo of summer , MOV is something to cherish : a beautifully made homage to better times , and better movies .", "abrams panders to his audience and wrongly assuming that more explosions , more pathos , and more clich\u00e9s will provide a path to more approval .", "while it 's not perfect , it 's honestly one of the most interesting films that 's been out all year and certainly this summer .", "it 's the child actors , heroic indeed , who rescue MOV from the blockbuster grip of its adult makers .", "MOV had to have heart of its own to work and it does . it provides its own thrills . that marks the difference between complimenting a set of films and copying them .", "nothing in the latter part of MOV matches the first 40 minutes , but the suspense is well sustained and the performances are attractive .", "a well-crafted homage to a master filmmaker who , ironically , was accused early in his career of infantilizing cinema but created some of the most memorable elegies to childhood and lost innocence .", "monsters , aliens , trains and a small town that does n't want to know the truth . what more could one ask for from a summer movie ?", "a spielberg pastiche of uncanny precision and sublime pointlessness .", "an original , entertaining , solidly built movie with no star faces and plenty of heart ...", "the young cast are all outstanding , ably supported by the adults in the background , and the nostalgia of the piece is genuinely intoxicating .", "vale mais pelo sentimento de nostalgia que inspira do que pela qualidade de sua narrativa .", "action packed and dramatically fulfilling , MOV is j.j. abrams love letter to the adventure found in youth and tribute to the early films of steven spielberg .", "abrams channels conventions and cliches of 1950s genre movies by way of paying tribute to spielberg 's classics , resulting in a nostalgic , sharply uneven tale that lacks the master 's coherent and elegant style .", "the young characters are played by , among others , elle fanning and joel courtney . they interact well , albeit in that rose-tinted view of childhood so favoured by spielberg , who is on production duties here .", "if abrams ca n't sustain the magic , at least he 's created some in the first place . and with its nostalgic period setting , stunning special effects and charming performances from the young leads , MOV is the best movie spielberg never made .", "not perfect , but entertaining .", "has moments of greatness , but the ending is a slight disappointment .", "breathing new life into these old forms is a next-to-impossible mission , but if the skeletons in your closet are made of celluloid , `` MOV '' will be more of a treat than a trick .", "if you 're wondering what 's missing from so many big-budget , effects-driven hollywood movies , the answer lies in j.j. abrams ' MOV : heart and passion . what 's happening onscreen really matters to the young people in the story-so it matters to us too ...", "MOV takes its place among the best b-grade science fiction movies of this generation by copying the best of the past 50 years .", "MOV is filled with great moments that do n't always work great together .", "attempts the difficult feat of balancing self-consciousness about the olden days with wide-eyed , headlong , present-tense fun . for about an hour it succeeds marvelously . the modest letdown that follows exposes the limitations of mr. abrams 's imagination .", "MOV rekindles your wonder with the movies .", "a delightful , touching and engrossing coming-of-age story that just happens to have a rampaging monster in it as well .", "this sci-fi thriller has an engrossing plot and a strong cast of fully drawn characters . there 's even a sweet youthful love story . in other words , it 's a summer blockbuster firing on all cylinders .", "MOV is such an authentic homage to the glory and excess of spielberg that it barely has its own identity . it 's been body-snatched by its own influences .", "writer-director j.j. abrams overloads this sci-fi adventure with so many homages to his co-producer steven spielberg that it plays like the elder director 's greatest hits , minus his characteristic scares and sense of wonder .", "MOV is a noble effort that gets a lot right , and a lot wrong .", "halfway through MOV i stopped thinking about the films that inspired abrams to make it and started envisioning the works that would be inspired by this movie . yes , it 's that good .", "in some way MOV is the ultimate found footage piece and for once we are not yelling back at the screen to put down the camera .", "MOV works best when it is n't attempting to imitate '80s spielberg .", "while it 's often tense and exciting , it 's also more than a little exaggerated and corny at the end . you take what you get .", "verdadero homenaje al cine de spielberg , MOV empieza siendo e.t. -lrb- o al menos una digna heredera -rrb- y termina como la guerra de los mundos , donde lo espectacular y la resoluci\u00f3n f\u00e1cil toman la delantera . a\u00fan as\u00ed , un buen entretenimiento .", "j.j. abrams demonstrates a real love for cinema - primarily steven spielberg 's classic sci-fi pics - with this doting homage , which puts a frantic alien invasion plot secondary to an involving , emotionally resonant family narrative .", "jj abrams and steven spielberg team up for this enjoyable alien thriller , which feels exactly how we nostalgically remember spielberg 's late-70s movies . but it 's not nearly as earthy or thrilling as they actually were .", "for big kids , a chance to relive the classic films that forged their love of sci-fi . for the kids of today , it 's a film they 'll want to show their kids another 30 years down the line .", "the potty-mouthed script deserves a parental warning and casts the only regretful shadow on an otherwise sterling popcorn adventure ...", "MOV is accomplished commercial filmmaking .", "much richer , much deeper and much more moving than its ` monster movie ' premise might suggest .", "the most authentic spielberg film spielberg never directed .", "a mind-blowing masterpiece . the films works perfectly on both an emotional and suspenseful level . every aesthetic from giacchino 's score to abrams ' use of lens flares was epic !", "i look forward to watching it again sometime , preferably projected on a large screen in a park some summer night .", "to watch MOV is to witness the birth of our current geek culture .", "... the film 's gentle charms and young cast won me over , and in the end , this is a lovely look at getting over pain and letting go , wrapped in just a bit of sci-fi and wonder .", "MOV is a blast to watch , that kind of well-oiled summer entertainment that both surprises you and gives you exactly what you want .", "` MOV ' is not flawless , but i think it contains the most memorable film sequence so far this year .", "it 's just the type of kid-friendly pic its producer steven spielberg loves to make .", "it is hard to overlook some major holes in the logic of the film , even for a sci-fi movie where concepts of logic are more fluid .", "MOV is the cinematic equivalent of unearthing a time capsule and finding everything inside is still impossibly shiny and new .", "... a jarringly messy blend of blue-collar angst and feel-good spielberg ... less a tribute to classic sci-fi than a mechanical , by-the-book exercise in how to build a tribute to classic sci-fi .", "spectacularly bottles the spielbergian magic-actually , that feels like an understatement ; the movie is a full-pound spielberger .", "MOV is really about the thrill abrams must have felt when he and his buddies discovered films and filmmaking , awakening in them that ancient drive to tell stories .", "maybe i 'll be proven wrong about the five stars , but if nothing else , MOV is the kind of film i loved to watch as a young teen and have n't seen for a long time .", "more than anything , `` MOV '' is a straightforward love letter to those carefree days when anything felt possible as long as you had your friends , a movie camera and some semblance of a plan .", "the biggest obstacle facing `` MOV '' may be expectations .", "i must confess that my anticipation for this film was up there on the same level i felt standing in line to see `` close encounters of the third kind '' or `` the empire strikes back . '' and i have to say that my anticipation was met in spades .", "that is about as ` best of both worlds ' as one could ask for .", "none of this is exactly fresh - ' 8 ' pays homage to venerable sci-fi clich\u00e9s and revisits territory spielberg has covered before . but what 's so refreshing is how effortlessly entertaining it turns out to be . the plot 's engine practically purrs .", "MOV is an unapologetic joy from beginning to end that will thrill and engage kids , both old and new .", "abrams fashions MOV in such a calculating manner , with every element weighed both for maximum nostalgia value and ironic hipster cred , that it has an artificial feel to it . it 's like a birthday cake made of spun glass .", "abrams ' imitation is a shade too reverent for my taste . he lacks the subversive edge that allowed joe dante to bite his producer 's hand and bring gremlins to life , for example , and abrams seems unsure just how scary he wants things to get .", "MOV is a fun-filled tribute to creature features , mayhem and finding your way in the world .", "even as writer/director j.j. abrams seems bound and determined to follow a template of another 's choosing , MOV still has a sprightly life of its own .", "what we need is a good summer movie . `` MOV '' is pretty close . never mind the plot holes , dozens of unanswered questions and the abandonment of logic . paul chambers , cnn .", "as befits a spielberg tribute , dysfunctional families come together , children come to understand their parents ' travail , parents are reminded that they love their children .", "j.j. 's close encounter with e.t. , gremlins , jaws and jurassic goonies !", "an exhilarating summer ride .", "while it wears its cinematic influences on its sleeves , this is a true original , creating a world that feels utterly real , exciting and wonderfully nostalgic .", "MOV is a welcome dose of nostalgia , since we 're reminded that cgi-heavy disaster flicks can still maintain essential ingredients like character and heart .", "a popcorn blockbuster made with craft , care , enthusiasm , genuine affection for its characters and respect for its audience . it 's entirely derivative , yet in this season of sequels and remakes and snark , it feels not just fresh but refreshing .", "MOV is a loving , heartfelt but hollow pastiche .", "it 's as full of rich characters as it is smart popcorn-movie scares .", "never forgets that special effects and sheer spectacle mean nothing if there are n't relatable characters and an emotional thematic throughline to first and foremost care about .", "while it has good performances and looks pretty , MOV is a movie that , in the end , does not fully work on any level except for cheap nostalgia porn .", "MOV looks back fondly on a year that was pretty chaotic to live through , but does n't have much to say about that , as it turns out .", "writer/director j.j. abrams -lrb- lost , star trek -rrb- brought his knack for intriguing plots that drag you along without giving you much information , along with a moderately satisfying ending . read more : MOV review by grae drake | movies.com", "summer is heating up with the excitement steven spielberg and j.j. abrams bring to the big screen .", "a summer movie that 's made up of parts of some of the best summer movies ever made , MOV is neither memorable nor original , but as empty summer blockbusters go , it 's a good one .", "this new film is n't perfect , and may not be a world-changer , but it 's certainly a world-pleaser .", "a magnificently small-focus , character driven , nice summer movie ... the first and very possibly the only obviously personal tentpole movie of 2011 .", "it is full of things to love , but rarely has a film that had so much going for it been this deeply affected by a disappointing last reel .", "if you grew up a horror nut in the midwest , MOV might feel like a missing page from your childhood . and if not , well ... that train crash is still pretty mint .", "abrams ' muddled tribute to '80s spielberg does indeed feature well-rounded human beings , but mostly forgets to put them in an interesting story .", "the result is a sci-fi monster movie that keeps its sense of fun and humanity . it 's a valentine to a classically american genre -- the b-movie -- and a nostalgic look back on a more innocent time .", "the movie does n't quite go off the rails along with that mysterious train , but it 's pretty close .", "no one understands the language of film better than these guys and their evident pleasure in the economical story-telling through visuals adds to the dazzle .", "j.j. abrams and steven spielberg are a dream team . more please .", "an underwhelming sci-fi adventure with nifty special effects and strong performances by its child actors , but it 's weakened by a bland , uneven screenplay that lacks palpable thrills , suspense and internal logic .", "part the goonies part war of the worlds , j. j. abrams ' steven spielberg produced monster movie , MOV , is entertaining stuff . however , it ca n't live up to its wonderful set-up .", "elle fanning is going to be a superstar .", "MOV thrives on nostalgia and abrams ' admiration for all things spielberg , but the results are as aggravating as they are satisfying .", "however much of this you 've seen before , abrams succeeds in making it all mean something again .", "often exciting and entertaining .", "MOV does n't possess the top-to-bottom greatness of the films it 's modelled on but , in shooting for the stars , leaves 90 % of modern blockbusters in the gutter .", "MOV is still fun , and often funny too . it 's also entertaining , and sometimes even a little startling .", "MOV is the perfect summer movie riddled with the kind of action , heart , and fun that most filmmakers would kill to be able to conjure .", "MOV is a thoroughly entertaining popcorn flick , but one does get the sense of abrams sweating up a storm in an effort to produce the sort of guileless matinee magic that spielberg conveyed effortlessly .", "when MOV works , though , it really works , earnestly and without manipulation .", "this is more of the * batteries not included amblin than the goonies amblin . it turns out to be a patronizing exercise in fabricated childhood emotion .", "MOV is complete . that sounds more like a minimum requirement for a movie rather than grounds for a rave , but it 's astounding just how fulfilling j.j. abrams ' latest film is .", "sadly , the helmer seems too smitten working with steven spielberg to recognize that his idol-turned-champion created the very paradigm that limits his passion project , forcing this modest nostalgia trip to function as a blockbuster .", "an engaging return trip to steven spielberg 's youthful world of wonder courtesy of j.j. abrams .", "it would be easy to dismiss as 100 percent ersatz if it did n't rekindle at least some of the old excitement -- and if the magic of spielberg 's older movies did n't filter through , like light from a distant galaxy .", "it 's so much fun to watch these cheeky , loveable kids pull together and navigate their way through this extraordinary adventure .", "while other filmmakers have been inspired by spielberg to push the envelope , j.j. abrams seems happy to try to make one like they used to , except not as successfully .", "it 's not a bad movie , but the emotional tags fail to kick in , and the surface story is all there is", "there 's much to like in this story of a group of young movie-makers who stumble upon an event right out of , well , the movies .", "cleverer individuals than myself will no doubt snicker behind chewed fingernails at my moon-eyed walk down memory lane , but i think my cynical a-hole cred can take the hit .", "teens save town in action-heavy sci-fi film with retro feel .", "if abrams had stuck with the kids and cut way back on all the sci-fi hoo-ha , his film might have stood a fighting chance of being charming . big is not always better , even when it comes to fantasies .", "the final scene , which you truly have to see for yourself to roll your eyes at , solidifies that ` MOV ' is just super foolish .", "abrams remembers the simple rule that a majority of his contemporaries have forgotten : action and mayhem have meaning only when an audience cares about the people trapped within the maelstrom .", "e.t. texted a homey , spielberg paid the earth-bound ticket , and now we have MOV .", "despite its old spielberg magic , it 's j.j. abrams ' deftly applied human touches that put MOV over the top .", "abrams has assembled a terrific cast , particularly the six focal kids with elle fanning -lrb- `` somewhere '' -rrb- giving an honest-to-god oscar calibre performance as alice dainard ...", "abrams ' genius lies in finding that early spielberg vibe without losing his own auteurial voice in the process .", "abrams brings so much affection to the project the results reveal both the film geek he surely was as a spielberg-lovin ' kid , and the hard-charging populist he has become .", "` MOV ' can be simplified as ` e.t. ' meets ` cloverfield ' ... -lsb- it -rsb- truly is the beginning and the end of summer blockbusters ...", "j.j. abrams rekindles the child in all of us in this super film that is all at once sci-fi thriller , mystery adventure and coming of age story . it 's got heart , too .", "the year 's most thrilling , feeling mainstream movie .", "-lsb- video -rsb- `` MOV '' is made by young-minded adults who have n't lost their sense of inspiration for the magic of making movies from a child 's perspective .", "works so well for an hour or so that it 's disappointing to watch it unravel in the third act and then fall apart completely at the climax . in retrospect , it 's a mess .", "this may not be a children 's classic that will last for generations , but it will make for a rollicking afternoon at the multiplex for kids around joe 's age .", "budding teen romance , menacing military men and not one but two dysfunctional dads are checked off like a how-to spielberg kit with a depressing lack of intellectual heft .", "MOV hits on many of the touchstones that one has come to associate with the youth-oriented blockbusters of the 1980s ...", "abrams is a loving synthesist of spielberg 's themes and techniques , a worthy inheritor of his beagle-like narrative instincts ... but when it comes to the plucking of heartstrings , he lacks the true stradivarian shamelessness of his mentor .", "MOV is a wonderful film , nostalgia not for a time but for a style of filmmaking , when shell-shocked young audiences were told a story and not pounded over the head with aggressive action .", "it 's what a summer movie should be , and too often is n't .", "MOV is a tremendously entertaining summer movie that could pass as a lost steven spielberg work from , say , 1979 , which , not coincidentally , is the story 's setting .", "what makes `` MOV '' so good is that it is told from the viewpoint of the kids , whose emotional honesty bring a sense of reality to this fantasy thriller .", "a very entertaining summer diversion", "probably the best movie about kids since stand by me .", "a combination of period science-fiction tale and coming-of-age story whose paths eventually collide in disconnected schmaltz .", "named for an obsolete cinema technology , MOV is involving enough to create its own reality .", "abrams tackles MOV like it 's a time capsule , emphasizing cartoony period details while ignoring the cohesiveness of the stories that came before his .", "... like e.t. , this is an adventure story that revolves around a group of ordinary kids doing something extraordinary , often despite the adults in their world .", "in a manner similar to gus van sant 's psycho , it 's merely a high-resolution photocopy devoid of its revered predecessors ' soul .", "while the line between inspiration and imitation blurs , what remains crystal clear is that MOV has been made with nothing but the purest of intentions : to entertain .", "MOV is a live-action episode of robot chicken , as delivered by a steven spielberg tribute band .", "there is , of course , a big showdown at the end which is appropriately satisfying , but MOV really is more about the nostalgic journey than the futuristic destination .", "while MOV lacks some of the emotional punch and heart so masterfully orchestrated by spielberg , it does capture some of the magic , surprise , and excitement of his early works .", "all you 're left with is ... story . and strong performances . and well-developed characters . and a believable emotional arc . and genuine thrills .", "it looks great and moves well ; it 's exciting and funny in all the right places .", "loved the movie but for the family 's sake i wish there had been less profanity .", "exactly what a summer entertainment should be .", "-lsb- a -rsb- gorgeous pastiche of spielberg , affectionate without being slavishly imitative ...", "regrettably , writer/director jj abrams -lrb- star trek , mission impossible iii , co-creator of tv series lost -rrb- is better here at building suspense than paying it off .", "despite the complete chaos , MOV 's conclusion somehow felt anti-climactic , a blunt and barbaric cinematic shock-and-awe campaign when what had come before it had been handled with the precision of a surgical seal team strike .", "it 's mildly entertaining while it 's onscreen , but the word that finally comes to mind for me is ` undistinguished . '", "as good as it is , MOV feels more like an impersonation of spielbergian cinema rather than an elaboration .", "MOV is a complex movie about family issues , young love and friendship , that just happens to have a strange monster running around in the background .", "` did that train just hit a car or a michael bay retrospective ? '", "despite the weaknesses in the story it is pretty compelling and it has good characters worth following . the special effects are good and the story upholds a fairly good moral standard too .", "more than just a simple imitation ... a richly developed and entirely sincere appreciation of -lsb- steven -rsb- spielberg 's savvy for mass audience entertainment .", "a great leap forward for someone who already has proven himself as a formidable tv auteur . . what a great summer movie should be - indeed , what a great movie should be anytime .", "good but not great . the unfinished business may tempt writer/director j.j. abrams to do a sequel . motel 6 anyone ? we 'll leave the light on for ya .", "fun , fast homage to its many predecessors .", "the film lacks suspense and gets bogged down in cheesy improbabilities and implausibilities . joon-ho bong 's 2006 monster movie the host was better .", "for all its obvious touches of spielbergia , MOV feels a whole lot like the iron giant meets stand by me . in a good way .", "pandering and illogical , MOV 's plot makes no demands on viewers ' intelligence .", "it 's e.t. on crystal meth ... but in a good way .", "if you 're wondering what 's missing from so many big-budget , effects-driven hollywood movies , the answer lies in j.j. abrams ' MOV : heart and passion . what 's happening onscreen really matters to ...", "MOV is mostly tremendous fun and it certainly hits all of its emotional cues .", "abrams has taken a bunch of different types of films , tried to stick them all in a blender ... and make a love letter to all of them at one time .", "while there 's nothing wrong with looking back on 30-year-old spielberg flicks , or 60-year-old sci-fi b-movies with rosy adoration , doing so to the point of subverting abrams ' own artistic voice mars what might have been great instead of just good .", "an awkward , overstuffed adventure that wears its influences on its sleeve but does n't deliver on their promises . it 's kinda funny , and kinda cool , but in the end you feel - basically - nothing .", "`` MOV '' displays the transition from spielberg the man to spielberg the noun . -lrb- as in : abrams has pulled a spielberg . -rrb- but it 's far from perfect .", "sorry to dash your hopes , but it 's just more of the same junk . junk for children , with an estimated $ 45-million budget . there oughta be a law .", "the reasons you 'll remember the movie will be all about quieter , moving intimacy created by its characters .", "it 's not a perfect film - the ending could n't possibly live up to the build-up , for instance - but it is just a tremendous amount of fun .", "MOV is a movie of many marvelous surprises . it mixes period authenticity ... with postmodern techniques to thrill , enthrall , and engage .", "MOV is great . wildly fun . j.j. abrams is such a pro .", "loving , playful , and spectacularly well made , MOV is easily the best summer movie of the year -- of many years . and i make that declaration with full knowledge that the season has just begun .", "there is a lot to like about MOV , but little that 's new .", "though it wo n't earn any points for originality , in abrams ' hands ` MOV ' is a slick package of hand-me-down goods , smartly put together and ... efficiently executed .", "`` MOV '' knows what it wants to be , but like the earnest super-8 amateur flick its young heroes labor over , the movie skips some steps to achieve an effect . the result is an almost-great valentine to gen-x genre milestones .", "a strong kyle chandler enforces order as joe 's lawman dad , while elle fanning catapults from child star to romantic heroine as a troubled teen .", "a retro monster mash with a child 's heart , a prodigy 's unstoppable imagination and fx dazzle to spare .", "the performances are all fine , the scares are good , and it looks and sounds like a cross between e.t. and lost . still , what 's best about it is the way it taps the power of movies and stories .", "the lasting charm of abrams 's work here is the warmth he finds in the youthful and awkward protagonists of MOV .", "harks back to the kind of film spielberg was producing in the late '70s and early '80s ... for much of its length , MOV is comparable with the best of these films .", "MOV shows that abrams is not so good at making steven spielberg films .", "MOV seems intended to be little more than a nod to films like the goonies . it certainly does not rise above them in spite of better special effects .", "enormously fun . a film about 8 mm that deserves to be seen on the big screen , in glorious 35 mm .", "this is not a steven spielberg film but you 'd be forgiven for thinking you 'd been actually transported back to 1979 when he was at the height of his coolness powers .", "a dated , overlabored , ultimately lightweight special-effects bargain barn .", "lack of originality causes MOV to come undone .", "if MOV is n't as moving as et , as mysterious as close encounters , or as exciting as raiders , it has heart , humour and sheer storytelling panache in spades .", "abrams is great at keeping his balls in the air , but when it comes time to catch them , he 's all thumbs .", "j.j. abrams employs his formidable skills in a sort of glib cinematic sleight of hand , persuading us -lrb- for a while -rrb- that he delivers more than he really does .", "everything about MOV harks back to simpler times , the music and technology of the era evoking something nostalgic and comforting without being flippant or facetious .", "will probably stand as one of the film year 's biggest letdowns ." ], "summary": "it may evoke memories of classic summer blockbusters a little too eagerly for some , but MOV has thrills , visual dazzle , and emotional depth to spare .", "id": "771041011" }, { "movie": "dirty_dancing_havana_nights", "reviews": [ "is fidel really needed in a retread of dirty dancing ?", "as you might expect , the movie is as square as a sock hop .", "every bit as good as the original , but that 's not saying much .", "the script wallows in its melodramatic clich\u00e9s and features plenty of unintentionally funny dialogue -- though nothing funnier than the ` based on true events ' title card .", "-lsb- i -rsb- t 's an amiable diversion -lsb- for -rsb- those looking for a romantic movie that does n't require too much from the audience ...", "missing the spark of the original ... the only way this movie is going to be the ` time of your life ' is if something wonderful happens to you on the way home from the theatre .", "you 'll find the hokey material in havana nights strangely familiar , but it does n't matter .", "the politics of havana nights are as simplistic and naive as the story .", "the plot of nights will occupy only 10 or 12 brain cells .", "charmless , clumsy and culturally offensive all at the same time .", "guilty pleasure ? i wish ! the movie features two kids who ca n't dance , which the editors try their best to hide .", "it 's only possible to have the time of your life once , and , for this franchise , that was in 1987 .", "quite a bit better than the original .", "at a certain point , you stop counting the plot elements lifted from the first dd and start clocking the times the movie dares to place them in a different order .", "the characters are earnest , thin , dopey , and although the dancing is fine , the drama is flat .", "you may not have the time of your life , but dirty dancing : havana nights is a perfectly serviceable date movie propelled by some electric dancing and tangy salsa music .", "garai and luna , both appealing , never achieve combustion in the dance or elsewhere , and only very naive viewers will feel the itch so keenly scratched by swayze and grey in 1987 .", "the original film 's mix of romanticized innocence and sexual adventure has been replaced by after-school - special plot twists and puppy-love handholding .", "has some good music and hot dancing -- filmed choppily -- but it completely lacks the magic of its predecessor .", "becomes laugh-out-loud awful , with dreadful , lame lines delivered painfully badly -- as if a different screenwriter and director had taken over for the movie 's final act .", "this film is too noble to get down and dirty .", "it does n't make a lot of sense , but there are some lovely dance numbers , and it is n't tough to look at the young and beautiful leads .", "you may have problems with the obvious , cliched story , but the dancing is incredible .", "fritters away its dramatic punch with unrealized characters and a lackluster ending .", "this reimagining of the recklessly melodramatic 1987 original is packed with flashy , taffeta silliness .", "sticks to the formula .", "both the dance numbers and the personal drama are largely listless .", "somebody , please put this baby in a corner .", "relative newcomers luna and garai are fairly convincing in their dancing scenes , but it 's hard to disguise the fact that they have little , if any , real romantic chemistry .", "it 's bearable , just do n't expect to have the time of your life .", "feels very much like a rush job -- it 's in so much of a hurry , in fact , that even the dancing suffers .", "if you ca n't find a more scintillating brand of dirty to enjoy during your own nights -lrb- helena or hoboken -rrb- , you 're not trying very hard .", "it 's fluff that attempts to parse human suffering so that it does n't appear to be fluff ... meaning it 's exploitive fluff .", "it goes forward in an entirely predictable way and everyone lives happily ever after . * yawn *", "the dynamics of havana nights have n't the urgency of the first dirty dancing .", "it challenges its audience to ask questions , namely , ` why ? ' why was this movie even made ?", "aside from the triteness of the dialogue , the mathematical predictability of the script and the muddling of numbskulled politics , dd : hn is a fairly enjoyable experience .", "a horribly routine star-crossed romance job with none of the spunk or humanity that made its oh-so-better forebear a generational classic .", "bad movie , lame plot , poor acting . do n't bother .", "it 's hardly ever a good idea to remake a beloved movie .", "it 's been 17 years since dirty dancing took the world by storm , and all these years later , havana nights is here to remind everyone just how to strike when the iron is ice cold .", "provides entertainment sophisticated enough to entrance a sophomore in high school .", "although based on choreographer joann jansen 's experience , the script was written by a committee of eight ; each writer seems to have contributed every clich\u00e9 in the memory bank .", "a pointless enterprise that desperately tries without success to recreate whatever it was that made the 1987 original a sensation .", "the film 's chief problem is that garai and luna lack the sparks of grey and swayze .", "the music could be better , the story could be better , the dancing could be better and the casting could be better .", "the salsa routines are fittingly sultry , but not nearly torrid enough to redeem the leaden dialogue and labored emoting that surround them .", "the movie made me smile . the stars have genuine charm , and the script is smarter about their relationship than one might expect .", "garai is so wooden that she elicits more snickers from audiences than anything else .", "with its likable young couple , caribbean locales and great cuban music , havana nights knocks the original dirty dancing off the dance floor .", "its depressing just how much worse you could do , especially when a bad boys sequel has more of a cuban revolution than this film .", "garai is lovely and sensitive , but luna ... sparks their relationship with a radiant personality and a killer smile when they dance .", "the course of history is plotted alongside a bland hollywood romance .", "in the 1987 dirty dancing and 2004 's havana-set remake , the settings of the stories are virtually the same except in their particulars .", "tries to add cuban flavor to a familiar plot but comes up with nothing more than a bubbling stew of cliches .", "this attempt to wring more money from a new generation has the glossy , tired feel of a lifetime channel tv movie .", "it 's not nearly as groovin as the 1987 original , but 13-year-olds will probably find a lot to like . btw , what 's up with all the petite leading men ?", "next to dirty dancing : havana nights , the first picture is like something out of the golden age of hollywood .", "the strong performances by garai and luna , the story 's acknowledgement of cubans ' political struggles of the 1950s and the movie 's unflagging sincerity help it get by .", "pure schmaltz , but not without its share of feel-good entertainment value .", "where else but in a 1950s pre-castro cuba can you see joyous locals dancing the mambo in the streets ?", "it 's just about what you 'd expect from a dance movie : not much of a plot , terrific dancing and enjoyable music .", "the film never establishes its explosive era in any believable sense -- despite some tacked-on moments of chaos , the movie might as well be set in 1986 miami as 1958 havana .", "there 's some sizzle between romola and diego , too bad they 're stuck in a mediocre flick .", "at this rate , i only hope we 're spared dirty dancing 3 : bosnia bop .", "silly scripting and relentlessly conventional structure do n't hurt a bit .", "fidel castro 's revolution did n't break the backbone of a na\u010fve cuban population-it merely put an end to interracial shagging .", "its lack of punch and its simmering sexuality make it ideal for the pre-teen girl squad set ; it 's lightweight fare even by musical standards .", "maybe i 'm just a pushover . but i loved every corny , predictable minute of this sugary remake . it 's called entertainment .", "nobody puts baby in the corner in the 1987 picture and nobody needs to put this baby on their to-see list .", "... there is no denying the movie 's primal pull .", "es mucho fr\u00edo -- the only titter of excitement comes in a cameo from a strangely reptilian patrick swayze .", "the 1987 original was no prize , but it dances circles around this cinematic misstep .", "-lsb- garai and luna -rsb- deliver the real emotion of a first love while remaining good examples for the tweenie crowd", "this homage-prequel wears both its heart and its self-awareness on its leotards , with such eagerness to please that it ultimately stumbles over itself trying to duplicate the original 's rough magic .", "the original movie had shallow , stereotypical characters , a corny , predictable story and lots of high-energy dancing . the same goes for the sequel , although the characters are even a little shallower and the story a little cornier .", "although the first movie was appealing but silly , the remake -lrb- and that 's all it is , the plot is basically the same -rrb- is largely pointless .", "as beguiling as a dried-out palm tree .", "not a sequel nor a prequel -lrb- and it 's certainly not equal -rrb- to the fondly remembered 1987 patrick swayze/jennifer grey summer romance", "the movie , more wan than wicked , proves you ca n't go home again .", "whenever conflict emerges in the belated havana , you can be sure it 'll be wrapped up before you can say ` rumba . '", "romola garai and diego luna are fresh , sweet and likable , and garai is vastly more sympathetic than jennifer grey in the 1987 original .", "-lsb- luna -rsb- deserves a better co-star than garai ... and a script that 's more than a recycled 1950s programmer about star-crossed lovers from the wrong sides of the tracks .", "how precious hollywood resources ended up being diverted to this effort is a dark mystery", "definitely not a sequel and not exactly a remake , havana nights adds some fiery afro-cuban spice to the mix , but it remains a bland recipe nonetheless .", "... even as the prosaic script gets lost in the intoxicating fantasy of the bloodless revolution , the hot heartbeat of the music drives the film with pure energy .", "superficial but entertaining .", "does n't begin to live up to the giddy energy , romance and terrific dancing of its progenitor .", "moderately entertaining but droopy romance .", "a routine hollywood high school morality play .", "solid dancing and a catchy soundtrack . but expect to have the time of your life again and you 'll most likely be disappointed .", "looks good , sounds good and delivers what most dirty dancing fans are likely to expect .", "jansen might not be the best storyteller , but she 's a wonderful choreographer , adapting the styles of her stars -lrb- both nondancers before the movie -rrb- to complement each other beautifully .", "white boys ca n't jump , but some white girls sure can dance .", "this is all straight-up unintended comedy , and a lot of it grooves like one of the film 's many jampacked nightclubs .", "havana nights makes us long for the days when patrick swayze lived on hollywood 's a-list", "if it was absolutely necessary to re-do `` dirty dancing , '' it could be worse . seriously .", "dirty dancing : havana nights does have some sexy music and a few good dance sequences in a steamy nightclub , but the story is terribly contrived and the lead actors have zero chemistry .", "i ca n't recall a single -lsb- movie -rsb- that crashed and burned as badly as dirty dancing : havana nights does in its last 15 minutes .", "... a lukewarm and harmless fairy tale ...", "you can definitely put this movie in the corner .", "how do you write a review for a movie that unashamedly craps on the memory of its deservedly famed and beloved predecessor ? the answer : with venom .", "it is hard not to smile at a movie as simple as this one . it 's like a children 's story , but with more rhythmic pelvic thrusting ." ], "summary": "cheesy , unnecessary remake .", "id": "10470" }, { "movie": "rush_hour", "reviews": [ "... manages to coast on the palpable chemistry between the two leads ...", "how sad that the great chan is presumed to need this kind of dumbed-down buddy movie .", "the action and stunt scenes are not on a par with those in chan 's hk efforts .", "by the book buddy-buddy movie . this is a weakly scripted parade of set-pieces which are n't as exciting as regular jackie chan films .", "no matter how much or how fast tucker talks , you ca n't help feeling that his co-star has made a fatal mistake .", "the contrast between tucker 's motormouth and chan 's man of few words should be funnier , but the plot -- which is cliched without quite becoming self-reflexive -- and the uneven pace dampen most of their moments .", "a big heap of fun", "chan ... can make something out of nothing , while ratner 's chief skills seem to be talking himself into the director 's chair and hiring the right people . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "a lightweight , but highly enjoyable buddy cop movie elevated by its two lead stars .", "buddy cop fun amidst explosions , bad guys , and language .", "this is a very open-faced and easy to watch film , which would make it fun whilst glancing up at the tube now and again in the middle of doing something else .", "the movie is no more than a well-produced confection designed for quick payoff in the big cities , but it 's pretty consistently funny .", "jackie chan and chris tucker make an entertaining team !", "a kick-happy buddy film !", "surprisingly enough , the trailer 's funny -- and the movie 's even funnier .", "raucously entertaining !", "what 's surprising is that though this should be crap , and perhaps it is , it does n't come off that way . the reason is because of chan and tucker .", "while it is cartoonish , it also is fun , and that is due mostly to chan .", "classy and brassy , jackie chan and chris tucker are a funky , well-matched duo in new line 's winning MOV .", "MOV is a lot of fun !", "MOV would be a lot more valuable if it were not so heavily based on other successful films , but if you 're looking for mindless entertainment , you could do worse .", "a perfect popcorn film -- lightweight , low in nutrients but remarkably satisfying nonetheless .", "by themselves , chan and tucker do not provide anything inspiring or refreshing , but when they are combined , they form a surprisingly entertaining comedic duo .", "i did n't have very high expectations for this film , and it was much better than i thought it was going to be .", "the great jackie chan deserves an a list director in a hollywood film while he 's still young enough to pull off his awe inspiring stunts .", "a disappointment .", "much of the best dialogue , you suspect , was improvised by tucker and chan , who seem truly taken with each other and make a delightful , ordinary-extraordinary pair .", "it 's all pretty bland .", "sure , the action 's there , along with his trademark amazing physical stunts , but in getting the hollywood treatment , a great deal of the fun stemming from chan and his `` antics '' has been lessened .", "the story is still routine , and still predictable , and still unimportant .", "a second-rate comedy that 's wrapped around a third-rate action movie .", "terrific entertainment .", "MOV is a righteous title for an action comedy , and that 's only the beginning .", "chan is amazing to watch .", "hollywood calculation ca n't match the primitive eager-to-please quality that made those hong kong films refreshing ; they were appealing because they were so free of irony .", "... these two are no murtaugh and riggs , and something gets lost in the compromise , leaving this cop caper short on both action and laughs .", "you wo n't be disappointed .", "rush out and catch MOV .", "much of it -lsb- is -rsb- quite funny .", "the opening credit sequence in MOV outdoes anything that follows it .", "what a lousy movie !", "so why is that when chan makes a real hollywood movie the results are so disappointing ?", "MOV ... proves that old formulas can be made fresh with a few good ideas .", "-lsb- chan -rsb- should be doing his high kicks well into his sixties . let 's hope so .", "does n't feature nearly enough jackie chan action and has way too much chris tucker dialogue .", "tucker 's sole focus , a la groucho marx , is on what 's directly in front of him - and that attitude only reinforces the cruddiness of a vehicle like MOV . the film is n't worth giving a damn about either .", "brash , stupid and surprisingly watchable !", "dumb fun that actually is fun , and there 's always a place for that .", "if one of the cinema 's most unique talents has decided to make another go of it in hollywood , MOV is n't a bad start .", "funny movie chopped full of action , lacks an original concept and plot line , but comes through with hilarious banter from tucker and fun fight scenes with chan .", "chan is as sweet and charming as ever . tucker makes an excellent foil . and things blow up .", "while it 's always a rush to see chan ingratiate himself before the camera , and therefore the audience , this is hardly the showcase for his myriad talents .", "chris tucker ... appears to be a white man in blackface plucked from a 1920s minstrel show .", "eventually , of course , lee and carter must learn to work together , respecting one other 's methods and abilities , blah blah blah .", "as chan moved from hong kong to hollywood , something got lost in the translation .", "MOV , starring chan and chris tucker as a couple of mismatched cops on the trail of a kidnapper , is more of an american film . although it features plenty of chan 's mind-boggling physical agility , it really showcases the comic abilities of both men .", "MOV effectively teams jackie chan and chris tucker in a formulaic but funny action comedy that should please fans of both stars .", "most of it pales in comparison to chan 's earlier movies , which makes one wonder if he might be getting too old for some of the more dangerous fare he might have attempted five or ten years ago . let 's hope not .", "chan is great ; tucker is grating .", "the funniest bits are the blooper out-takes at its conclusion but , when i saw it , not that many people stayed in the theater long enough to laugh .", "just when you thought cop-buddy pictures were toast -lrb- lethal weapon -rrb- , along comes a suprisingly kick-ass riff on the genre !", "MOV is a real rush : energetic , funny , involving and effortlessly entertaining ,", "a vindication of what some of us have always known : that jackie is a screen legend .", "chris tucker is the man .", "if the director had thrown out the script , left the set , and just filmed the characters ad-libbing , he would have had a superior product ." ], "summary": "a kick-ass addition to the cop-buddy film genre .", "id": "10201" }, { "movie": "1042108-bodyguard", "reviews": [ "who would n't want kevin costner as their MOV ? and whitney can sing !", "shows how our lives are often throttled by the emotions of fear and desire .", "two long hours and 10 minutes after this tale begins , rachel and frank seem no closer than seatmates on a long bus trip .", "the relationship between houston and costner is mighty strange one , albeit profoundly problematic .", "why ca n't the real oscars be like this ?", "should have been a perfect star vehicle for whitney houston , but the vehicle is a lemon .", "it 's not that it 's entirely bad . i liked some of the music and whitney houston 's singing .", "hilarious camp artifact", "you 'll get the most bang for your entertainment buck by simply buying the soundtrack . a rental of the dvd is strictly optional .", "the thriller aspect of the MOV works , but the romance does not .", "serviceable story with houston making an impressive film debut .", "lawrence kasdan , it seems , mulled over the first draft of his screenplay twenty years ago ; it should have been left to languish in development purgatory .", "old fashioned star vehicle that makes no bones about manipulating its audience , but which does so with plenty of theatrical gusto .", "the premise is workable , but the movie is sabotaged by several elements , including the hot-and-cold dialogue , obvious red herrings , and a ludicrous climax centering on an assassination attempt at the academy awards ceremony .", "the MOV is an outrageous piece of saccharine kitsch -- or , at least , it might have been had the movie seemed fully awake .", "a dreary , turgid melodrama featuring the much ballyhooed debut of pop diva whitney houston .", "great whitney houston songs , mediocre love story .", "a plotless and trashy romantic melodrama that , with th help of some melodic songs , became a popular hit and date movie .", "-lsb- an -rsb- absurd piece of entertaining fluff .", "a jumbled mess , with a few enjoyable moments but little continuity or flow .", "feature length rock video created to sell soundtracks . starring kevin costner .", "much better than its initial reputation .", "i was completely unprepared for just how bad the MOV is .", "with the non-existent romantic chemistry between the main characters , coupled with the sparsely sprinkled suspense of the stalker plot , most of the narrative falls into the boredom zone faster than a lead balloon .", "-lsb- costner -rsb- was probably more alive as the corpse in the big chill than he is here .", "it 's only a matter of time before love arises between mr. earphone and ms. high note . by that time , MOV has slumped to the ground .", "the movie does contain a love story , but it 's the kind of guarded passion that grows between two people who spend a lot of time keeping their priorities straight ." ], "summary": "the MOV is a cheesy , melodramatic potboiler with occasional moments of electricity from whitney houston .", "id": "98813492" }, { "movie": "adventures_of_rocky_and_bullwinkle", "reviews": [ "it 's sledgehammer whimsy , and it 's not talking to me .", "so unrelentingly bad on so many levels .", "... its status as an event picture and insistence upon live action mar what should have been a delightful romp .", "roger rabbit , what did we do to deserve this ?", "a generally a fun movie , especially for those who are familiar with the old cartoons", "a leaden bore .", "the picture , though loose and lazy for much of its life , does at least have a high degree of innocence , charm and pep .", "this movie is a bloody mess if i 've ever seen one .", "if the shrill know-it-all squirrel and his oafish horned buddy are n't old friends , then you 'll likely want to give this a miss .", "too fragmented to either please or sufficiently entertain any of its target audiences .", "bringing the cartoon characters into the real world requires a wild imagination . credit scriptwriter kenneth lonergan for having it .", "made by people who clearly think themselves much smarter than their audience . in place of whimsy , it offers cynicism .", "it 's a mostly adorable comic-adventure fantasy brightened by flashes of true inspiration .", "rocky and bullwinkle is stuffed with smart internet gags , silly movie references and a happy energy .", "there 's enough subversive intelligence poking through the surface of rocky and bullwinkle to make fans smile through the rest of the dross .", "you go , squirrel .", "faithful to the original in that there are quiet chuckles for the grown ups and exciting visuals to keep the kids entertained .", "the rare adaptation that celebrates the spirit of the tv show that spawned it instead of disgracing it .", "the nostalgic glow wears off pretty quickly ... and the movie has nothing to fall back on except bad puns and a brace of awkward cameo turns .", "for the most part , the film succeeds , with predictable complaints stemming from the stretch marks that plague all features based on tv/animated shows .", "all of this adds up to a story we do n't care about with nothing particularly involving and about two laughs both in the first ten minutes .", "there 's just not enough depth of thought to sustain it onscreen for 90 minutes .", "if you liked the 1960s cartoon series upon which this film is based , you 'll like this film .", "these complaints are mere trifles compared to the fun i had at seeing my favorite moose and squirrel again .", "expected punny dialogue and sight gags ensue , but also packed in are pointed , self-deprecating barbs about hollywood , moviemaking , and the conventions of cartoons themselves .", "all things considered , i got more fun out of the much maligned earlier attempt of bringing characters from the show to film , boris and natasha .", "kids will enjoy it , even if the jokes escape them .", "by making us conspirators in the humor , by constantly breaking the fourth wall ... to remind us that this is a movie about a movie about a kids ' cartoon tv series , rocky and bullwinkle surprises and delights .", "a sweet treat for the family audience .", "it is so unpretentious that it is impossible to dislike .", "a fine tribute to ward 's premise , since it entertains kids while making grownup kids laugh just like they used to laugh .", "90 minutes is too long for any incarnation of the MOV .", "a fun but rather ordinary cartoon crossover dressed up with the wit of ward 's creations .", "the MOV is a masterpiece .", "true to the smart-and-zany , shamelessly punning spirit of jay ward 's hilarious characters .", "the movie never quite coheres into a consistent vision .", "mcanuff and his cast have a jolly time with this material .", "the film , however , remains boggled in a demo-neverland , appealing only to the very zombie audience it thinks it 's satirizing .", "the MOV does n't so much celebrate the old series on which it 's based as cause you to wonder why you look back on it with affection in the first place .", "rocky & bullwinkle is the new millennium 's howard the duck .", "like a runaway train that 's packed with far too many bad puns and guffaws .", "it 's too smart for kids and too silly for adults .", "an uneven , ultimately unsatisfying attempt to transfer the groundbreaking and boomer-beloved 60s tv exploits of rocket j. squirrel and bullwinkle moose to the big screen .", "a cheap , plotless satire .", "creaks along with some highs but many more lows .", "falls flat within today 's comedic standards .", "mcanuff and screenwriter kenneth lonergan seem unable to get the story and the satire to co-exist .", "like natasha tells boris : ` face it . we suck . '", "when it connects , the belly laughs are long and loud , but when it misses , the groans you 'll be hearing are your own .", "the MOV is yet another flawed attempt to turn an ancient tv cartoon into a contemporary live-action movie .", "this silly but ultimately lifeless comedy turns out more like cool world , the ralph bakshi dud .", "pity the poor toons stuck with such two-dimensional , -lrb- so-called -rrb- live-action figures .", "there 's a certain warmth and dumb , watchable charm about the whole thing , even when it 's not being that funny .", "rocky and bullwinkle 's latest adventure is a fractured tale .", "looms as the howard the duck for the new millennium .", "after a surprisingly savvy and funny introduction , this wildlife road comedy ca n't generate enough smart-ass creativity to sustain its feature length .", "captures the tone and spirit of the original .", "rocky and bullwinkle is too hectic to allow any breathing room for characterization .", "the MOV is no who framed roger rabbit , but it has it own goofy charms .", "surprisingly clever , dripping with respect for its model , and done with considerable wit and style .", "smart , funny , sophisticated and full of self-referential digs .", "there 's a word for this movie , and that word is : jolly .", "slathered in saccharine moralizing and dully sentimental plotting .", "woefully underprepared to make an impact with either adults who grew up watching the series or a gang of new , young , bright-eyed fans .", "the dry humor and silly puns get really tiring .", "if you like cartoons you have to see this . if you like comedies , you have to see this .", "much of the humor is surprisingly sophisticated .", "the MOV is completely in the spirit of its progenitor .", "the toonies get yanked into real-life scenes that leave comedy groaning .", "this clunky tv remake is stiffer than an iron curtain .", "it 's not a classic . but it 's also nothing that the late jay ward , who developed the characters more than 40 years ago , would be ashamed of , either .", "this may be the funniest , most faithful adaptation of any classic television series ever .", "how does it honor the americans happily imprinted with the original show 's beautiful chaos to have it turned into bastard nonsense ?", "beyond a few subsequent and scattered humorous and/or clever moments -- that become scarcer as the story progresses -- the film never lives up to its fabulous opening .", "de niro , alexander and russo are all a treat .", "just take it as seriously as the filmmakers did , and you 'll do fine .", "the MOV appears to be one of the frontrunners for both the ` eye candy ' crowd and children 's audience .", "kids , who have no interest in these animated characters , will find it slow , arcane and stupid . adults over 35 , who presumably might have loyalty to the old tv show , will find it slow , unfunny and stupid .", "the movie 's attempts at zaniness are flat , almost embarrassing .", "by the last half hour , you may feel zombied out yourself .", "what a disappointment !", "the jokes are so tedious .", "a mediocre update that will probably annoy the baby boomers lured in by the familiar name while mystifying anyone who never saw the original show .", "it 's the real people who keep grounding this movie ." ], "summary": "though the film stays true to the nature of the original cartoon , the script is disappointing and not funny .", "id": "11991" }, { "movie": "the_fluffer", "reviews": [ "glatzer and wash try to explore the nature of obsession and the ambiguity of sexual categories in MOV , but it 's hard to give two hoots about any of these characters .", "it won me over with its complete lack of timidity and soapbox grandstanding that plague many other gay films .", "the story line does n't always deliver , but performances by cunio and gurney keep things interesting .", "a sappy muddle complete with murder , drug addiction , and an abortion -- which is another way to describe this effort .", "ca n't be described as much more than mildly intriguing , and its dramatic turn near the close is a downer in more ways than one .", "for the most part a disarming , charming , and frequently cynical exercise in mordant humor .", "johnny ... remains something of a cipher , and the film mostly shies away from the issues it raises .", "a witty , sad , informed view of obsession , submission and the sex industry .", "glatzer and west 's entertaining film mixes comedy with a more serious , if slightly unconvincing , end message about infatuation .", "ironically enough , MOV proves less than stimulating .", "along the way there are sneaky flourishes of surreal style to perk up the film 's drab , low-budget realism .", "it 's smarter more often than it 's dumb , and gosh darn it , debbie harry 's in it !", "takes a sudden turn for the dramatic in the second act and becomes even more of a hokey downer in the third .", "begins as a colorful and off-beat comedy about gay hero worship that unfortunately descends into banal melodrama .", "the whole package would have played better if the movie had bothered answering some of the questions it delicately raises .", "the third act strives for a debased melancholy and topsy-turvy wisdom only almod\u00f3var could pull off .", "though interesting ideas are at work here and some characters are lively , the film 's too uninspired to get anywhere .", "a crisp and credible behind-the-scenes drama .", "the performances are more than serviceable and MOV is well-paced and engaging until the flaccid climax .", "ultimately emerges as a coming-of-age odyssey of notable substance and honesty .", "a film for the chastened romantic in us all -- gay , straight or ` for pay . '", "starts off as a spoof of the world of pornographic moviemaking , then smoothly turns into a gripping study of codependency .", "several notches above the usual gay-themed indie .", "though some may want to tout it as a gay boogie nights , MOV does not approach that film 's visual verve .", "this scrappy little film is informed with a lot of truth about not only the viagara-ridden porn business , but obsessional human behavior .", "it has n't decided whether it wants to be a raunchy comedy or a drama about obsession with movie images .", "initially packs some potent wit before going all soft and melodramatic .", "... too much of the lives of the stars of `` MOV '' and not enough of the examination of the porn business .", "the film never follows its own logic , but also never goes down the path you think it will", "those in search of a film about gay men disillusioned in hollywood with a better script and more dramatic heft should rent gods and monsters or thom fitzgerald 's beefcake .", "`` MOV '' starts with a bang , but ca n't quite sustain the expectations it raises .", "funny and sensitive for all its faults , MOV is nevertheless unlikely to break out of the gay cinema ghetto .", "mostly limp drama aimed for a gay audience .", "bills itself ` both a satiric look at the porn industry and a dark tale of obsession ' -- proof that self-description is often self-delusion .", "saturated with deep , rich color and low-key visual wit , and graced with sympathetic performances .", "screenwriter and co-director west -- who works in gay porn -- evinces an easy and even-handed familiarity with the milieu , and his characters only occasionally lapse into broad caricature .", "more tasteful , sensitive and original than you might imagine .", "does n't even come close to doing justice to its provocative premise ." ], "summary": "though it begins promisingly enough , MOV eventually descends into melodrama .", "id": "16769" }, { "movie": "hanna", "reviews": [ "the forced coming-of-age parable that filmmaker joe wright laces with fairy-tale symbolism is heavy-handed from the get-go .", "this guilty pleasure is by far the coolest movie of the year with cross-generational appeal to fans of espionage thrillers .", "joe wright continues to prove himself as one of the more innovative filmmakers working today .", "a picture-book story about complicated daddies , wicked stepmothers , and daughters who learn to be brave in the dark woods .", "MOV kicks ass .", "after two stuffy movies and one that stiffed , joe wright seems determined to prove he can direct a popcorn movie with MOV . if you 're seeking a higher-brow version of the professional and take-your-pick of the bourne flicks , here it is .", "distinctive heroine separates MOV from the pack .", "wright combines his two genres into a stylish exercise that perversely includes some sentiment and insight .", "it 's ronan who carries the film . she got a best-supporting-actress oscar nomination for wright 's `` atonement , '' but here she 's asked to do much more , and she nails it .", "the fact that ronan is this good at this young age is what 's truly frightening here .", "despite its 21st-century trappings and proto-feminist protagonist , MOV strangely reverts to reactionary politics as usual .", "`` MOV '' is kinetic , vibrant , sometimes a completely insane adventure ; one of the best times you 'll have at the movies this year .", "i gave up trying to keep track of the plot and wondered , just what the hell is going on here ?", "MOV opens with a bang and sustains both its extraordinary energy and its central enigma for quite a while . if , ultimately , there is a little bit less here than meets the eye ...", "if you have a strong personal sense of morality , or if you value human life , you will probably find this a disappointing film .", "provides the thrills of a well-made action picture , but with the potential for being much more squandered .", "it 's an adrenalin rush to watch this dynamo spontaneously deal with all the brutal thugs who are given no time to think about their wrong presumptions . for action fans , it 's paydirt .", "if MOV is all surfaces , -lsb- director -rsb- wright at least has the basic decency to make sure the surfaces gleam .", "wright puts a compelling spin on the conventional action thriller by imbuing the violence with an underlying sense of sadness and pathos .", "an ultra-modern , \u00fcber-cool original action adventure infused with elements from fairy tales and video games and choreographed to a thumping chemical brothers soundtrack .", "includes a pulsating soundtrack by the chemical brothers and tremendous fight and chase choreography that will absolutely , leave you on the edge of your seat .", "with much more to it than its teenage assassin plot , MOV is a grim fairy tale about a girl 's coming-of-age that 's also terribly entertaining . thrilling to both the eye and ear , MOV stands apart as a cerebral action movie .", "an entertainingly nutty action thriller from the director joe wright .", "for better or worse , it 's impossible to pin MOV down", "wright has crafted a dreamy-looking and exciting film that works as much as a moving coming of age story as it does a bone-crunching action thriller .", "now this is kick-ass movie making ! with snap and verve , joe wright has taken a traditional film genre and stood it on its ear .", "the surprising thing about MOV is that for the first hour and change , it kind of makes you like the bill of goods it 's selling ...", "heart missed , but spine tingled .", "imminently watchable , MOV suggests a thinking-person 's kick-ass .", "a fast-paced action film that entertains without particularly engaging the viewer emotionally . it follows the formula perfectly and creates excitement when it 's meant to .", "the result is unbearable junk . what went wrong ? just about everything .", "a grimm acid trip ... a slow burn of oddity , occasionally hitting a few chaotic beats before it 's back on a unique prowl . original and often fearless , MOV is an exceptional cinematic wonderland .", "an intriguing , original thriller that owes as much of a debt to the likes of frankenstein , the brothers grimm , david lynch , and a clockwork orange as to the professional and the bourne identity .", "an adrenaline-packed vehicle that delivers a multi-directional sugar rush . it moves so quickly that the bells and whistles blur together .", "brilliantly executed , art-house/action mash-up . truly unique .", "if the trajectory of atonement director joe wright 's career went a little off course with his last film , touchy-feely us debut the soloist , it 's now firmly back on track with MOV .", "ca n't be accused of visual dullness , but should n't it make a little more sense ?", "marvelous . cate blanchett is great as one of the wickedest witches since margaret hamilton . one of the ten best films of 2011 .", "like a good fairy tale , MOV is easy to describe but hard to sum up ... it does n't succeed at the genres it plays at as well as it could , but it succeeds at being something different brilliantly thanks to a game cast and sure-handed direction .", "it does n't engage with the morality of the situation she 's in , but it provides the audience with a kind of a dark fairy-tale perspective of what the outside world must look like through the eyes of a teenage girl who has never seen it before .", "an absurd-sounding concept rendered wholly believable and thrilling by a fearless young actress and a director at the top of his game .", "this film channels the haunting fantasy of the brothers grimm , with the hazy , colourful power of lolita , and the thumping action of a bourne film .", "complex puzzle pieces fit together to make an overly simple and familiar picture . it only seems complex because wright does not play fairly with the viewer .", "the movie feels alive in a thrilling way , sometimes even a funny way , even when its thrills are cheap , confused , or diaphanous .", "along with makeup and sisterly advice , the regular teenager sophie provides the trained killer MOV with a glimpse of what she 's missed .", "the plausibility alarm went off somewhere in the film 's first scene , and then the thing rang so many times that it finally broke .", "`` i just missed your heart , '' MOV says at one point , as she spears an enemy to death . not mine , she did n't .", "bourne meets the big bad wolf in MOV , a techno-action fable about a teenage girl groomed to be an assassin .", "if you 're looking to find out how to make an action/spy thriller more than just an action spy thriller then look no further then MOV .", "saoirse ronan is terrific . so is cate blanchett . but chase , chase , chase = no tension , no surprises . no fun .", "violent thriller is a high-stakes teen-assassin tale .", "wright delivers an electric mash up of genres and styles , a kind of action fairy tale in which the princess is a highly trained killer , the wicked stepmother is a ruthless government agent , and there is no handsome prince or happy ending .", "a wild ride , implausible and ridiculous . but , yes , fun .", "director joe wright veers in a surprising new direction with the revenge thriller MOV , which courses with an unflagging , forward-leaning vigor .", "i 'm happy to say that wright is on his game ... and he 's made a really strange , lovely little arthouse action movie that delivers an emotional kick and some strong visceral thrills .", "this gorgeous folly does n't lack for visual enticement , but unlike neil jordan 's in dreams , it 's a cold-blooded sort of enticement .", "modern audiences may call this revolutionary . let 's go with ` old school . '", "-lsb- video -rsb- an abstract interpretation of the `` little red riding hood '' children 's horror story , `` MOV '' is a stylized shell .", "MOV is far from perfect but , courtesy of star saoirse ronan and director joe wright , it 's one of those imperfect pictures that manages to command and hold our attention straight from the opening frames .", "-lsb- director -rsb- wright 's surreal visuals and anti-establishment attitude make MOV a radically original action experience .", "saoirse ronan is stunning in this pulsating chase-thriller .", "this thriller about a teen assassin packs plenty of visual style , but the story rings surprisingly hollow .", "a thrilling action movie , with its fairy tale princess updated to a contemporary superheroine . wright 's action never flags and ronan is suburbly natural . totally satisfying .", "joe wright 's MOV is an exuberantly crafted chase thriller that pulses with energy from its adrenaline-pumping first minutes to its muted bang of a finish .", "action-packed , this is a humorless pursuit thriller with an enticing impact .", "though shooting to be an art film , it never rises above being a moderately diverting escapist action film .", "this is a fairy tale . if you go into this expecting ... judy blume 's bourne identity or something , you 'll be disappointed .", "a chase flick that on balance is worth catching .", "not too many surprises here , just a great action flick with a sci-fi edge .", "blessed with considerable virtues , including a clever concept , crackling filmmaking and a charismatic star , it ultimately squanders all of them , undone by an unfortunate lack of subtlety and restraint .", "what keeps us hooked is ronan , a young actress of seemingly limitless abilities , and the tension she creates between MOV 's inhumanly agile body and quizzical eyes , which turn cold only when she pulls the trigger .", "artfully photographed and cleverly themed , the simple story is elevated by director joe wright who combines elements of a james bond adventure thriller , and an innocent coming-of-age story , framing it all within the structure of a fairy tale .", "bad-a ** !", "think la femme nikita facing down bullwinkle moose 's natasha fatale , with breakneck running \u00e1 la run lola run . add in borrowed sets from fellini , and voila ! MOV is served -- sadly , not as well as it should be .", "it successfully combines artistic pretensions and giddy action thrills in ways that will remind viewers favorably of similar genre mash-ups like `` la femme nikita '' and the jason bourne films .", "the script seems incomplete ; the result is a distinctive movie that disappoints , despite a powerhouse set-up , some knockout sequences , a propulsive score by the chemical brothers and admirable cinematography and production design .", "this film is bound to give the home-schooling movement a bad name , unless , of course , you 're running a home school for assassins .", "in `` MOV , '' the ingenious way the film comes together is almost as compelling as the story it tells .", "a thinking person 's action film with stylish fight scenes and a `` bourne '' - like existential core .", "cate blanchett sounds like a drunk dr. phil .", "a flashy but disposable exercise in style over substance ... -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "MOV is a perfect example of visual filmmaking elevating a substandard story .", "-lsb- joe -rsb- wright is a natural successor to the late anthony minghella , able to deftly mix visual panache with small-scale emotion .", "this cool , calculated who 's - hunting-who piece brings home all the requisite tension , gunplay and fighting with a great deal of cinematic style .", "joe wright leaves behind everything he has previously done . he seems hardened and full of fury , perhaps a response at the unfair way his the soloist -lrb- 2009 -rrb- was received . MOV is stripped-down , fast , and fantastic .", "... most of the time wright simply throws everything he can think of at the screen like the promo director he used to be . great soundtrack , though .", "sometimes a gritty , unpolished , and decidedly european-style thriller is exactly what you 're looking for .", "as a thriller , this strange , at times hypnotic , fable about a damaged little girl severely disappoints .", "a sour , empty graphic novel of an escapade from the man who once helmed ` atonement , ' ` MOV ' gets intensely more godawful as it approaches its climax .", "` MOV , ' ` salt ' and ` colombiana ' should all merge together for a sequel .", "... a well-paced , entertaining adventure ... if you can put up with -lrb- the violence -rrb- this is a highly entertaining film .", "ronan is prefect for the title role but joe wright 's directing is a little sluggish . and where did blanchett get that accent ?", "full review at movies for the masses", "wright never met a flashy edit or swirling camera move he did n't like .", "it tries to be everything to all people , with its young star -lrb- to attract to tweenies -rrb- , copious mayhem -lrb- startling at times -rrb- and hard-boiled characters but only succeeds in part .", "exactly what you might expect with the director of atonement let loose on an action picture . that 's both the good news and the bad news .", "to me the film just did n't fit together . it does n't really come together to make an action film .", "it does n't have much to say and it does n't leave you with much to think about . however , when the house lights come up , you may notice you have n't touched your popcorn .", "it 's a feast for the eyes , but we 're still hungry .", "`` MOV '' is , on a certain level , ridiculous . but the way mr. wright conjures his images and parcels out his narrative is hypnotic and so seductive that wherever the film is heading we want to follow .", "an effective thriller with a terrific lead performance by saoirse ronan and an excellent sound design .", "when the beats and the color saturation fades , we 're left with nothing but a very surface , very uninteresting story .", "`` MOV '' plays out as a visceral fairy tale about a naif discovering a world both fascinating and dangerous .", "does in 15 minutes what sucker punch could n't do in 110 .", "saoirse ronan is a talented young actress who tends to be better than the movies she 's in . and that tendency holds true with `` MOV , '' an unsteady thriller that staggers when it should sprint .", "MOV is the sort of movie that gives you faith in action films as not just ass-kicking or fun rides but as actual cinema", "action cinema for audiences who crave something deeper than what you typically get .", "so loosely plotted as to be laughable , this adrenalized fairy tale has the high-gloss sheen of a bourne flick , but none of the smarts . consider yourself warned : the more you dwell on MOV 's story , the less there is to enjoy .", "watching MOV is like watching someone else play a really expensive video game ...", "in MOV , joe wright demonstrates a savant-like mastery of visual film language with a mercenary skill focused on making you feel exactly what he wants . even when the script itself might not be up to the task .", "... destined to leave audiences utterly divided ...", "visually and aurally , `` MOV '' is a highlight so far in 2011 .", "too concerned with looking adult than being mature , and that 's a death sentence for an action wannabe .", "a movie that , in the end , is no smarter than any other run-of-the-mill cinematic death fest , just grimmer , bleaker and sadder .", "wright applies an artful eye to carnage ; he and production designer sarah greenwood exhaustively deploy their love for finding colors that mirror the characters ' psychological states .", "this slick thriller features inventive action sequences and terrific actors who offset more over-the-top moments .", "with an a-list cast and incredible production values , MOV is a speeding train . hop on and hold on tight .", "a chase-thriller for the art-house crowd , MOV is brisk , satisfying and often surprising .", "although its camera moves are fluid and its art direction elegant , MOV does n't travel anyplace unusual . the point of all its battling is just to battle .", "little more than an action exercise , but an extraordinarily skillful one , a well-oiled machine that delivers an adrenaline rush of the first order .", "it 's an action movie with brainy aspirations , but director joe wright is too literal and broad for the arthouse crowd .", "the larger-than-life characters , the jarring colour schemes and , especially , the chemical brothers ' erratic , block-rocking score reflect the world as its protagonist experiences it : beautiful , violent , loud and frequently bizarre .", "folklore undercurrents that prove initially spry and intriguing are soon rendered ... leadenly obvious .", "it 's probably not enough for a movie to look and sound nice when it comes at the expense of character , story and basic logic , but it really does look and sound nice .", "like a lover who brags about his prowess in bed but can not deliver when the moment comes , the climax is overlong , tedious and deeply disappointing .", "funky , random and well shot , this action film about a girl -lrb- excellent saoirse ronan -rrb- trained to be an assassin gets a little overly-stylized and illogical for its own good .", "wright proves himself a skilled action director , handling the kinetic requirements of the admittedly fairly routine material with a deft hand , aided entirely by solid performances and a killer soundtrack from the chemical brothers .", "cate blanchett 's ruthless cia operative , a woman so driven she even makes flossing look scary .", "i loved it . for the entire film , i was captivated by the opposing forces of business versus pleasure in MOV 's life .", "a fast-paced action thriller where standard operating procedure does n't seem to apply .", "an intriguing enough remix of well-established assassin-on-the-run routine whose greatest asset is its young star .", "... a movie that does n't understand where its real power lies .", "a painstakingly composed , gorgeously expressive tone poem .", "for all the skill she has ... -lsb- MOV -rsb- is ultimately reduced ... to just a little girl who becomes lost in the figurative forest after leaving the literal one .", "is it a great movie ? no . nagging questions and plot holes start appearing the minute the endorphins and adrenaline wear off . but it is n't a bad one , either .", "the director 's clever use of extreme landscapes and surreal sets keep us immersed in a visually stimulating world somewhere between fantasy and reality .", "`` MOV '' is almost a terrific movie , or a partly terrific one , but all its giddy , improvised wonder resolves into nothing more than a ruthless , symmetrical story about a murderous monster .", "it 's only when ronan takes over that the film discovers a still , focused center .", "on a purely physical level , MOV grabs you by the throat and never lets go", "between the top-notch cast , cracking fight sequences , and pulse-pounding score courtesy of the chemical brothers , MOV is the perfect appetizer for the summer season .", "the film is an uneven affair , good enough that you wish it had fully succeeded .", "there 's some great fun in the film , and a bit of unexpected wit , and lots of action , much of it ludicrous but some quite engaging .", "in the end there might not be much to this tale other than titillation , but there 's plenty to be said for ms. ronan , who was the best thing about `` atonement '' and holds her ground against forceful screen presences like ms. blanchett and mr. bana .", "director joe wright takes one step further from his early period films with this stylish , head-tripping assassin thriller by way of snow white .", "MOV rocks .", "her gentle name is deceiving . ` MOV ' is a cold-blooded killer . saoirse ronan plays a teenager who is n't the kind of girl you want to upset in this action-packed thriller that 's sort of a juvenile version of ` run lola run . '", "MOV is an intriguing action-thriller that 's best described as a cross between run lola run and the bourne identity .", "while the performances are all strong , the real star here is joe wright 's inspired direction , which transforms this action thriller into a modern fairytale .", "a top notch thriller , laced with suspense , action and a wonderful sense of mystery", "the filmmakers struggle to satisfactorily connect the core driver of the story , a half hearted attempt at a sci fi element , into the plot , which leaves the film unable to articulate what it is that it wants to say", "the entire thing - the whole weight of the movie - rests on the remarkable abilities of saoirse ronan ... she 's an exceptional actor . she 's one of a kind .", "a kinetic action thriller of high quality , MOV is as visually strong as it is emotionally engrossing , thanks to strong central performances and a welcome change of pace from director joe wright .", "while you enjoy much of where MOV is taking you , the destination is both bewildering and frustrating and , in retrospect , the path taken is extremely brutal .", "wright is capable of much better , as is everyone in the cast . he 's trying to make a silky euro thriller with a frisson of controversy . it 's more like a never-ending trailer .", "the adrenalin rush is fun , but neglecting the character dynamics means that , when the lights go up , MOV will just be a fleeting memory .", "an extraordinarily visceral and subjective film , brilliantly straddling the divide between art-house and action cinema .", "marking a point of departure , wright 's new thriller is flawed but as the avenging angel , or wild child , saoirse ronan rises above the limitations and delivers another strong performance .", "while the plot has some minor flaws , the incredible performances , characters , soundtrack and action beats of MOV more than make up for it .", "the ingredients are there for success , but as we build toward resolution -lrb- or even increased conflict -rrb- MOV fails to develop at a rate to match the sum of its parts .", "it 's like an amusement park ride operating in the middle of a rave in which the chemical brothers provide a no-one-gets-out-alive thrust of unimpeded propulsion .", "jason bourne meets run lola run in a movie that brings terrifying new meaning to ` child abuse ' .", "meticulously composed mayhem without a larger purpose , too glum to provide any base genre satisfactions .", "not terrible , but not great", "for a film that is supposed to be a thriller , the thrills are few and far in between . what `` MOV '' really ends up being is a missed opportunity .", "having already long proven her acting chops , ronan shows a bright future as a bona fide movie star .", "`` a furious neck-snapping thriller that summons up memories of a dozen other movies and manages to improve on most of them . ''", "teenage assassin trained as a killing machine since birth ? unless your movie has nicolas cage dressed like batman with a paedo-tache , you 're fighting a losing battle from the start .", "this j.v. `` salt '' is effective only for a few minutes at a time , in some occasionally ripping action scenes set to a vivid chemical brothers score .", "-lsb- ronan -rsb- has a strange sort of expressiveness that keeps MOV from being a dull , blank slate .", "MOV starts out edgy and fresh , but runs out of steam and imagination , ending up , after many obligatory chases , in the same old place .", "wright knows enough to fix his camera straight ahead on ronan 's otherworldly face . despite having already been nominated for an oscar , ronan 's presence feels like a revelation .", "ronan 's pale blue eyes can seem vulnerable or inscrutable , wistful or deadly .", "ultimately , and just like its titular antiheroine , it becomes its own fantastic and feral beast , undomesticated and slathering bloody good fun all over the audience .", "`` MOV '' presents the problem of the well-made diversion that is , at its core , repellent .", "because they have nothing to gain from this , logic would dictate that they just stay put , but then the movie could n't turn into a live-action video game with a preteen piling up bodies like rambo .", "the film exists in a peculiar no-man 's land between hollywood and art .", "wright 's direction starts out realistically enough but gradually deteriorates into what feels like a messy parody of a european art film .", "there is not a single moment in the new film that is not striking or smartly put together or just plain considered . wright leaves nothing to chance . i do n't know that there 's a better way to smother a movie .", "the cast is strong enough to keep us engaged even when the plot skips over some glaring implausibilities", "succeeds in blending the strange , almost fairy-tale atmosphere with some expertly conceived action and unusual , well-sketched supporting characters ...", "ronan has developed into quite a force to be reckoned with , and proves such a strong and hypnotic lead that she almost outshines her older co-stars , bana and blanchett .", "like all wright movies , it 's stylishly shot in some interesting locations . it 's certainly not a bad film , i just wish it was tauter .", "a surreal thriller needs a thrillmaker with a gift for the surreal , not the pedestrian talent -lrb- here -rrb- of joe wright .", "MOV 's not always on target , but you should n't take your eyes off her .", "pacey , excitingly directed mini-bourne-style thriller with a strong script , superb action sequences , a great soundtrack and a terrific central performance from saoirse ronan .", "... the kind of deliberately stylish espionage yarn that ingmar bergman and orson welles might have agree upon , had they been predisposed to such foolishness .", "while the film as a whole may be episodic and wayward , and not always in a good way , the action scenes are uniformly sharp , inventive and gripping .", "wright makes sure his story looks great ... but it 's an empty experience , a frankenstein story with no heft , indeed with little apparent awareness of the classic tale it is evolved from . .", "the film is never more than an amalgamation of other movies .", "if the late director krzysztof kieslowski had made a mainstream film , it might have looked a lot like this one .", "the year 's coolest movie so far .", "a sure-footed action thriller .", "wright knows how to tell a story ; he just does n't seem to know how to tell this one .", "this fairy tale may be grimm , but it 's also quite gripping .", "while the sum of its parts do not add up , saoirse ronan shines brightly in this film .", "-lsb- a -rsb- contrived , overwrought splat of arty hackwork .", "MOV is a fairy tale of lightning speed , gritty action and shocking gravity , all driven by the electronic beat of a hypnotic score by the chemical brothers .", "what makes the scenario seem so unique and fresh is the way wright tells the tale .", "a well-done thriller with fairy tale sequences , a surprising secret , and a 16-year-old girl who soldiers into the world .", "odd , scatterbrained and sometimes a little too clever , but it 's also passionate and captivating , combining a coming-of-age tenderness with heart-stopping action in a way that feels utterly unique .", "MOV really is good enough to justify comparisons with similar breathless chase films like leon and the bourne series .", "MOV sits between two audiences - arthouse and multiplex - and will disappoint both .", "despite having unlimited potential , MOV does n't reach the heights of the best in class like inception , the fugitive and the bourne series .", "the body count is phenomenal and the overall effect polished , weightless and unmemorable .", "wright paces his action scenes well , and cinematographer alwin kuchler captures every scene as if he painted it himself . a mixed bag of genres , MOV delivers on them all .", "can this really be a joe wright film ? where are the corsets and crinoline ?", "wright has created an adrenaline-fuelled , modern-day fairytale that you will want to see again hanna-gain .", "there 's little doubt that wright has made a technically proficient and often imaginative film , attempting to be an action movie with a mind of its own , referencing fairy tales , reality and super-duper spectacle .", "after a strongish start , the film does n't so much sag as utterly collapse - each audience member will feel like someone who has flung himself into a hammock that is n't tied at either end .", "fun in places but unfulfilling as a whole .", "wright has got plenty of moves , but they seem applied rather than organic , noticeable in their own right rather than an inevitable part of the overall fabric ." ], "summary": "fantastic acting and crisply choreographed action sequences propel this unique , cool take on the revenge thriller .", "id": "771091481" }, { "movie": "this_is_england", "reviews": [ "shaun 's dark journey into an english heartland where ultra-right , national front thugs successfully tap into the growing alienation of working-class youth is a frighteningly accurate depiction of the seductive power of hate .", "MOV is a vile exercise in nihilism that goes nowhere fast .", "even if the story is misty in its didacticism : no matter how tough the times , just say no to racism and hatred .", "it 's only a half-great film , which is to say that its best moments are more perceptive and powerful than any other movie this summer .", "like all of shane meadows ' work to date , his latest captures the simple pleasures of hanging out with a big group of friends , laughing at nothing . and it shows how easily that camaraderie can shade into hooliganism .", "strong performances and powerful sense of time and place are almost enough to make a convincing argument for spending 98 minutes squirming with dread .", "it 's a thoroughly exhaustive , hand-wringing emotional stick of provincial dynamite that viciously grabs the audience by the collar and drags them through the gummy muck of lives gone horribly wrong .", "explosive", "the best british film of the year . you 'll be floored .", "it 's part western , part pornographic money shot .", "this is english cinema .", "masterfully charted and acted , as are the boy 's early forays into sex .", "an honest , emotional , funny and deeply moving portrait of growing up . do n't miss it .", "deeply impressive , as both a recreation of \u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- 80s working-class england and an intimate tale of one childhood\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- s brutal end .", "one of the best movies about this troubled time in uk history ... shows a noticeable improvement and growth in meadows as a filmmaker over his last few films .", "a riveting english film about a fatherless 12-year-old english kid who joins a band of skinheads and is initiated into a world that rocks his being .", "-lsb- meadows -rsb- captures the palpable anger of impoverished youth , without money or jobs or hope , seeking to blame somebody else for their troubles .", "-lsb- shane -rsb- meadows ' fictionalized version of these events is at least as vivid -- and at times as hard to watch -- as some of ken loach 's more stark dramas .", "a post-punk gem of a drama that seems bent on being both funny and deadly serious .", "this is not the england that makes you want to hop on over for a visit , but the movie is worthy of a quick look .", "a drama that 's so potent and persuasive yet also natural and intimate that it almost has the heft of a documentary .", "somewhere between the pop jouissance of guy ritchie and the social realism of ken loach , this ballsy drama freeze-frames bleak thatcherite yorkshire and exposes its racist underbelly .", "MOV is a movie like a punch to the solar plexus .", "it may be the best work to date from the talented 34-year-old writer-director of twenty four seven -lrb- 1997 -rrb- .", "meadows gets great , moving performances from his young cast .", "a successfully executed cautionary tale condemning war and racism in the context of growing up in cloudy northern england", "he -lsb- director shane meadows -rsb- he has a gift for getting under the skin of his working-class characters , who are invariably from the british midlands and are invariably struggling to hold onto honor and innocence in a violent , dangerous world .", "the writer-director brilliantly juxtaposes the personal and the political , bookending a stirring coming-of-age drama with the provocative opening and an equally affecting end sequence .", "there is scarcely a false note in writer-director shane meadows ' semi-autobiographical drama about a withdrawn , fatherless boy coming of age in thatcherite england .", "meadows ' electric drama takes the audience with it from the percolating opening moments through its hopeful -lrb- if ever-so-contrived -rrb- denouement , filling the landscape with memorably engaging characters and potent ensemble performances .", "it is the war within him -- and by extension , within the minds of many embittered , working class young men left behind in thatcher 's england -- that meadows 's film most strikingly portrays .", "steeped in the raw mix of ska and punk sound as expression of the youth alienation and misguided rage of those tumultuous times , an alarming voice of the surging army of jobless youth back then dubbed ` no hopers . '", "stephen graham delivers a bravura performance as the brooding , mesmerizing combo , clearly channeling russell crowe in romper stomper .", "riveting .", "meadows obviously knows the working class neighborhoods that he depicts . there 's a grit and honesty to his film as he chronicles the mundane details of these kids ' lives .", "how sad and predictable is the fate of those who counsel violence as a means to an end . and yet how poignant it all seems when viewed through shane meadows ' thoughtful lens .", "an intelligent , spare , mean-streets sort of story , MOV features superb performances ...", "you would n't think a film about a group of british skinheads during the early 1980s could be a sweet , nostalgic coming-of-age period piece , but that 's the surprise of the authentic , fresh and utterly relevant MOV .", "its tough but moving neo-realist approach make it one of the better british films of recent times .", "MOV grabs you by the scruff of the neck and yanks you into the thatcher 1980s with brute force .", "a predictable story with too many minutes spent with a gang just hanging out but featuring two extraordinary performances .", "-lsb- t -rsb- here 's nothing precisely wrong with MOV except its complete predictability .", "it 's one of the simplest and best re-creations of downscale urban england during the gritty post-punk years ever put on screen , and it 's both upsetting and very funny .", "-lsb- director -rsb- meadows does such a find job creating the tiny universe that it seem hermetically sealed from the rest of england .", "this is the best of british ... unmissable .", "a gripping bit of british drama .", "turgoose , in his first film role , is entirely convincing .", "the connections he makes between skinhead jingoism , thatcher 's aggressive governing style and an aimlessly spunky kid coming-of-age are trenchant .", "the lensing by daniel cohen captures the day-in , day-out dreariness of dead-end lives , and the musical soundtrack is infectious .", "an edgy , engaging and easily believable coming-of-age portrait whose intimacy and plausibility probably derive from the fact that it was in part based on the real-life experiences of its writer/director .", "a modest , near-flawless gem , MOV is a humbly , if insistently political , autobiographical homage to a lost world of youth .", "the director 's affectionate warts-and-all portrait of his milieu and subculture is blistering , cogently capturing how england 's early - '80s skinhead movement was driven less by blind racial intolerance than by intense socio-economic tensions .", "isolated excellence and larger lack of nerve-all dots , no connection-grows frustrating as england turns from the personal to the political , from character study to social studies .", "an affecting but uneven memoir of council-estate britain in the summer of 1983 .", "few directors tap their damaged past as brilliantly as meadows . MOV is by far his most personal and powerful testimony .", "as MOV 's coming-of-age story unfolds , and even as it careens towards an inevitably violent ending , meadows manages to see beyond the potentially clich\u00e9d trappings of depicting the tired , the poor , the huddled masses , and presents us with very", "meadows has a fighters ' way with his camera , but an increasingly mature way with story .", "humane and complex .", "until the final scene of meadows ' edgy , uneasy film , the suspense is killing .", "director shane meadows finally digs the terrific film out of his provincial home that his fans -lrb- myself included -rrb- always suspected he had it in him to make .", "a hard-fisted punch of reality based on the filmmaker 's experiences growing up in england 's midlands in 1983 .", "a movie about the allure of groupthink and how the warm comfort of being surrounded by peers wilts all sense of balance .", "every now and then a film gets it so right that you wonder why they ca n't do it all the time .", "the rare coming-of-age tale that offers real historical resonance rather than mere nostalgia .", "powerful and wrenching .", "meadows brings together the various elements perfectly , balancing sharp social commentary with realistic wit and humour .", "meadows ' recollections of his own youth ... lend a terrible immediacy to an unusually potent coming-of-age story .", "a sympathetic , deeply human view of figures whose usual cinematic function is to get thrashed by chuck norris .", "MOV may be set in 1983 but it 's as relevant today as it was then .", "there 's a gutter pride taken in how aggressively shaun confronts the world , but there 's also a blunt , no-nonsense analysis of where the kid goes wrong .", "with its knockout lead perfs and taut if slightly familiar construction , this '80s - set dramedy about a skinhead gang reps meadows ' most fluently made film so far .", "apart from its sharp screenplay , MOV derives its power from a pair of extraordinary performances .", "in short , this is , mostly , bloody brilliant .", "the breakthrough performance from turgoose , though , is the real draw here .", "cross-cutting between roland rat and maggie thatcher , rioting and the royal wedding , it\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- s a nifty scene-setter for a deft , heartfelt local story .", "the movie is taut , tense , relentless . it shows why shaun feels he needs to belong to a gang , what he gets out of it and how it goes wrong . without saying so , it also explains why skinheads are skinheads .", "starts out as well-acted and superbly designed mid-eighties time-capsule but degenerates to a formulaic conclusion that cheapens everything that went before .", "meadows would have made alan clarke proud with this must-see , partly autobiographical dramedy ... MOV depicts a sensitive , whip-smart , and richly detailed portrait of the subculture from its heartbreakingly humble roots .", "it does n't seem the slightest bit like real life , even though writer/director shane meadows reportedly based it on his own .", "superbly written and directed by shane meadows and featuring a terrific soundtrack , this is a compelling coming of age drama with a brilliant performance from young thomas turgoose .", "shane meadows has taken a traumatic moment of violence from his own childhood , together with the themes of victimisation , bullying and thuggery from dead man 's shoes , and set the action in 1983 , about the time of his own experience with skinheads", "with bad boy conviction and feisty demeanor , turgoose ably shows us sharply responsive nerves bared to the erratic side of reactive behavior .", "do n't expect a history lesson : shaun 's story is more than enough to grab and hold your attention ." ], "summary": "a moving coming-of-age tale that captures the despair among england 's working-class youth in the 1980s .", "id": "566051908" }, { "movie": "blades_of_glory", "reviews": [ "blades does n't hit the non sequitur heights of anchorman or talladega nights , but the cast is great and several gags hit hard .", "silly as a drag queen convention and subtle as an un-flushed toilet , MOV is everything you 'd hope for in a will ferrell comedy .", "with MOV , will ferrell and jon heder stake an early claim to being the comedy couple of the year .", "ferrell and heder have yet to prove themselves as great actors , but they are great clowns , working the material for all it 's worth .", "equal parts inspiration , perspiration and hairspray , MOV is silly and enjoyable but not as consistently funny as talladega nights : the ballad of ricky bobby , ferrell 's last sports spoof .", "on ice , the movie is often fairly funny . off it , the garish outfits , the genitalia jokes , the beer-slob gags about gays , the women as cheap laughs , even the cute guest cameos start to shiver and melt .", "MOV is a feeble satire that does n't do much that 's incisive or interesting , and the tame pg-13 rating keeps the raunchiness in check .", "-lsb- will ferrell 's -rsb- new film is easily on a par with -lsb- his -rsb- earlier efforts .", "dumb with a capital d , MOV takes its -lrb- almost -rrb- fleshed-out sketch-comedy idea as far as an ice-skating buddy movie with we 're - not-gay jokes and a psycho stalker can go .", "if there was an olympics for purely fun movies , this would skate away with one of those pretty medals .", "it asks the rhetorical question , ` so what 's wrong with the idea of a guy-guy pairs team ? ' on the other hand , jimmy 's butt-strutting in that peacock suit , his mincing walk , play right into the stereotypes that boneheads everywhere love to laugh at .", "MOV is directed by the two guys who make the geico caveman commercials . they have n't made a first-rate ferrell comedy , but they do understand the kind of absurdism and physical comedy prized by his fans .", "a painless if unremarkable night out , lifted considerably by the over-the-top skating sequences .", "a no harm-no foul feelgood flick where everybody gets an 11th hour dispensation since jimmy was really straight all along .", "MOV does n't get the gold , in fact , i think they just miss out on the bronze .", "this really should n't have taken five writers and two directors , especially considering the splendor costume designer julie weiss achieves all by herself . but it 's not bad for such a thoroughly unitarded concept .", "no guts and no glory , and not much in the way of comedy , either .", "thin , monotonous", "sketch comedy stretched to its maximum length , and while it 's good fun , like that big dumb goof in every high school class , it comes oh-so-close to wearing out its welcome .", "... humorous fluff at best but formulaic and predictable .", "i ca n't imagine what circumstances would lead me to watch the film , in its entirety , a second time . but i 'm glad i saw it once .", "great fun !", "it is n't terrible , just terribly lazy . how many comedians would play two different sex-addicted lunkheads named chazz in two different movies ? some funny bits here and there , but will ferrell 's sports shtick is badly glazed over .", "the script 's failure leaves a heavy burden on the cast , and how well they compensate is both a testament to their talent and a waste of it .", "completely and shamelessly silly , the movie elicits more than enough big laughs to make even the most cynical and parsimonious moviegoer feel like he got his money 's worth of entertainment .", "heder , with his snappy reactions and his bride-of-elton-john skating ensembles , is funny beyond the call of a second banana . and ferrell , with his little piggy eyes and his bursts of unfounded braggadocio , is frequently hilarious . we 've seen him do this s", "blades is not quite talladega nights on ice , but it 's a lot of fun .", "critics may accuse ferrell of making a career out of insider sports comedies , with blades hot on the heels of talladega nights , but it 's still a funny , well-rounded package that lets the talents of other cast shine , too .", "eventually the film 's limitations catch up with it , and you start feeling like you 've seen all this before , maybe just not told exactly the same way .", "-lsb- the directors -rsb- have n't quite managed to make MOV feel that different from most commercial hollywood comedies -- even with all that help from the sport itself .", "the sheer dreamy silliness of will ferrell 's new comedy , MOV , carries it for a remarkably long time . even after the movie starts recycling ideas and turns formulaic with an overextended chase sequence , it 's impossible to dislike .", "two actors with unique personas , ferrell and heder make a good combo , delivering winningly funny wordplay and skate moves .", "you know those one-joke saturday night live sketches that start to age after six minutes ? MOV is one joke that lasts 93 minutes , costs $ 11 and could involve sitting next to a guy who retells the movie into his cellphone .", "the directors , will speck and josh gordon , nail the subtext and straight-faced deportment of ferrell 's best movies .", "... the latest in a seemingly endless line of unremarkable comedies featuring will ferrell ...", "ferrell 's best laugh-out-loud vehicle since anchorman .", "the comedy might stumble as nearly as much as it glides , but there is more than enough sheer , side-splitting absurdity to justify your attention and admission .", "although will ferrell does supply most of the film 's intermittent laughs , the ridiculous concept and poor execution put `` blades '' at the bottom of ferrell 's otherwise winning resume .", "having to watch so many wonderful comedic actors suffer through it makes it all the more depressing .", "it 's ricky bobby and napoleon dynamite on ice ... the film for all the people who loved that snickers super bowl ad and were upset when it was pulled .", "yes , will ferrell is once again playing a macho jerk in dire need to learn some life lessons -- in spandex and ice skates , no less . but honestly , can anyone else do it better ?", "all this talent gives MOV high technical marks , but it 's the presentation that 's less than olympic .", "whatever negative things there are to say about MOV , it 's still funny .", "a gold medal winner with huge laughs . check your brain at the door for this one and you wo n't be disappointed .", "stupid is as stupid does , and ` MOV ' does stupid right .", "`` MOV '' sets the stage for outrageous cheesiness from its opening shot when a beautiful four-year-old orphan dressed in a cheap hand-knit body suit skates implausibly well to the tune of andrea bocelli 's `` con te partiro . ''", "as with the recent hit middle-aged road comedy wild hogs , MOV tries to work maximum comic mileage from heterosexual men 's fear of proximity to other men 's penises .", "MOV is too broad to be satire and not mean enough by half -- in any case , competitive figure skating already does a pretty good job spoofing itself .", "definitely pushes the envelope of crotch jokes and slapstick humor , but there are enough completely original bits that work to recommend it .", "ferrell scores again in MOV , a comedy that would not seem to need making .", "if MOV is n't quite a triple-lutz , nailed-it triumph of a movie , it 's still loads of laughs and guaranteed to please audiences everywhere .", "an elongated comedy sketch , without any depth or development .", "we 'll keep tolerating ferrell as long as he throws in a ` stranger than fiction ' or ` elf ' every now and again .", "l'enjouement et la constance avec lesquelles cette connerie nous ait d\u00e9blat\u00e9r\u00e9e la rendent d\u00e9sopilante pour les bonnes raisons", "it 's silly and fun with real figure skating personalities involved ... they add a bonus dimension to the jokes -lrb- like throwing in a double toe-loop after landing a triple axle -rrb- .", "this wacky comedy simply glides over the ice , never falling in the cracks or tumbling off course . heder plays the angelic-faced blonde-mopped former child prot\u00e9g\u00e9e ... and ferrell is the sex addicted tsunami of swagger , thrown unwillingly together .", "na tankom ledu", "the result proves sadly under-choreographed . and choreography is everything in a film that leans as heavily on slapstick as this one .", "MOV is funny , and that 's all that matters .", "slight , but amusing vulgar comedy .", "ferrell does n't need a great script or direction to be funny . the man just is funny .", "when faced with will arnett and jon heder , you can sense ferrell is overcompensating on purpose .", "more concerned with forcing random humor within its setup than finding the real humor that 's there .", "a true ice queen sandwich !", "in this lighthearted homage to the homoeroticism of figureskating will ferrell has delivered an unusually funny flick .", "it certainly has n't taken long for ferrell to settle comfortably into the comedic trap of repeating his most popular persona .", "ferrell makes up for everything with his flawless delivery , both subtle and outrageous .", "one day some enterprising company will probably package ferrell 's sillier comedies together for a boxed dvd set . it has its moments , but MOV probably wo n't be the first one of the bunch you watch .", "blades does capture the obvious eccentricities of the skating world , and is funny up to a point , but by now ferrell & co. have the formula for a mild comedy down pat . what they need is a little soul .", "one of the most keenly perceptive comedies ever made about straight male bonding , fear of intimacy , and masculinity . not to mention figure skating .", "... pales next to its predecessors . while there are some laughs here -- the best of which sound like ferrell improvisations -- there are nowhere near enough to sustain a feature .", "this exhibition of infantilism is all very silly , of course , but worse it 's not terribly funny .", "the script is sharp and fast , and almost keeps up with the hilarious cast .", "it sounds formulaic , but it 's formula done right .", "as silly as would be expected , but , as usual , from this comedy machine , some good laughs along the way .", "the textbook definition of a passable matinee comedy , MOV will please will ferrell 's fans and irritate those who think figure skating is an activity worthy of reverence .", "it 's hard to dislike a movie that has the funniest decapitation gag in years .", "the directors make bold choices that keep the audience guessing . for instance , there 's no groin-punch joke until 40 minutes in . for a will ferrell movie , that 's a record .", "the film is modestly entertaining , but it would have been much funnier if ferrell had had a more qualified partner to work with .", "roughly twice as good as a movie with such a thin comedic premise deserves to be .", "i found myself not even giggling .", "there may be an overabundance of pain jokes , crotch jokes and painful crotch jokes , but at the end of the program , this farce is the triple axel of comedy .", "you may need diapers -lrb- if you do n't normally wear them -rrb- to view this . . let the world rest a while and enjoy the silliness .", "the comedy is disposable because ferrell and heder do n't bother being recognizably human .", "exceeded my very low expectations ... despite the dry spells between genuine laughs , the movie feels over and done with , but does n't really leave you wanting more . it 's just right , and just a little flat .", "some of the laughs are inspired and big , and while you wish the movie was as cruel as you know the figure skating world really is , at least it is n't afraid of being silly .", "`` MOV '' will have will ferrell fans dizzy with laughter.silly , uneven , but hilarious when it 's funny , the show might remind his fans of `` talladega nights : the ballad of ricky bobby . ''", "the week 's pleasant surprise was finding myself chuckling and occasionally laughing out loud at MOV .", "solid formula that is guaranteed to tickle most everyone 's funny bone several times", "cavorting on the ice in their elaborate figure skating costumes , will ferrell and jon heder made me laugh so much my stomach ached .", "a spirited addition to this line of movies , but , alas , the formula is starting to wear around the edges .", "MOV has funny moves even when its characters can barely move , but the film seldom gets past its one basic laugh : that a real man figure-skating is a contradiction in terms .", "the film will be a hit , but i 'm still disappointed that the film skates by on the bare minimum of effort .", "it 's the new will ferrell movie . need we say more ?", "formula rules , as ferrell applies his schtick to another sport . but there 's enough silly spectacle and eye-popping costumes to compensate .", "i ca n't remember a time when i have laughed so long and hard at a decapitation gag .", "hilarious comedy with superb comic performances from heder and ferrell and some impressive digital trickery during the ice skating scenes .", "for a similar film that offers more laughs by taking it to the limit , rent the farrelly brothers ' 1996 bowling gem kingpin .", "there is a steady stream of laughs and narrative interest . blades is n't quite as funny as zoolander or dodgeball , but it deserves a solid score from the judges .", "ferrell still rocks even when he 's coasting", "will ferrell is funny . just looking at him makes you chuckle . jon heder is funny looking . together , they make an amusing duo . and MOV is a funny film .", "after ferrell 's manchild partners with a fey figure-skating rival -lrb- heder -rrb- , it 's strictly uninspired buddy-comedy bickering .", "-lsb- there 's -rsb- enough funny material for a great little saturday night live sketch . the trouble is , there 's an extra 80 minutes or so of down time in which ferrell , heder and their co-stars are pretty much repeating their characters ' shallow schtick .", "while i still think will ferrell is a hilarious guy , these blades are disappointingly dull .", "personable enough , though genuine belly laughs are in short supply .", "why is it whenever a male comic actor is desperate for a laugh , he invariably begins licking his fingertips and stroking his nipples ? this is a new hack staple -- the physical equivalent of complaining about airplane food .", "if you liked anchorman or talladega nights , you 'll get the same thing here with ferrell 's locker-room brand of humor .", "ferrell is playing ricky bobby on ice with a lot of the same obvious and predictable gags , but it succeeds best when it takes advantage of its talented cast and lets them do their thing .", "all of the requisite parts are there - silly outfits , crazy hair , outrageous dialogue , and jenna fischer from the office stealing my heart with every wholesome , sweeter-than-a-cadbury-egg smile .", "`` MOV '' is not a great comedy but one with enough laughs , skating action and attitude to amuse its audience ...", "MOV has the sport 's absurd elements down cold and skates by on ferrell 's comic bluster . even the french judge would agree .", "you know something 's amiss in ` MOV ' when ringside commentators scott hamilton and jim lampley have the best lines .", "together , though , -lsb- ferrell and heder -rsb- strike enough sparks to earn a 5.8 for artistic interpretation and a 6.0 for effort .", "it has taken the world 's best james lipton imitator almost a decade to hit number one at the box office . credit movie screen experience and perfectly matched material .", "if they gave oscars for best performance by a comedic actor playing an endearingly clueless oaf in a sports comedy ... will ferrell would be up for the lifetime achievement award by now .", "a star-studded broad comedy designed to make you forget your cares and have 93 minutes of good goofy fun . on that level , it succeeds as beautifully as a well-executed triple axle .", "the plot is extremely thin but a spoof of ice skating was inevitable , and i 'm glad ferrell is the one to do it .", "some scenes are funny , some not . that balance ought rate a flat out b , but there were a handful of scenes that were so funny that they tied me in knots , so ... b", "that 's craig t. nelson . ` hey craig , where have you been ? i was beginning to think your career was built on an ancient indian burial ground ! '", "herky-jerky from beginning to end ... an increasingly tiresome string of sight gags about men groping other men , punching each other in the crotch and practicing silly routines .", "it may not take ferrell in any new directions , but it proves that in the right context , looking like kurt russell 's puffy brother in flaming spandex , on ice , can give a guy an edge .", "the plot is n't much , but that 's ok : the directing team of will speck and josh gordon throw their jokes at the wall in rapid succession , and most of them stick .", "an acerbic , satirical and richly comic escapade -- or should that be ice capade ?", "a lot of blades feels as outdated as the old scoring method it uses but that real figure skating has banished .", "to see seemingly regular guys utterly stripped of dignity and defense is cruel enough , but crueler still is the laughter that you can not seem to stop from rupturing your lungs and aorta .", "MOV does n't reinvent the wheel -- in fact , its knowledge of the wheel probably does n't extend beyond ` of cheese ' and ` of fortune . '", "-lsb- f -rsb- unny ... only if you think there is something amusing about men who are anything other than the hummer-driving , date-raping , ` hot-blooded ' caricature of a manly man .", "ferrell is the rare screen comedian who does n't mind sharing the wealth , and the laughs , with his co-stars , and here he has surrounded himself with some funny people .", "this is essentially a one-joke film , but between -lsb- ferrell and heder -rsb- , they keep that joke buoyant by finding every possible variation on the relationship between chazz and jimmy played out at the level of petulant six-year-olds .", "MOV , although mildly amusing , has the dank odor of having gone to the well once too often .", "it 's one of ferrell 's lightest , least edgy movies , and you 'd need a microscope to find things at which to take serious offense .", "it does feature a few guilty laughs throughout -- and a couple of really big laughs toward the end .", "the movie is at its funniest and most original when zinging the sometimes pretentious milieu of competitive figure skating .", "blades is most gloriously goofy in those moments when ferrell follows his own advice and leaps above the compulsory comedy .", "it may seem like faint praise to deem MOV par for the course , but when the par is that funny , it 's no mean feat .", "it 's the sort of movie you have to see twice because you were laughing so hard , you missed half the jokes the first time around .", "will ferrell seems to be working his way through every sport ever covered on espn . with figure skating , he has found a target-rich environment for comedy .", "exhausted and riddled with bad timing .", "MOV is not quite anchorman or talladega nights but a good enough entry to round out ferrell 's humbled arrogance trilogy .", "as long as it 's near the ice , MOV sticks a lot of its landings .", "ferrell 's testosterony shtick fails to tweak any notions of athletic masculinity because it 's only used as a conventionally humorous juxtaposition for ice-skating 's mocked femininity .", "instead of just trying to be gross , as so many comedies resort to , MOV actually knows comedy and when a situation has been stretched for all it 's worth . fortunately there is a scene of equal or greater comedy on deck .", "it may be ice , but will ferrell is on fire . that 's right , i said it .", "... it 's funnier than wild hogs , which is about as ringing an endorsement as i 'm capable of these days .", "light and silly , and maybe not on a level with ferrell 's funniest work , but still entertaining .", "the ferrell formula has by now got most of its kinks worked the film takes aim at a particular career choice , the protagonist exposes his body and utterly unrockable worldview , and the costar -lrb- s -rrb- surrender to ferrellworld , wherein conventional masculinity", "the filmmakers wisely surrounded themselves with people who know how to wring solid belly laughs out of a paper-thin premise .", "you need a perfectly timed double take to work with will ferrell , and jon heder thankfully possesses a formidable one .", "this silly , satirical comedy glides in , skating on thin ice .", "there are some clever and raunchy sight gags , but after a fast start MOV loses its edge .", "MOV does n't pack quite the wallop of talladega nights : the ballad of ricky bobby , but it offers enough rewards to keep ferrell fans happy .", "MOV does what a good ferrell vehicle is supposed to do -- it strings enough good bits together to keep the tissue-paper story from tearing , and it comes in at 90 minutes . and that 's as close to sticking the landing as it 's going to get .", "ferrell is n't breaking new ground , but one day -- when he 's branching out to play psycho killers and getting in touch with his inner thespian -- we 'll look back on his clowning period and wonder why he would want to do anything else .", "the comedy plunges so deep into lame -lrb- lam\u00e9 ? -rrb- it comes out on the side of fangless fun .", "both fun and edgy . it 's crowd friendly comedy that still knows how to push against the borders .", "how do you put fire & ice together and get gold ? it takes a lot of work and in the midst of all the great one liners you have a solid comedy .", "i 'd try to avoid the usual cliche of saying this is a fine 10-minute saturday night live sketch that 's padded with another 80 minutes of filler , but if this unclever and mostly unfunny film does n't bother to put in any effort , why should i ?", "if your only goal for going to the movies this weekend is to indulge in mindless laughter , then you ca n't go wrong here .", "like most will ferrell movies , it has enough riotous moments to carry you through the dull stretches .", "it 's ferrell who does most of the heavy lifting ... -lsb- and -rsb- kudos to costume designer weiss whose clothes get laughs both on and off the ice .", "the movie really should be much funnier than it actually is .", "-lsb- a -rsb- sporadically funny but never really inspired sports comedy .", "this is a one-joke movie : a chubby klutz doing a lutz . but ferrell does klutzy so well that it 's just as funny during the last reel as in the first one .", "farrell and heder are pretty funny , but they 're consistently upstaged by supporting players william fichtner , will arnett , and amy poehler .", "even the surprises are n't particularly surprising here . but the comic performers all deliver .", "blades takes a hard fall long before it can even nab a medal for fluff .", "MOV does have its moments of loopy ingenuity , even if none of them goes quite far enough .", "they do n't quite nail it .", "it 's worth the admission price just to watch ferrell and heder , both more than 6 feet tall , take turns lifting each other and to see heder 's ankles wrapped around his co-star 's neck .", "even with a few extra pounds , he 's comic grace on ice .", "a silly spoof that 's often unexpectedly sweet .", "MOV is only slightly less funny -- if you ask ignorant old me -- than watching real figure skating . it 's your coin .", "blades is an acceptable friday evening diversion , most of which will have run through your system by saturday morning .", "blissfully silly , triumphantly tasteless and improbably hilarious .", "some of the best lines are featured in the tv commercials , making you wish the premise had lived up to its promise .", "predictably goofy-minded and off-centered , blades is a desired guilty pleasure for ferrell fans that want to park their funnybones at the nearest skating rink .", "the blissfully silly MOV is one of those rare comedies that puts a goofy smile on your face with the premise alone , and keeps it planted there right until its wacky finale ." ], "summary": "thanks to the spirited performances of a talented cast - particularly will ferrell and jon heder as rivals-turned-teammates -- MOV successfully spoofs inspirational sports dramas with inspired abandon .", "id": "512880935" }, { "movie": "coach_carter", "reviews": [ "a new millennium hybrid of dangerous minds and hoosiers .", "an inspirational film about a high school coach who has the gall to suggest that athletes must make their mark in the classroom as well as on the basketball court .", "for all MOV 's moralizing , it is an eminently palatable drama , and samuel l. jackson -- who has certainly been known to take nobility to the nth degree -- is first-rate as carter .", "with his steely , do n't - mess-with-me aura , jackson is ideally cast as carter . when he blows his whistle and demands that everyone do wind sprints , you might think he means you , too .", "the movie 's moral messages are all on target . too bad the movie is much , much too long and jackson gives one of his dullest performances ever .", "samuel l. jackson plays the real-life coach of a high school basketball team in this solid , unsurprising sports drama .", "MOV will be greeted with reviews that overflow with sports metaphors . let 's just say that the movie scores solidly .", "the movie 's ` message ' -- life is more than just sports -- is delivered with the delicacy of a piano dropped from a fifth-story window .", "if you 've spent a week with cbs ' prime-time lineup , you 've heard this tune a million times .", "the film nicely balances the stories , allowing some of the teammates to emerge as believably streetwise characters .", "samuel l. jackson , who has pretty much been swaggering through recent roles , straightens up and brings a steely , dignified strength to the title role .", "utterly intolerable with its indulgence in inner-city stereotypes , overt preaching and simple antidotes .", "the basketball footage is often thrilling , the camera whooshing through the action like a darting point guard .", "the appeal lies in the genre 's mixed marriage of liberal sensibilities to conservative values , a happy american union that simultaneously acknowledges the fact of social injustice while insisting on the need for individual responsibility .", "one of those highly effective conventional pictures that remind us that conventionality is n't always a bad thing .", "inimitable , irrepressible and possibly the coolest man alive , jackson ranks as the best reason to catch this hoosiers in the ` hood . happily , he 's not the only one .", "jackson 's presence alone raises MOV above the formula it clings to .", "an inspirational story that is radically diminished by the calm acceptance of out of wedlock pregnancy of black high school students and the shameless promotion of abortion .", "not even jackson 's thundering dynamism lifts the drama from mediocrity .", "... while jackson has his moments on the hardwood pulpit , his even-tempered approach makes these couple of fiery moments that much more effective .", "inspirational , entertaining and gripping .", "the man himself and what he accomplishes take a back seat to unnecessary subplots that drag down the movie .", "the main problem with MOV can be summed up simply : too much sermonizing .", "in the film , MOV orders his students to maintain a 2.3 grade point average . if he were to review his own movie , we imagine he 'd propose a similar kind of deal .", "the surprises come in filmmaker thomas carter 's refusal to wholly give in to clich\u00e9s .", "MOV is like the coach 's players themselves : there 's more to the film than first meets the eye ...", "a mealy conglomeration of high-school-sports movies , teacher-who-motivates-students movies , and inner-city-kids-have-a-tough-life movies .", "in the title role , jackson holds himself like an exclamation point .", "nothing but the coach 's gutsy move and the fact that it really happened distinguishes this movie from a litany of past basketball dramas .", "it qualifies its thrill of victory with a very sober message : few high school athletes become nba millionaires , many are cheated out of an education .", "the movie 's not all didactic . it 's also fun , thanks to exuberant actors antwon tanner , channing tatum , rob brown , rick gonzalez , robert ri ` chard and other richmond oilers .", "must decency be dull ?", "features bursts of humor and electrifying energy offset by speechifying and a dud of a subplot .", "delivers its commendable message with affecting eloquence .", "no one will be surprised to learn that jackson 's MOV is a shining slab of steel-rod charisma .", "an earnest inspirational drama that mostly transcends its formulaic trappings .", "capable new performers surround jackson , including young men who play a believable brand of high-flying basketball .", "nobody gives a more powerful locker room speech than samuel l. jackson , while decked out in spiffy suits and flashy neckties .", "like an afterschool special on steroids .", "the movie relies on formula , but it 's durable formula .", "jackson plays the coach with wit and authority . his imposing presence ensures that he wo n't have to take much guff , even from the toughest punk on the team .", "high school basketball is more than a game in this satisfying flick topped by samuel l. jackson 's easy-to-watch lead performance .", "a cinematic slam-dunk .", "in this film , basketball is not a metaphor ; it 's a hard-played game that requires skill , conditioning , intelligence and effective teamwork .", "while there 's no denying its positive message , there 's also no denying that it offers absolutely nothing fresh or innovative .", "the film comes to what seems like a logical stopping point -- and then continues for another 30 minutes to a conclusion that only muddles its messages . in the end , what could have been a decent little sports drama is bloated and overlong .", "no arguing with the message : the movie 's eager to tell its audience -lrb- especially young viewers -rrb- that there 's life beyond a basketball court , and they ought to prepare for it .", "great performance by samuel jackson but predictable as a slam dunk .", "clearly there was a publicity hound somewhere inside the coach when he made his lockout a tv spectacle , but the movie avoids any such interesting shadows .", "fairly standard sports-movie fare but well-acted , suitably gritty , lightly comic in the right places and sweet without being saccharine .", "how do you put this message across without it seeming medicinal ? sure , mtv is among the movie 's producers , but what 11th grader wants to spend a friday night being hit with such a blunt instrument ?", "god love MOV and what he 's done to improve real kids ' educations . but movies should n't feel like school , even when their subject is learning .", "it 's not only a sports movie with the usual big games and important shots , but also a coach movie , with inspiring locker room speeches and difficult moral decisions .", "it 's an old story , but MOV makes it urgent , insightful and inspirational .", "if not for the commanding presence of samuel l. jackson in the title role , this paint-by-numbers sports movie would n't have anything going for it .", "the movie may consist of formulaic elements , but it excels on the strength of its cast and the sincerity of its message .", "you know how the last minute of a basketball game can take , like , 10 minutes to actually expire , what with time-outs and the commercials and all ? MOV is a lot like that .", "by the time you leave , jackson will have you believing that his MOV is a true original .", "the inspirational tale becomes just another by-the-numbers , clich\u00e9-ridden sports film .", "if only shaq and kobe had coach ken carter -lrb- samuel l. jackson -rrb- at the helm , the two fellas would be holding hands , frolicking in fields of daisies and racking up a few more nba titles .", "the kind of boot-strap-pulling , tear-duct-tickling , i-am-spartacus-crowing movie-on-a-mission that might rankle more cynical movie goers but sets hearts aflutter for most everyone else .", "the clear irony of this genre is that it seeks to tell the story of a rebel in as conventional a way as possible .", "the young cast is more sure of themselves shooting hoops than showing emotion , but jackson holds the screen so well that he gives them extra focus and presence .", "with the possible exception of tommy lee jones , no one is better suited to dish out stone-faced , my-way-or-the-highway discipline than jackson .", "if you can claw your way through some ugly material and shoddy direction , there are some good messages here that can be warmly received .", "thomas carter ... produces a film that sizzles on the court , but loses heat in the sub-plots and backstory .", "the movie would have been even stronger if it had thrown out some of its extraneous characters and complications ... and narrowed its focus . still , its message comes through .", "predictable , schmaltzy , and old as the hills , but so well-made that it is a sort of triumph .", "the combination of believable ball play , solid performances and hard-nosed inspiration make for worthwhile entertainment during this post-holiday season .", "there is a lot of excitement and tension as the team progresses in the season . the only problem is the need to show every game - it suffers from overkill .", "filled with cliches , a run-of-the-mill screenplay and the groan-inducing mtv films formula .", "on paper a routine sports yarn . on screen , thanks to jackson refusing to phone it in , far more satisfying than you might expect .", "its main flaws are an overabundance of sports-movie clich\u00e9s and hackneyed phrases , but at least the final game does n't have a predictable ending ; i 'll give it that much .", "samuel l. jackson shouts , yells , bellows , and screams his way through the fact-inspired film", "far from groundbreaking -- in fact , it does n't have an original bone in its body -- but as inspirational sports movies go , it 's not half-bad .", "slam dunk !", "formulaico , \u00e9 verdade , mas inteligente o bastante para utilizar os clich\u0119s a seu favor , sem se esquecer de incluir bons di\u00e1logos e uma mensagem relevante .", "cinematographer sharon meir and film editor peter berger brilliantly capture the magic , thrills and extraordinary talent of the fear-inspired players , putting their hearts and souls into the game .", "although this is an inspirational genre pic that pushes all the requisite buttons throughout , you can\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- t help but feel that rather than benching the team , director thomas carter should have benched a few of those ham-fisted sporting clich\u0103 -lrb- c -rrb- s instead .", "without sam l. jackson on hand , i suspect MOV would be almost too generic to even deal with .", "saved by bursts of energy and inventiveness .", "portrays high school basketball as a means to an end , not an end in itself .", "there 's no small pleasure in seeing a well-worn tale told with class and style .", "put this movie on your must see list and enjoy a truly uplifting sports story .", "the cast does its job , but the overly familiar screenplay is a problem .", "carter 's story is inspirational ... but MOV gives only the earnest hollywood version , when a bit more restraint and less embellishment would have worked just fine .", "over long and deeply manipulative , MOV should nonetheless be praised for its far-from-fashionable celebration of personal advancement through academic achievement .", "thumbing its way through that well-worn inspirational-educator playbook at a leisurely pace , the picture is studiously unspectacular .", "-lsb- jackson -rsb- is , of course , born to shout things at teenagers on basketball courts and he delivers all the time-honoured usual speeches with his customary brilliance", "carter gives every sports-drama cliche a chance to play . no bad idea is benched .", "inspirational , laden with tough love , and on occasion a tad hokey . stand and deliver on the basketball court .", "very good film with the kind of message people need to hear more often , especially teens and spoiled athletes -lrb- maybe randy moss and shaun alexander could see the movie -rrb- .", "'' ... one of the best films of its genre . ''", "as the film grinds on , without any actual actors to work against , jackson starts to look marooned and eventually seems to give up trying .", "is there anything in movies less convincing than a high-school ne'er - do-wells get-down-and-study montage ?", "both an inspirational sports movie and an unexpected multi-level urban drama that plays by its own clock .", "an entertaining mix of stand and deliver and remember the titans with a charismatic performance by samuel l. jackson .", "a cross between stand and deliver and hoosiers , ... it 's no all-star , but not a bench-warmer either .", "it 's ultimately jackson , with a winning combination of no-nonsense authority and quirky charisma , not to mention a love of flashy neckties , who breathes life into the film bearing his character 's real name .", "there 's a kick butt performance from samuel jackson , the master of the take-no-prisoners motormouth school of acting , even if it is only a high school gym .", "this is supposed to be about setting high standards , yet it 's full of fudged ultimatums ; in the end i could n't be sure whether its morality was complex or just confused .", "a worthy addition to familiar triumph-of-the-underdog stories .", "... the movie is more concerned with the characters than with the sport . so it 's a movie for anyone to enjoy .", "by making the choices the filmmakers did here , we get a movie that may not be profound , but it 's both highly entertaining for its sports and fascinating for its social issues .", "how terribly ironic that the story of an educator who dared to challenge the mental capacity of his students can produce a film that so shamelessly spoon-feeds its audience .", "while the film is over the top at times , MOV has a big heart that does n't shy away from challenging the american education system .", "samuel jackson returns to form behind a long string of disappointing performances as an ethically minded basketball coach at a tough inner city high school in richmond , california .", "engaging film with a terrific message .", "with another in a long line of strong performances by jackson , and some excellent basketball choreography , MOV is fun , hopeful , occasionally silly and , what can i say , inspiring .", "a sports flick that 's a worthy addition to the genre .", "... familiar in its feel-good delivery ... a solid student-athlete melodrama that creeps up on you more convincingly than a three-point shot at the buzzer", "too vicious to speak to bleeding-heart liberals , too pro-academia to speak to no child left behind advocates , and too preachy to speak to youths .", "... manages the difficult task of balancing an intriguing story without being too sappy or preachy .", "either real life is becoming more like a movie , or sports movies inspired by a true story exist in their own form of reality .", "whenever the film leaves the court , it stumbles", "for those in need of an uplifting story in our dumbed-down times , MOV is a slam dunk .", "-lsb- carter 's -rsb- selfless actions against a failed education system register even when the movie surrounding him turns on itself .", "the fake disney-like sentimentality melts away into a movie of refreshing idealism , and occasional doses of sobering honesty .", "as he 's seen as the voice of righteousness , the film does n't permit carter a personal storyline , much less growth .", "aside from maybe `` friday night lights , '' i ca n't think of another recent sports movie that dared to suggest athletic achievement is n't a worthy goal in and of itself .", "a rather exceptionally counter-cultural `` teen movie '' ... raises authentic youth concerns and answers them with convincing integrity .", "thank goodness then for go-to guy jackson . he takes what could have been a cardboard cliche role and puts flesh on it with his flamboyant intelligence .", "treats its subject in such a neutered , worshipful fashion that it ultimately does the actual accomplishment a disservice .", "jackson 's ... fire-and-brimstone delivery adds a much-needed edge to the inspirational cliches .", "when critics join in accepting this junk , is it any wonder few directors bother with fresh visions ?", "even samuel l. jackson 's performance ca n't save this glorified press release from its `` been there , done that '' fate .", "each of the side stories is played out in excruciating detail and seems to exist in entirely different movies , all of which will be tied up into bows by the end .", "director thomas carter , working from a script by mark schwahn and john gatins , manages to elevate the clich\u00e9s into a surprisingly engaging , enjoyable two hours .", "utilizes an alternating formula of motivational speeches and current hip-hop tracks meant to sell MOV soundtracks .", "takes the ` everything-but-the-kitchen-sink ' approach . leaves no sports cliche unturned and no chance for inspirational feel-good moments unvisited .", "a solid genre story , and jackson makes all that much better by his mere presence .", "before you can say , `` gangsta 's paradise , '' coach has motivated his team to focus on what 's important -- winning .", "samuel l. jackson 's intense , dynamic presence lifts this film above the usual sports movie and makes it one to remember .", "entertaining ... but you do wish they 'd tell the tale without funnelling it through hollywood 's inspirational movie assembly line .", "writers mark schwahn and john gatins have a teen-movie pedigree , and they 've kludged the film 's true-life material into a conventional three-act shape instead of reimagining it as cinematic .", "the only unpredictable thing , really , about MOV is how engaging it turns out to be .", "like every other inspiring teacher/coach movie , only less so .", "its ` hoosiers ' in the hood", "he 's the good coach ; he knows these young men will lead good lives as long as he does n't relent . odd then , that the end does n't seem like the result of a lot of hard work .", "it 's message might be delivered in the form of a sermon , but the message is such a good one , that errors can be forgiven ." ], "summary": "even though it 's based on a true story , MOV is pretty formulaic stuff , but it 's effective and energetic , thanks to a strong central performance from samuel l. jackson .", "id": "10295" }, { "movie": "civic_duty", "reviews": [ "laughable and immature", "the film 's anti-islamic tone , intended to show terry 's frame of mind , detracts from whatever helpful message the filmmakers may have hoped to impart .", "a sharp 9/11 twist on rear window paranoia , MOV is all the more effective for its chilling plausibility .", "an all-around disappointment .", "once the story 's events reach a climactic pitch , the film stagnates in place for too long and loses momentum .", "this little paranoid thriller ... does a superb job exploring how middle class feelings of entitlement to the american dream are reflected in post 9/11 racial stereotyping .", "it 's an ineptly put-together concoction that , despite its political musings , offers nothing new to the viewer .", "dig deep down into some bad movies and you occasionally find a good idea at the center . MOV is n't one of those movies .", "canadian director jeff renfroe builds only off-the-shelf suspense as terry 's suspicions increase .", "echoes of rear window abound , but any audience sympathy for the self-appointed detective is thwarted by krause 's typically sulky performance .", "an intense and startling movie for our times . it hits you right between the eyes .", "a claustrophobic setting and the paranoid concerns of a modern world make jeff renfroe 's `` MOV '' an effective psychological thriller .", "the film 's pace lags toward the end , but its grasp of manufactured fear 's dreary pervasiveness never falters .", "all that flash serves to prop up what 's in essence a one-act play , constructed around a political message that 's telegraphed from the start .", "it does build up considerable suspense and tension ; renfroe has learned well from hitchcock .", "the vivid sense of time and place is the best thing about the initially promising , ultimately irritating psychological thriller MOV .", "as thoughtful as it means to be -- its agenda is outlined by on-the-nose dialogue from its characters -- MOV does little to go beyond this premise .", "the movie becomes a game of sorts , and to get to the ` truth ' of the story we 're left simply keeping score rather than examining our own perceptions and reaching any greater understanding of the very real issues at hand .", "tensely plotted and suffused with an eerie gloom .", "the well-structured scenario is arresting but ill-served by an overly fussy visual treatment from helmer jeff renfroe .", "a provocative , unsettling tale about a powerful nation on the defensive .", "MOV is ultimately less psychological thriller than polemic ...", "krause and his character are the entire movie . watching him fall apart is fascinating and the ending has a particularly nice , if expected , twist .", "`` rear window '' updated to post 9-11 corporate downsizing has too many mixed messages to convey the simple fear of a classic thriller .", "a flawed but worthwhile examination of paranoia and clashing cultures in the 21st century .", "andrew joiner 's clever and layered screenplay just may be one of the best of the year , particularly as it requires thought and may even spark debate .", "eventually it all boils down to clich\u00e9 , with home invasions by terry , physical confrontations between terry and gabe , a hostage situation , a main character getting gunned down , and all the other standard thriller tropes that might excite the kind of audie", "terrorism can make you crazy . or more accurately , u.s. media hype about terrorism can drive you to believe .", "mostly suffers from overwriting", "if we can ignore the plot 's too-often dips into clich\u00e9 , we just might walk away with a lot on our minds .", "there 's the faint air of a solid cable movie about MOV ... but the questions it raises are provocative enough to make it worth seeing .", "until it becomes simply a hostage dilemma , the film maintains an uneasy air of mystery and suspicion .", "MOV sends you home depressed , but at least it makes you think . it 's a breed of film that 's rare to find on the summer movie slate .", "the filmmakers are n't able to pull it off but deserve credit for their attempt to be thought-provoking .", "though MOV seems to be a study in paranoid psychosis , it has just enough ambiguity to make you wonder if it is n't something else . you 'll still be wondering when it 's all over .", "peter krause , the fine actor from six feet under , gives a one-note performance that seriously undermines MOV", "canadian director jeff renfroe has made a lurid , tense film about an incident-in-the-making that fairly crackles with the inevitability of its events .", "with nowhere for any of the characters to go , literally , the story becomes a tendentious exercise in belaboring a point .", "if mr. krause were n't so good at making his psychotic break with reality -lrb- or was it ? -rrb- so steadily , plausibly convincing , the movie would be unwatchable . instead , it 's a disturbing diary of one man 's descent .", "it begins by swiping a premise and concludes with an attempted robbery of our principles , pretending that today 's world is too confusing for us to know whether to cheer for george bush or to march with michael moore .", "not even richard schiff 's droll underplaying as the drollest underplayer in the fbi can make dramatic sense of MOV .", "MOV does engage and get your pulse racing .", "it 's a gloomy , intense and effective little picture , without being the least bit original .", "a tense psychological thriller that effectively exploits our fears of terrorism .", "MOV tantalizes with `` is he or is n't he '' questions about gabe 's true identity without ever positing a final , and what would be an ultimately unimportant , answer .", "jeff renfroe 's film stirs up some timely anxieties , including the war on terror , racial profiling .", "expected ironies about homeland security , racial profiling , and fears of the other land like a rain of anvils , and director renfroe matches krause 's worked-up performance with a jiggly , flashy approximation of off-brand tony scott .", "a riveting study of paranoia and the wild and destructive behavior that it can spawn .", "a modest-sized but smart spooker .", "asks the piercing question : does the terrorist lurk within us ? in actuality , it 's a question worth exploring , but not one that this bombastic and silly thriller is prepared to answer in any dramatically sustainable fashion .", "a gripping thriller exploring post-9 / 11 paranoia .", "MOV , a thinking person 's thriller , is a fascinating rorschach test for audiences ." ], "summary": "at times a tense and provocative thriller , MOV struggles to move beyond its one-note premise .", "id": "674237612" }, { "movie": "the_big_year", "reviews": [ "the most inviting thing in the movie was the exit door .", "well-made , well-acted and at times very touching , despite featuring characters generally behaving like obsessed weirdos", "a feather-light tale that never really takes off .", "a comedy with fewer laughs than measles .", "a charming little narrative movie that is so amiably ridiculous that you 're sure it must have been invented ... the three stars bring their most satisfying games , their comedy small and human-scaled rather than broad and slapsticky . .", "the opposite of the quiet , contemplative activity ornithology is supposed to be , this may well be the joke , in which case it 's the only one .", "if you are stuck in a rut and really want to follow your dreams , try this gentle , light-hearted comedy .", "frankel and co might have taken a bolder step into the darkly comedic look of the birder 's psyche and added more of a gust of air into this film 's feathers ...", "if you go into it not expecting big comedy , `` MOV '' can be an enjoyable diversion for an evening . but it helps if you like nature .", "if you can get past the obviously obscure subject matter , you 'll find a really sweet film beneath .", "MOV is completely predictable and full of way too many bird-watching montages set to inspiring music , but it 's such an upbeat , cheery film that it 's pretty hard to resist .", "faintly amusing , not wacky at all , considering this cast .", "you doubt that even the people making it enjoyed it . a better title would be `` the big yawn . ''", "a game of angry birds is far more enjoyable than this flocked-up mess . a script written in wingdings would have been preferable .", "... the film itself qualifies as a rara avis : a benign , good-hearted movie about three disparate characters ' search for happiness . the fact that it 's rated pg , and yet is intended for adult audiences , should tell you something about the movie 's nature .", "sweet , soulful travelogue/comedy is n't just for the birds .", "one of the blandest imaginable comedies , a pg-rated flick that 's so nice and so harmless it 's like inhaling pound after pound of flavorless tofu .", "` year flies over the cuckoo 's nest .", "people watching birds is a nice thing . people watching a movie about people watching birds is sort of a snore .", "its charms are as small as its singing feathered friends , but they 're real enough , and gentle enough , to lift it and give it flight .", "yes , the characters are razor-thin and the dialogue wooden , but there 's some light comic fun to be had with the batty birders .", "if you 're tired of gross-out humour and interested to see what three leading comics do with this mild-mannered material , MOV is well worth a look .", "bird-watching - or birding , as practitioners prefer to call it - makes for a stupefyingly boring movie .", "the lead performances feel a bit restrained as the stars struggle to find a balance between comic exaggeration and dramatic realism .", "how can a movie with these great actors/comedians be so unfunny ?", "`` MOV '' proves yet again that comedy is n't just magic that happens when funny people stand next to each other . they actually have to be doing or saying , or not doing or not saying , something that might inspire humor .", "a genial comedy with more power under its wings than it seems . this one could have flown over the cuckoo 's nest , or smacked into a glass pane , but instead lands in the middle of the road where quirky and popular meet .", "this movie stubbornly refuses to take flight , or generate more than a few chuckles .", "`` MOV '' has heart and sweetness to spare - but as any birder will tell you , focus and energy count , too .", "it 's just all , unfortunately , a little stronger on the pretty pictures than it is on interesting characters , or sharp comedy .", "a small movie with small charms . -lrb- movie review for parents also available -rrb-", "it 's nice to watch a comedy that does n't screech or foul the nest , but `` MOV '' is no big deal .", "the scenery and the birds -lrb- at least the less obviously cgi birds -rrb- are lovely . but the personal lives of the three men are predictable and not very compelling .", "while likable enough , the movie proves a curiously pallid , choppy mixture of farce and sentiment that does n't take full advantage of what the stars have to offer .", "an enjoyable comedy about three avid birders who wind up as competitors on a quest to see who can spot the most species of birds in north america", "for less ambitious bird watchers , these details may be fascinating ... but for most of us , it 's strictly for the birds .", "it 's the mayonnaise of movies .", "nothing emotional going on inside", "the only real reason to watch it is if you 're looking for something to talk about with your granny .", "the movie feels rushed ... and in the process , it solves its minimal conflicts too easily .", "good-natured and amiable though it is , it 's not particularly funny , nor are its sunny elements enough to justify dragging yourself out of the house to see it .", "... one of the most pleasant surprises of this little year ...", "if only `` MOV '' played as strongly as a movie about birding as it does as one of those films where the journey does n't matter as much as that same old revelations about what matters in life .", "like birding itself , `` MOV '' rewards patience . it respects both the integrity and the eccentricity of the avian obsession , and it communicates something of the fascinating abundance and weirdness of the animals themselves .", "with ambitions greater than comedy and results that fall short of character study , MOV is neither fish nor fowl .", "all of these featherheads - both the avian and human kind - are lovable . even better , they 're funny , in a comedy that does n't have to swoop to conquer .", "if the mere mention of the blue-footed booby sends you into paroxysms , MOV is the film for you .", "as funny as alzheimer 's and as entertaining as catatonia , `` MOV '' is more pet peeve than pastime .", "there is some harmless pleasure to be found when feathers are n't ruffled , when the fowl is not foul .", "this gently charming comedy about a trio of birders is based on a winning premise , likable performances and stunning natural vistas .", "black tamps down the runty obnoxiousness , wilson the malibu smarm , martin the pandering . they 're good company . so , in its fubsy way , is the movie .", "steve martin , jack black and owen wilson all have made a great film or two , surrounded by tons of bad ones . `` MOV '' is closer to the latter .", "aside from an international staring contest and the world series of texting , there are n't many challenges less suited for a movie than competitive -lsb- birding -rsb- .", "stunning photography compensates for silly plot .", "`` MOV '' is that rarity : a genuinely sweet film , about nice people happily engaged in the pursuit of something they love .", "another watered-down mainstream comedy with a self-improvement message and standard relationship dramas .", "you get something you do n't anticipate -- and that 's not a bad thing .", "the film has some charm , but the potential comic explosiveness of bringing together such major talents as steve martin , jack black , and owen wilson remains unfulfilled .", "it 's like an easter egg hunt for adults , joyous and sweet . MOV competition may be fierce , but the movie is as soft as a bunny .", "... it 's a genuinely engaging and amiable film that convincingly brings the viewer into a world that is very likely not his own", "what 's next ? a movie about people watching tv ?", "one of the most commendable things about MOV is its willingness to allow that your passions are your passions , and while the world may not comprehend them , that does n't mean they have to be a source of unfair mockery .", "even if MOV does n't entirely jell , it 's a movie that 's too charming to dislike .", "a genial if slow-moving , almost sleepy comedy .", "owen wilson and jack black appear on the verge of succumbing to the same terminal blandness that 's gripped martin for so long .", "it has barely enough pulse to power a hummingbird .", "`` MOV '' flaps its wings awfully hard but never truly takes flight .", "drained of its stars ' onetime giddy spirit , this is an olive garden farce for audiences who do n't hunger for authentic wit .", "this film may not do for birds what frankel 's last film , marley & me , did for dogs , but there 's a similar current of warmth and appreciation for the effect of animals on people to be felt .", "the characters are just as two-dimensional as they sound , but damned if wilson , martin , and black do n't make those dimensions pop .", "-lsb- it -rsb- has an innocence and charm that will make it appealing for families , especially those who have had enough whales and dolphins for the year .", "frankel is blessed with this cast and a subject that seems ripe for mockery , or at least gentle lampooning . but he never lands big laughs , just grins and giggles .", "just a load of planes , cranes and himalayan snowcocks .", "even though it 's rather corny and sentimental , this colourful comedy-drama holds our interest mainly because it 's about a subject we 'd never imagine watching a film about .", "MOV is as glossy and inert as martin 's face , which these days seems to require more foundation than the burj khalifa .", "it 's theoretically possible for laughs to be gouged out of this scenario , but you wo n't find them here : every move , every joke , every emotion is heaved lumberingly into place .", "in some alternate universe , a much better version of MOV exists , one that embraces the essential , insular weirdness and romantic fanaticism of the birding community it chronicles .", "veers close to being the bucketful-of-birds list . so pleasantly decent and hesitant to be complex that it 's rather simple-minded ; it just does n't make an obsession sing to us .", "owen wilson , jack black and steve martin find a formula for blandness", "engaging , low-key comedy enlivened by likeable characters , strong performances and an original central premise , though it 's slightly undone by an overwritten script and a grating , ever-present voiceover .", "even if you do n't know a sapsucker from a seagull , MOV displays unusual heart , and respect for a pastime that could easily be mocked .", "the result is an offence-free , mild entertainment in which everyone from cast to scriptwriter seems to be winging it .", "a very mild movie , but in the nicest sense of the word .", "if MOV does anything , it highlights how far martin , black , and wilson have fallen from the giddy , off-kilter humor they used to bring to projects .", "an ornithological delight designed with the bird fancier in mind !", "unfortunately , these comic geniuses are kept caged by the wan script and direction . the best gag in the film is the opening title card ; the best joke , a throwaway by a day player .", "it might not be in the running for the worst hollywood movie of 2011 , but then again it might .", "failing even to attempt genuinely humorous gags or scenarios , and incapable of conveying the thrill of its obsessive pastime or the majesty of the animals themselves , this feel-good male weepie remains comedically and dramatically grounded .", "perhaps in the hands other another director , this film about obsessive birders would have felt truly obsessive . instead , it 's simply nice .", "one of the smartest and funniest films this year . .", "a lackluster movie about birdwatching is a total waste of martin/wilson/black 's talents .", "... a slick yet empty piece of work .", "MOV has charms : not a jawdropping flock of them , but a number of sweet insights and warm laughs just the same .", "what a waste that three of our finest actors are utilized as glorified bit players in such an instantly disposable comedy .", "it 's funny , has a plot and its lack of profanity and violence is a welcome relief .", "poor owen wilson , another rotten movie . he 's joined by steve martin and jack black , no strangers to the genre , in this uninivolving tale that even beautiful scenery ca n't redeem .", "insipid and inept .", "i 'd write that MOV is for the birds , but it 's quite enjoyable at times -- a bright and colorful escapade across america -lrb- or likely canada -rrb- with three affable comedians scrambling to make tepid material their own .", "considering the high-flying talent attached , MOV is a big letdown .", "the question that comes most readily to mind is why the powers that be went to the trouble of hiring three actors with vivid on-screen personas and then did everything in their power to render them non-entities .", "a buddy movie meets a birdy movie , and three guesses who wins that one !", "fine-feathered , somewhat funny - yet it 's a quirky , outdoorsy expedition that fails to take comedic flight ." ], "summary": "though made with care and affection for its characters , MOV plods along , rarely reaching any comedic heights .", "id": "771225768" }, { "movie": "center_stage", "reviews": [ "although MOV does n't really find its groove until the last act , its dance numbers are well worth the price of admission .", "unfortunately , in between the dance sequences , the actors are allowed to talk . this is a problem .", "what really counts in MOV are the extended dance scenes , all of which are absolutely exhilarating .", "the inspiring central plot still works , the actors are refreshing and the dance is great to watch , making MOV a worthwhile experience .", "the plot , like the ballerinas , is wafer-thin , but the dancing is impressive , and you 'll find yourself rooting for the dancers ' success .", "what a joy to see a young woman say ` no ' to sexual advances , even from a former lover , while maintaining a sense of power and purpose .", "not since the turning point has a dance movie done so many cinematic pirouettes with such a graceful sense of audience-pleasing fun .", "a lightweight but highly likeable and , at times , thrilling film .", "lacks brio .", "fortunately , it also contains several more complex characters who manage to make the film a surprisingly engaging affair .", "MOV has moments of joy and moments of insight .", "the script , by carol heikkinen , contains enough characters and subplots that the movie always feels as if it is going somewhere .", "a joyous celebration of youth and show business .", "embarrassingly enjoyable .", "anybody who 's ever laced on toe shoes , or wanted to , will find something to take away from MOV .", "a pleasant little fantasy film masquerading as real life .", "if only hytner had chucked the cliched script and turned MOV into a full-blown song-and-dance musical , the movie might have been something special .", "the resulting dynamics , while producing some jovial flow and engaging tension , tend toward a somewhat tottering balance .", "MOV does n't make much sense when the characters are n't dancing .", "the story is shallow stuff , but pretty entertaining until it becomes utterly preposterous .", "it 's hard to imagine who might be seduced by this predictable , sugary ballet cartoon .", "a paint-by-numbers type of film .", "in terms of story and characters , this film pirouettes into the orchestra pit .", "MOV is n't going to live forever .", "i actually kinda liked it .", "the dance routines truly are wonderful . only thing is , you have to sit through a so-so storyline and sappy plot to get there .", "this one is your basic collection of aspiring trainee cliches -- think fame with a dumber plot and prettier dancing .", "seeing foot-work this fun on film is enough . give MOV an encore just for existing .", "unless you really have an affection for dance , you 'll likely find yourself easily distracted during the soap-operatic nature of the petty infighting between students , their parents and mentors .", "-lsb- hytner 's -rsb- widescreen direction of the many dance sequences has a snap to it the likes of which has n't been seen in studio musical filmmaking for years .", "ultimately the story line here is as stupid as the final ` rock ' ballet .", "subpar dawson 's creek in danskins .", "ethan steifel 's unforgettable dancing seems to defy the laws of gravity -- and without computerized special effects .", "does one kid turn out to be bulimic ? does someone proclaim , `` i 'm not dancing for them anymore -- i 'm dancing for myself '' ? you need not see `` MOV '' to correctly guess the answers to those questions .", "offers insights into the rigors , foibles , physical pain , and competitiveness in the modern world of ballet .", "MOV proves that it 's hard to make a bad dance movie .", "melodramatic , a bit racy -- some teens will love .", "assuming that every generation needs its own dance film , hytner revists the turf of films like turning point -lrb- classic ballet -rrb- , chrous line -lrb- broadway dancing -rrb- and saturday night fever -lrb- disco -rrb- and blends together their themes and persona to little effect .", "if i was a 12 year old girl who takes any sort of dance classes , this would be my favorite film of all time ... but i 'm not .", "... not only insultingly stupid but weirdly dull .", "MOV is the same old stuff , not an arabesque more .", "what fame would have been if it had been a poorly acted soap opera .", "if you have the remotest interest in ballet , MOV is impossible to pass up .", "while it seems like hytner was aiming for something like fame , the end result is more like a nudity-free showgirls for the pre-teen set .", "the dance sequences in his film make the most exciting footage .", "the movie is quick and discreetly sexy and definitely goopy .", "with a plot that is constructed entirely out of formula situations and familiar plot elements , MOV feels like a rerun of flashdance grafted onto the cutting edge .", "an often remarkably exhilarating and surprisingly insightful dance drama , perhaps the most impressionable and well-made in its genre since 1987 's dirty dancing .", "it is so bad , it actually made me realize that life does n't hold try-outs and i should use my time doing better things than watching MOV .", "what a splendid diversion is MOV , a broadway musical splashed across the big screen .", "an unexpected pleasure .", "the aim of the film was to be entertaining , the art part it dumbed down for mass consumption .", "an unbelievably hokey , and , in spite of the terpsichore on display , resolutely lead-footed piece of mawkish melodrama .", "the acting is wooden .", "it 's a bad joke .", "nicholas hytner 's movie might be subtitled beverly hills 90210 goes to juilliard .", "both too high-minded and too low-minded .", "MOV is n't going to live forever .", "the cast is all very young and pretty , but they play types rather than anything approaching the semblance of a real human being .", "ineptly acted and so predictable and silly that it may prompt more howls of laughter than applause from audiences .", "i 'm a guy , but it 's my job to admit i liked MOV .", "to watch it is to be transported to your living room sofa on the laziest , rainiest sunday afternoon , saying ` thank you usa television ' between wendys commercials .", "despite it being ballet-dancing , which i admit to despising personally , i still managed to remain quite interested .", "MOV is all dancing and hugging and no good .", "the young cast of unknowns in MOV can all dance , which is a very good thing indeed because virtually none of them can act .", "if you like campy dance movies , this one wo n't let you down" ], "summary": "critics say that if you 're willing to suffer through soap opera-like dialogue and plot to see some excellent dancing , this movie is for you . otherwise , you might be better off renting fame .", "id": "10234" }, { "movie": "hannah_montana_the_movie", "reviews": [ "undoubtedly , hannah montana : the movie will appeal to cyrus ' core audience , but the chances of this sanitized , prepackaged effort expanding her fan base is about nil .", "there 's nothing subtle or unexpected about hannah montana : the movie . but its intended audience of prepubescent girls probably wo n't mind . still , it 's hard not to wish the same wholesome message could be conveyed with a bit more finesse and originality .", "in the end , hannah montana : the movie is big , beautiful , a little boring and utterly safe .", "parents will find their suspension of disbelief stretched thinner than a beanpole at the movie 's climax , though the kiddie target audience will likely walk away enchanted by the overall message of hometown goodwill .", "hannah montana : the movie is an excuse for some generically catchy songs and a showcase for miley cyrus ' charmingly chipmunk-cheeked smile ; and on that level , it works well enough .", "combo hick flick musical , big screen image cleanup community service stint and worst of both worlds hide and seek story , while chasing down that playing hard to get ho hum marlboro boy next door .", "cyrus has maintained an honorably wholesome image , and this feature-length spinoff of the sitcom does nothing to hurt it . but it also does nothing to help cyrus or the audience evolve .", "the movie looks and sounds like a real film , not an extended version of the tv show . the acting and the cinematography is bumped up a notch .", "a mix of musical numbers , down-home country cliches and silly slapstick , it was clearly crafted with her biggest aficionados in mind .", "this probably wo n't sway the unconverted into becoming fans , but it should please the more than 180 million viewers of the hit disney channel series .", "a perpetual disney identity crisis that involves a blonde wig , a prepubescent vertigo-meets jekyll and hyde-meets high school musical .", "the perfect combination of old and new versions of the american dream : country girl riding out into the misty wilderness by day , and teen pop phenomenon by night .", "older viewers will find plenty to smile at , even if it is simply recognising that you would have absolutely loved this movie when you were twelve-years-old .", "wo n't shake up the movie world , but it is a family film that 's easy enough to like while overlooking the fact it sprouts corn and movie cliches .", "the way this movie ends is so wrong that it does n't deserve a pass as frothy entertainment . why ? because it 's actively sending a bad message to kids . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "it 's predictable , it 's overacted , it 's little more than a longer version of the tv show -- and it 's a guaranteed hit among loyal fans of the fictional pop star .", "it 's wholesome hokum , to be sure , but of a very high standard .", "you would think after all these decades of making these kinds of movies disney would do a better job with this , but it really is terrible .", "kevin irwin - as cynical exercises in teen marketing go , it 's all relatively painless and , whisper it , great fun at times .", "fans will be ecstatic about miley 's cinematic adventure . for everybody else , the humour will be cheesy , the romance at a primary school level , but this light , nice movie is undeniably likeable all the same .", "nothing but an impersonal product manipulating kids who do n't know better . all hannah montana does is steal their lunch money .", "a brightly colored yet cheap-looking affair .", "the movie repeatedly knocks miley down a peg and humiliates her whenever she expresses an interest in blooming into international sensation hannah full-time .", "as teen fantasy hannah has worked well enough to meet fan approval . and i liked her concert film from last year . but the movie , inoffensive though it is , suggests they 're over it . maybe we should be , too .", "director peter chesholm does a fine job moving hannah out of its $ 14.95 disney channel set and onto a bigger canvas .", "miley is charming , but every element of this concotion is calculated for commercial reasons , which would have been no problem if the picture was less formulaic and more engaging or entertaining .", "hannah montana : the movie , like an elvis film , is an all-american corporate product designed to please people fast and make money , an occasional treat like a soda pop or a cheeseburger ... and just as bad for kids if that 's all they ever consume .", "i might not possess the tools to compute country star cameos and vital supporting characters , but an infuriatingly slack pace does n't need a weekend cram session of dvd box sets to detect .", "miley cyrus , aka miley stewart , aka hannah montana races through a life penned by charlie kaufman and packaged by disney .", "resistance is futile .", "the easter bunny will have to share the weekend spotlight with 16-year-old pop culture sensation miley cyrus . this movie will touch your heart and provide surprises as you watch this country girl just having fun .", "more hee haw than ha ha -lrb- kids , ask your parents or grandparents -rrb- hannah montana : the movie is like the hannah montana tv show only longer . way longer .", "this film is n't out to win over the internet fanboy audience . i ` ts not out to find new supporters in the new york art houses . it 's all about giving the fans what they want .", "` if you guys do n't mind , i 'm gon na add a little hip-hop to this hoedown , ' announces miley , contributing a quote to the culture that needs to be sampled , pronto ...", "thin as a flip-flop and as complicated as a scrunchy , the plot is barely enough for half a movie . at the 45-minute point , things are pretty much wrapped up .", ". . family entertainment in the best sense , in that it 's not something adults would watch on their own , but it 's not something they have to endure in pain , either .", "falls flat as a contrived drama and dull , vapid comedy . only easily pleased fans of miley cyrus will find it to be mildly amusing and harmless , but everyone else will often be painfully bored and wish that it were over sooner .", "i 'm almost embarrassed at how entertained i was .", "like the girl at its center , MOV ai n't perfect , but it sure is likable , and a whole lot of fun .", "hannah 's music and miley 's romance are sure to wow tweens .", "... hannah montana : the movie , its light and empty , cotton candy made out of sugar substitute , not the real sweet deal .", "the film is sweet and innocent , just as one might expect . while not horrible , i ca n't heap praise on it either .", "... a generic coming-of-age teen drama ...", "it 's true that legions of fans wo n't likely find the reality traumatizing once they are old enough to finally grasp it . nevertheless , the film is hypocritical in the moral lesson it attempts to impart .", "... more bittersweet , even melancholy , than it has any right to be .", "basically super-sizes the formula of the successful television series for a hannah-hungry audience of multiplex moppets .", "hannah montana : the movie is n't exactly high art , but that 's not really the point , is it ?", "best approached as a test as to whether cyrus has a future career once the hype inevitably blows out . and the answer is ...", "a tweener-mesmerizing mix of music-induced mass hysteria coupled with some homespun cordiality courtesy of a colorful collection of harmless hicks .", "as a fan film , hannah montana : the movie rates a 7 or 8 out of 10 , but if you judge it straight-up it 's probably closer to a 6 .", "likable in segments but its heart is n't quite in the right place . in its last minutes , the film spinelessly squanders the chance to be more than just sugary junk food .", "hannah montana : the movie has performance numbers -- the first one fancifully blurs the line between a live hannah concert and a music video - flat melodrama , and such guest stars as rascal flatts and taylor swift , as themselves .", "now , at least , i understand the hoopla surrounding this spunky , cool , and charismatic young performer", "the movie will satisfy cyrus fans and give their families a sense of why they love her so much .", "ultimately , the fan-pleasing hmtm and its bestselling soundtrack album are about building new bridges .", "the movie 's only mission is to further a brand , and it exists specifically to prop up its song list , which includes the latest dance craze , ` hoedown throwdown , ' in which miley exhorts us to pop it , lock it and , to the best of our abilities , ` polka-dot it .", "for its target audience , oblivious to the film 's narrative crossed wires , it 's definitely three-star entertainment .", "has there ever been a more critic-proof film than hannah montana ? montana is targeted with laser precision at an audience barely old enough to read , let alone pay attention to what laptop-toting wretches have to say about its aesthetic shortcomings .", "like 2003 's lizzie mcguire movie , hannah breaks little new ground but makes the big screen shift with liveliness and sense of humor impressively intact .", "no better than cable-quality , and devoted fans really deserve something beyond assembly-line stuff when their tv idols are brought to the big screen .", "assorted conflicts and adventures ensue , and the movie overall is painless if not exactly electrifying .", "the rest of the time it 's up to cyrus to keep things light , and her undeniable charisma radiates from the big screen as strongly as it does on the small one .", "cyrus is energetic and appealing on the big screen , and she comes across as singularly unimpressed with herself .", "i 'm not much of a fan of the whole hannah thing , but it 's pretty clear that young miss cyrus is the real deal .", "asked to anchor a full-length movie , she simply does n't have the chops to pull it off .", "improbably entertaining .", "if you 're no longer old enough to carry a hannah montana lunch box , this movie will feel like punishment .", "mawkish but energized .", "as critic-proof as they come , hannah montana : the movie is sure to delight the tweenagers who adore the disney channel series .", "who cares if it gives anyone over the age of 12 a headache ? the state of hannah montana is little-girl paradise .", "good grief . the same guy who directed this also helmed one of my favorite movies .", "the film is absolutely functional , and deserves no praise greater than `` it 's no worse than it ought to be '' .", "the script ... jumps through the requisite sitcom hoops , setting up such wacky situations as having miley and hannah show up in the same place .", "in hannah montana : the movie , miley cyrus gets back to her roots , re-learns the importance of family , and purges herself of the poisons of materialism . for a minute .", "put simply , the film is delightful family entertainment .", "professional duty compelled me to sit through last year 's hannah montana 3d concert film , so i speak with authority when i say this is mildly more endurable , if only because there are fewer songs .", "there 's no doubting miley 's boundless energy , but this is strictly for fans - it 's not as much fun as you might expect and the message it sends out is confused , to say the least .", "hannah montana : the movie is completely worthless to anyone older than their early teens .", "completely predictable , sickeningly sentimental and definitely limited in its appeal to diehard fans only .", "i ca n't actually claim that his take on hannah montana is anything more than a basinful of easy entertainment for younger teens , it does what it sets out to do with commendable fluency and zeal .", "... plays like a cornball extension of miley 's terminally cutesy televised vehicle . sadly , it 's not the best of both worlds for miley cyrus or hannah montana in this jagged juvenile farce .", "if you 're old enough to drive yourself to the theater , this is not for you . but if you have a ` tween girl living in your household , for her , it 's a must-see .", "nice , clean entertainment but maybe too sweet for anyone over twelve", "` real life ' as envisioned by folks whose idea of such was obviously cobbled together from the more backward examples of 1950s sitcoms .", "cyrus , as always , is a professional charmer -lrb- it 's hard to resist when she leads a hip-hop hoedown -rrb- , and the crusty folkiness of billy ray cyrus as her real-life dad is as welcome as ever .", "hannah montana fans will be in hog heaven over this country-fried fun .", "aside from a few cameos and a big benefit concert to save her hometown from evil land developers , there 's nothing really that makes the movie stand out from the tv show .", "the bottom line is that i do n't think you are going to care .", "it 's all in good fun , even if it is n't actually much fun .", "it 's a pretty dumb , predictable story , but for a ten year-old girl , the target audience , hannah montana : the movie is good , clean g-rated fun without so much as one wet kiss .", "blackpool 's own peter chelsom gets stuck in behind the camera - or should that be stuck ? at least this follow-your-heart pap throws out the odd stray zinger : `` fabulous news - beyonc\u00e9 has double pneumonia ! ''", "you might be rather surprised at just how likeable the bubblegum teen romance of hannah montana : the movie actually is . and this is due in no small part to the superior comic acting chops of amiable bow-legged songbird , miley cyrus .", "while cyrus 's droll performance -lrb- miley 's not billy ray 's -rrb- deserves better material , this is still amply entertaining .", "remember where you were when you first saw the ` hit me baby , one more time ' video ? for just 102 minutes of your time now you 'll be rewarded with a lifetime 's - worth of satisfying star-watching .", "you have to be true to yourself and your roots , particularly if you live a lie . as moral messages go , the one peddled by MOV could do with some fine-tuning .", "this parent-child love story , glancingly expressed through the potent medium of country music , often had me wondering if anyone in the cinema had a number for tennessee social services .", "the film slips into american schmaltz at times , but it 's really a thing of wonder - an infectious and irresistible fantasy that all the family can enjoy .", "the producers thus having their apple pie and eating it .", "my own idea of hell on earth but , for girls of a certain age , this is more appealing than just about anything else on the planet .", "there 's a predictable plot , a few catchy songs and a shoe fight with tyra banks . in short : lazy but functional tween fare .", "part musical , part coming-of-age romance , all clich\u00e9d .", "you do n't eat a twinkie to lose weight , and you do n't see this film to challenge yourself emotionally or intellectually .", "miley 's return to her tennessee roots goes a little heavy on the country corn .", "a goofily endearing romp that might even lasso a few new fans .", "this disney film is a hand-tooled , eight-cylinder charm offensive : the landscape is ravishingly shot , the songs are cute and the plot moves from slapstick to romance at a cracking pace . your 13-year-old daughter will utterly love it .", "the film ends in infectious good-humour . it seems perfectly calculated for its intended market , unlike wolverine .", "even primary school age children will have seen this `` finding your true self '' story before - and will also be familiar with the falling-off-ladders type of humour which dominates .", "admittedly i 'm not the target audience , but this heavy-handed tale of cute 'n' spunky young miley getting back to her rural roots is tough to swallow .", "it 's all good , clean fun but bland , corny and forgettable , too .", "kids will love this , put adults might find this a bit too much .", "with its kid-friendly mix of tunes and chaste romance , this is sure to leave its target demographic grinning widely .", "extolling the virtues of honesty , decency , friendship and family while portraying capitalism as the root of all evil , this big-screen outing for disney 's latest pop princess is a wholesome treat for her legions of young fans .", "fans will love this bright if bland romp , but it lacks that crossover appeal to make it a guilty adult pleasure .", "a commercial product it may be , but there 's a lot to like in this well-crafted disney confection , which presents a positive role model who learns the value of family , friendship and the perils of losing that to fame and popularity .", "parental content review", "it 's not detestable and wo n't give you food poisoning , however , it 's another one of those movies that is just bland and reaches for nothing more than mediocre .", "i found myself caught up in the pure , joyful sort of innocence of the story . granted , it 's a story that does n't make a lick of sense to the outside world ...", "a fun musical with the spiritual messages that the journey is what matters and who we are has a lot to do with where we come from .", "i do n't buy billy ray cyrus as miley 's dad .", "you grant a little leeway for a movie aimed at kids , but come on . plenty of kids ' movies are clever and make sense . this one is n't and does n't .", "the most surprising thing about hannah montana is not how it breaks out of its clich\u00e9d constraints , but how high it flies in spite of them .", "i may be putting my career on the line for this but this movie was enjoyable , well directed and well acted .", "this may be the single most convoluted film that billy ray cyrus has ever been featured in and bear in mind , the guy did appear in `` mulholland drive . ''", "the nicest thing one can say about the film is that at least it 's not the suite life of zack & cody : the movie ." ], "summary": "while youthful miley fans wo n't complain , MOV is little more than a formulaic disney channel episode stretched thin .", "id": "770680397" }, { "movie": "star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace", "reviews": [ "lucas has protected his multibillion-dollar franchise by making a film targeted at children . it gives them exactly what they want -- eye candy that moves at light speed .", "what 's important to remember is that the better moments do n't merely balance out the weaker ones - they topple them .", "what is most striking about lucas ' movies -- all his movies , including thx 1138 and american graffiti -- is a sort of startling obviousness .", "i must take issue with the intense backlash from other critics against the film .", "no film made could measure up to the avalanche of buzz and craziness surrounding this release . there is plenty of both good and bad news here .", "i enjoyed the film and feel that it established the foundation for many story elements that were curiously unexplained in the previous trilogy .", "as an artist , lucas is lacking , but as a businessman he knows his stuff .", "film franchises come and go all the time in hollywood , particularly in science-fiction circles , but the force is still strong in this one .", "there are no romance , no humor , ultimately nobody to care about in this oddly sterile movie .", "lucas ' films might not be very deep , but they 're very complex and involving in a comic book kind of way .", "an absolute disaster !", "this is n't a film that will change history the way the first star wars did 22 years ago .", "it 's cinematic junk food , the pernicious effect of which had already set in long before this film came out .", "you keep looking for the emotional center of the movie and never find it .", "in special effects , lucas has moved a galaxy beyond . in energy , not yet .", "everything about this film is so mechanical you wonder if it was written , directed and acted by ` droids . '", "what 's missing from george lucas ' heralded return to the screen is ... sex .", "the technology is state-of-the-art , but the people around it are far from state-of-the-heart .", "the lack of emotion is glaring !", "it actually undoes some of the myth and magic that the first three movies forged in the hearts and minds of millions of movie lovers .", "it 's slow . its characters are anorexic . the dialogue is mostly forgettable . jake lloyd delivers something short of an exciting performance .", "it 's well-made and entertaining !", "it exactly has the same strengths and weaknesses as the original three , plus breathtakingly spectacular visual design and special effects .", "se este fosse o primeiro epis\u00f3dio da s\u00e9rie a chegar aos cinemas , ela n\u0103o teria alcan\u00e7ado o status e a longevidade que conseguiu nos \u00faltimos 20 anos .", "the movie 's visual artstry amazed me .", "even with a pretty rotten crust the toppings are still delicious .", "it does the job just fine . that job , as director george lucas freely admits , is quite simply to thrill the beating hearts and the inquiring minds of 12-year-old boys .", "the movie has no heart , dark or otherwise , only state-of-the-art accouterments .", "lucas at his visionary best and at his maddening worst .", "episodio i tuvo la virtud de juntar a dos generaciones en un mismo fen\u00f3meno", "a murky , talky prequel that emphasises all the series ' weakest elements rather than its strongest ones .", "lucas has fashioned a fascinating pluriverse of outer space works filled with strange and amazing creatures and special effects .", "phantom had me from the moment it touched down on naboo .", "lucas ' directorial attention is clearly not focused on the cast , most of whom seem slightly adrift .", "geared more to video-game fans than to grown-up moviegoers who remember when the best fantasy films had grander ambitions .", "creating a so-called modern legend , droning on about the force and all the rest of it , is no substitute for the full engagement of our senses .", "many of the scenes feel shapeless and flat-they 're not ended , but abandoned .", "with phantom , lucas has brought the series to the brink of total artificiality , the future as a video game .", "the actors are wallpaper , the jokes are juvenile , there 's no romance , and the dialogue lands with the thud of a computer-instruction manual .", "too bad writer-director lucas left out the gee-whiz enthusiasm of the original movies . he also left out memorable characters . he left out the fun .", "if i had to pick six words to describe this movie , they would be , ` too busy , too silly , no mystery . '", "it is an understatement to say that the movie is a disappointment ; it is the disappointment of the millennium .", "wait till it 's out on video . then borrow it .", "overwhelmed by digital effects and watered down for children ... the narrative structure is just awful", "the visual imagery comes off the screen in leaps and bounds , and it allows lucas the freedom to construct intricately detailed action sequences that put the audience right in the action .", "an often deliriously exciting adventure , hitting the target audience of 10-year olds and satisfying long-time fans .", "it 's a scam .", "as a film it 's a warmed over , albeit technically superior , rehash of sights and concepts we 've seen before .", "... not in the same league as the original star wars . but , then , it was never meant to be .", "it 's not perfect ... but it 's still fantastic .", "the phantom menace opened to the exact same complaints as its now canonical predecessor . only this time , its very real assets have been almost completely dismissed .", "packed with creative characters and breath-taking action sequences !", "let the movie speak to the child inside you -- the child that is still optimistic and that still believes in magic .", "it sustains the gee-whiz spirit of the series and offers a swashbuckling extragalactic getaway , creating illusions that are even more plausible than the kitchen-raiding raptors of jurassic park .", "who would have guessed that the phantom menace would be so incoherent , so completely bereft of a grand adventure 's surging thrills ?", "story . character . they used to mean something to george lucas .", "the phantom menace is , at best and worst , a mediocre film-a boring adventure undermined by anemic political theatrics and the rusty artistic tastes of its maker .", "this film has a strange air of nada about it .", "eye candy is n't a reward in and of itself -- it has to be backed by substance .", "being amazed has never been this boring .", "joyless , overly reverential and impenetrably plotted !", "everything seems to have been doubled .", "we do n't want to remember it 's pretty bad . then we do .", "anyone hoping the 3d would make-up for the film 's many shortcomings , will probably continue to feel cheated by the first star wars prequel .", "the force may not be strong in this episode , but it 's there .", "this is just another 3d cash grab by george lucas . if you did n't like the film before , you wo n't like the film now .", "it 's a nifty enough film that 's entertaining but not comparable to the original ` star wars . '", "darth maul is back , this time waving his wand in 3d . `` star wars episode i : the phantom menace '' was poorly received by critics when it debuted , so does it fare any better with its new up-conversion ? not really . paul chambers , cnn .", "it hardly needs to be said that the 3d conversion here is nothing more than proficient , that it adds nothing and actually takes away some of the clarity and vividness of the film 's varied colour palette .", "has a film director ever induced such terrible performances from such great actors ? liam neeson - wooden , ewan mcgregor - monotone and the oscar winning natalie portman - a speaking alarm clock !", "the phantom menace proves that lucas still knows how to capture the imagination of young and old .", "a very pleasing technical accomplishment .", "though i 've been bored senseless by the star wars phenomenon for over two decades , i found the phantom menace something of a pleasant surprise .", "a testimony to how far special effects have come .", "a great work from a greater director , and a blockbuster of quite the most swashbuckling kind .", "there is a sense of discovery in scene after scene of the phantom menace .", "spectacular yet remote .", "a terrific piece of visual entertainment !", "the story was well told , the characters were for the most part nicely drawn , and the action was phenomenal .", "quite uninteresting in its stale moments , the `` menace '' soars from time to time .", "flawed as it is , the phantom menace captured my imagination and i enjoyed it .", "is it fun ? for the most part , yes . is it a life-changing experience ? only if you reach puberty , give birth or die while watching it .", "it 's a frenetic visual feast indeed ; there 's nothing quite like it in the galaxy .", "it works as an action flick , visually eye-popping and often paralyzingly exciting ; it also works as an elicitor of memories , a piece of exquisite nostalgia .", "a film that not only could n't stand up to the hype monster , but also could n't stand up to multiple viewings .", "deeply flawed and occasionally inept , the phantom menace strikes me as no better -- but not necessarily lessor -- than any of the previous star wars movies .", "not a great film , but it is magical and majestic .", "not only is it a fanciful phenomenon but it 's also the most eye-popping spectacular special-effects picture ever made as george lucas integrates the fantasy of computer imagery with reality .", "i ca n't convey the essence of the plot because i was n't clear about it even as it was happening .", "by purporting to be yet-another-episode in a larger saga it has franchised itself , a thought that is sure to get the critical bile rising", "there is nothing in this noisy , overdesigned bore to equal the excitement generated by the mere idea of the trailer .", "it 's got everything you 've hoped for -- in gigabytes .", "the john williams score is dynamite , the sound is brilliant , the pictures are richly detailed and ferociously eye-popping !", "was i disappointed ? a little . am i going to see it again ? yes . two more times ? probably .", "this entry into the star wars saga does the originals justice in terms of heart , action , and fun .", "i wish phantom menace was a better film . the bones of a great film are there . but there 's no beating the sense of hope and adventure and honest-to-goodness wonder that shines through .", "the special effects are as awesome as you would expect , and this is an extremely slick production .", "spectacular fun !", "lucas has gotten rusty , and it shows in quite a few places . but he still has the heart of a visionary , and when that shines through , the phantom menace is a wonder to behold .", "it 's wholesome and enjoyable entertainment for kids , rather than the slap in the face a truly bad movie would have been , but the fans deserve more .", "this is a film made for the fans . on that level , it does n't disappoint .", "like a giant anchor in a sea of scattered hollywood myths , phantom menace -- the mere making of it -- promises viewers a point of reference of biblical proportions .", "there 's plenty to look at !", "the wow-factor action is irresistible , and lloyd is no less appealing than '60s disney star kevin corcoran !", "worth the wait , worth the trouble , worth all the noise !", "outstanding !", "exceptionally well-made , highly imaginative .", "a highly entertaining and visually breathtaking movie , capable at times of rocking and delighting you .", "the star wars series is back with all of its virtues intact .", "a vigorous , romping , hugely entertaining movie !", "it is n't the best in the series , but it delivers about what you would expect .", "decide for yourself .", "the special effects are something to see in 3d , but do n't listen too closely to the screenplay or try to work out who is who .", "oh george , why ?", "you 'll be surprised at how well its assets hold up and how much easier its liabilities slide away as a result . but $ 15 a ticket ? please george . some of us have kids to feed ... and yours do n't need the money .", "the 3d conversion is n't going to change your opinion on the movie or give you a whole new moviegoing experience , but it 's not bad either .", "you may never experience this or any star wars movie as a cinematic experience ever again . especially not in theater .", "naturally , if you already despise everything george lucas touches , well , these are n't the droids you 're looking for . it 's more of a 3d party for fans and admirers , playing to the convinced with a conversion .", "the phantom menace , in any number of dimensions , is an exercise in disappointment , a film filled with enough callbacks to the first trilogy to remind you about what you loved about them without adding much of note in all the new material .", "you realize how much humor harrison ford brought to things ; without him , at times the movie itself feels frozen in carbonite .", "`` star wars : episode 1 -- the phantom menace '' got dismissive reviews in 1999 , and it deserves the same today . but you probably know that .", "the 3d conversion on this film is one of the best i 've ever seen ... and that 's what makes it worth paying some extra money to see it again in the theater .", "phantom menace is unlikely to convince folks who waited in ticket lines for weeks that they made the right choice .", "at times this science-fiction adventure is thrilling , and it is also touching and even has its share of silly moments .", "star wars of the next generation !", "it 's an extremely enjoyable movie , blending imagination with technology and creating visual eye candy , wrapped up in a lightweight but enjoyable story .", "more shrewd showman than a great filmmaker , lucas employs these effects to create a total fantasy universe .", "-lsb- lucas -rsb- ought to spend more time on story and less time crunching binaries .", "lucas has proved he has the naboos to pull it off again .", "visually dazzling , inventive beyond imagining and full of resonant detail that recalls stories told or hints at those to come !", "an old-fashioned epic and like epics of yore it supplies its audiences with enough spectacle and awe .", "delivers exactly what every kid of any age wants : wows . and plenty of them !", "pure adventure !", "thoroughly entertaining !", "this star wars engages by its sheer variety of characters !", "lucas has packed it with a carnival of amusing new characters and new versions of old ones .", "the perfect movie for families !", "i warn you , i 'm gon na continue whining about the movie . just keep in mind that i liked it .", "incomplete , but still fun .", "the only plus point is introducing newbies to the big-screen star wars experience - if the 3d price is right for you .", "still unsure of the basic mechanics of the plot , drags in places and that binks chap was n't just a bad dream , but when it soars , it soars .", "a pop-culture calamity , a soulless , passionless film whose only real effect was to smudge the happy memories of the three originals .", "for the most part , the sludgy re-processing of the original leaves everything looking as if it was lensed through a wet , worn sock . only one sequence -- the epic pod race on the planet tatooine -- goes close to making any worthwhile use of the 3d format", "the phantom menace 's fleeting pleasures are n't even table scraps to my inner child .", "the under-utilised 3d adds little to this prequel , which only serves as a sore reminder of the brilliance of the original films .", "the added visual depth does little to disguise quite how flat everything in between is .", "i will say this : the time and money they spent working on this post-conversion is evident in the final result . it is technically very impressive .", "it 's difficult to discern precisely where this all went wrong , and even more difficult to speculate about possible improvements .", "kid-centric but violent prequel lacks energy of originals .", "even without the pre-release hoopla , the phantom menace would be a considerable letdown !", "still , you have to see it , do n't you ? i know i did , and i 'm glad i did . but i can honestly say i was never really entertained .", "this time , the force was n't with him .", "the result is an adventure that feels ... well , forced .", "story . character . they used to mean something to george lucas .", "star wars : episode i -- the phantom menace seems designed more as a promotion for lucasfilm 's billion-dollar merchandising concerns than a meaningful chapter in the star wars canon .", "too busy and talky by half , overpopulated by a baffling array of aliens and robot ` droids , ' the phantom menace fails to engage the audience in its mythic quest ` to restore balance to the force . '", "the end result looks like a great video game , but is as cold and emotionless as the computers that spit it out .", "perfecto ejemplo de c\u00f3mo la imaginaci\u00f3n puede traspasar fronteras y edades", "a feast for the eyes and ears !", "i 'd have to say it 's a better picture than return of the jedi while falling into the same third-act trap of juxtaposing a terrific swordfight with boring , slapstick scenes of combat .", "only time will tell if this movie deserves to be connected to the last three episodes , or , for that matter , if the final three episodes deserve to be connected to this one .", "this movie is a perfect example of why the word ` eye-candy ' was invented .", "i 'm glad i saw this movie . you 'll be glad you did too . it 's an amazing adventure into technology and glitz .", "far from a shattering blow to my faith in star wars , i believe that in time these new films will only make it stronger .", "finally someone has crossed the line where reality and fantasy are indistinguishable !", "lucas has made a deal with the devil , trading strong characterization and narrative for visual indulgence and verbal convolution .", "the phantom menace takes twists and turns you do n't expect .", "the horror of jar jar binks aside , there 's plenty in episode i to keep us entertained .", "the visuals are indeed eye-popping , but i was left with no vested emotional tie to either story or characters .", "charmless , sexless , passionless and robot-humoured , it 's preposterously uninvolving .", "it 's still a galaxy far , far away , and it still looks like nothing we 've ever seen before .", "episode one lacks a lot of the heart the original series embraced .", "is it ironic or just par for the course that the most technologically radical fx film ever made would also be the most egregiously regressive blockbuster imaginable ?", "clearly there is something wrong with a film , when the loudest applause occurs as the curtain goes up , in anticipation of , rather than response to , what is being seen .", "the special effects are some of the most dazzling and amazing ever seen on the big screen . in addition , the acting is excellent .", "despite a shaky start and the presence of questionable elements throughout , by the time it arrives at its finale the phantom menace has won its place alongside the original star wars trilogy .", "it 's good to have star wars -- any star wars -- back after such a long time ; and it 's worth seeing .", "after waiting 16 years for the overture to this epic saga , this is what we get ? an in-progress trade war ?", "the line readings of portman and lloyd are often flat , or flat-out wrong !", "this pumped-up prequel is an essential history lesson fueled by a numbing sense of magic and myth .", "the force is gone and george lucas apparently has no idea where he left it !", "this is n't so much a movie as a two-hour special-effects demonstration reel .", "the biggest letdown since the clinton presidency !", "even without aliens , though , the humanity in phantom menace would still be hard to find .", "a solar bore !", "this is a franchise in deep spiritual trouble !", "perhaps lucas has become too lost in his mastery of computer-generated effects and digital sound to remember that creativity in the movies is not just a technical thing .", "it is neither captivating nor transporting , for it lacks any emotional pull , as well as the sense of wonder and awe that marks the best works of sci-fi/fantasy ." ], "summary": "lucas needs to improve on the plot and character development , but there 's plenty of eye candy to behold .", "id": "10008" }, { "movie": "superman_iii", "reviews": [ "now retooling the superman series into middleweight comedy , the script feels written for no one above the age of twelve . as a production it looks cheaply made and thrown together . worse , this is a mean-spirited piece of work .", "enjoyable , nevertheless .", "putting its emphasis on broad comedy at the expense of ingenious plotting and technical wizardry , it has virtually none of the mythic or cosmic sensibility that marked its predecessors .", "outdated superhero movie may interest older kids .", "a noticeable drop in quality from the first two , but it 's still decent enough that you do n't have to be embarrassed for liking it . that comes soon enough ...", "superman is thrown in to the mix somewhere . but he 's merely an after thought , and a supporting player in his own film .", "reeve continues his traditions of graceful flying moves , confident carriage , and twinkly warmth . sadly , none of it is enough to save MOV from being at home only in a junkyard .", "` superman contra os avan\u0437os da tecnologia ' . uma id\u0439ia cuja estupidez s\u0443 \u0439 superada por sua p\u0439ssima execu\u0437\u0433o .", "apparently , richard lester 's intent was to turn superman into a joke . a really bad joke .", "richard lester 's direction injects nothing new into the material , giving the feeling that he views the whole thing as an exercise in comedy set pieces .", "wheezy and cheap", "... one of history 's most infamous cautionary tales about the dangers of computers , and ... also one of the silliest .", "when you need someone to reverse-engineer an unknown chemical substance , richard pryor is actually a pretty good pick .", "superman fights a super computer with a mind of its own .", "anyone who has been following the superman saga will find this installment enjoyable enough , but some of the magic is missing .", "super disappointment w/pryor comedy emphasis a cosmic mistake", "it 's a cinematic comic book , shallow , silly , filled with stunts and action , without much human interest .", "pryor is wasted but the image of a bad superman , and his battle with his good side , is memorable .", "hey , it ai n't that bad !", "one of the most underrated movies of all time . seriously .", "a silly and dull continuation of the series . lois lane nowhere to be found . pryor provides scarce laughs . the externalization of superman 's inner struggle mildly interesting .", "a wonderful chaplinesque opening scene followed by two hours of pure dog **** .", "not bad . fun bizarro scenes and the clark/superman fight rules .", "oy . that 's all . just ` oy . '", "slow and uninspired .", "among the worst in the series .", "there was a day when richard lester was a great filmmaker . it was before this .", "better known as : ` when superman started to suck . '" ], "summary": "when not overusing sight gags , slapstick , and richard pryor , MOV resorts to plot points rehashed from the previous superman flicks .", "id": "12037" }, { "movie": "the_worlds_end", "reviews": [ "the most inventive , humane comedy in ages , probably the best-directed action film of the summer , and easily the most intelligent science-fiction story in a year lousy with the things .", "simon pegg is a funny man who can make any movie better with his performance , but not this one .", "a rollicking entertainment , boasting some terrific -lrb- and terrifically unexpected -rrb- plot twists , a bunch of laugh-out-loud gags and clever action set-pieces .", "let 's hope this crew from the uk continues to stand up against the starbucking of movies .", "i 'd estimate that 75 % of the world 's end is enjoyable . the other 25 % is n't bad , just repetitive .", "the early going of the film is terrific ... this material is so strong that it 's almost a shame when the science fiction angle takes over .", "pegg 's character is obnoxious yet strangely charming , sort of like the movie , which ultimately provides more smiles than big laughs .", "but even with its flaws , the world 's end serves up a wild plot , a boisterously engaging ensemble , and a sincere exploration of what friendship is .", "wright/frost/pegg present a screwball sci-fi comedy", "the most grown-up film of the trilogy . ... instead of giving us characters who find happiness by rediscovering their youth , they show us the folly of resisting adulthood .", "a serious misfire , unfunny , unexciting , uninvolving and , perhaps the worst sin of all , incredibly self-indulgent to the detriment of the audience 's enjoyment .", "some inner logic may not hold up under the sober light of day , but this unusual action-comedy has the loosey-goosey feel of something that ca n't miss , like a soused round of bar pool .", "this movie is n't just smart , it 's also wise .", "pegg and wright 's movies laugh , bleed and explode in the face of maturity , even as they begrudgingly recognize the virtue of it .", "it 's about as much fun as you 'll have at a movie this summer , especially if you see it at one of those theaters that serve beer .", "far from pining for their glory days , wright and company are living them now . the world 's end looks , despite its title , like just the beginning for all involved .", "even for its flaws , it is hard to ask for more from a late summer movie than `` the world 's end . ''", "it 's a little too close to `` shaun of the dead '' -lrb- and to wright 's `` scott pilgrim vs. the world '' -rrb- in its structure and gags , and while there are plenty of laughs , you wish they were bigger ones , particularly in the beginning .", "so fun and so funny .", "you can go home again . but it 's going to involve a lot of drinking .", "coming at the end of a summer at the movies that 's been apocalyptic in both theme and quality , the world 's end feels timely and refreshing .", "who else but the brits would make their action heroes a bunch of complete losers ?", "even though some of the jokes are starting to wear a little thin , it 's testament to the enduring popularity of the series ' central trio that this third installment ticks so many boxes without bringing anything new to the table .", "after shaun of the dead and hot fuzz , pegg and wright conclude their so-called cornetto trilogy with yet another riotously inspired exploration of british culture : the pub crawl .", "edgar wright/simon pegg/nick frost have become a comedy brand to rival richard curtis/hugh grant . they 've done it by making comedies with real laughs .", "is n't as wacky as ` shaun of the dead ' or ` hot fuzz , ' but it 's amusing enough to please their many fans and plenty of others besides .", "classic sci-fi tropes blend with rambunctious fight choreography along with a witty and touching story about letting go of the past while fighting for the now .", "a bittersweet , marvelously effective end of a certain goofy era , when friends banding together were enough to save the world .", "this is a tighter , smarter film than either ` shaun of the dead ' or ` hot fuzz ' , and buried beneath all the blue-goo aliens and terrible punning is a heartfelt meditation on the perils and pleasures of nostalgia .", "i refuse to call it a trilogy ... i hope they end up with at least as many in the series as there are flavors of cornetto ice cream treats .", "if you 're part of the group that 's been anticipating this movie for more than five years , it may be a bit of a letdown .", "it 's definitely a cornetto , but certainly not the best flavour .", "says the rosamund pike character : ` you come back -lrb- home -rrb- , and everything is the same , but different . ' the science-fiction element of the story , when it appears , offers a clever literal explanation for this unsettling , uncanny feeling .", "the first 30 minutes had me hooked but when it turned into an over-the-top mashup of a sci-fi alien invasion flick you lost me , guys . geeks will flock but so what ?", "does n't quite live up to its immediate predecessor , hot fuzz , but handily bests the first film , shaun of the dead .", "the world 's end is classic british comedy : it 's anarchy versus conformity with conformity never standing a chance .", "the film 's strength is its comedic bent - there are some very funny moments contained herein .", "what if john wyndham decided to write a comedy ?", "wright & pegg continue making the sort of films that the 12-year-old versions of themselves probably always dreamed of being a part of ; that sense of joy and practically disbelief that they actually get to do this for a living is right up there on-screen .", "pegg is at his manic best here , presenting gary 's arrested adolescence as a badge of honor , while also hiding a sad secret that explains his fierce determination to finish the pub crawl even as the robots turn lethal .", "the cornetto trilogy deserves to be studied in schools for many reasons , and the world 's end does n't let the team down .", "a fantastic ensemble farce that shows why nobody does comedy like the brits .", "in an ironic twist , this time it 's the everyday that proves more involving and amusing than the film 's shaky detour into the extraordinary .", "edgar wright 's finale to the cornetto trilogy 's the world 's end is finally upon us and it 's a suitably poetic and conclusive last call for simon pegg and nick frost 's ` man-child ' dynamic duo .", "the weakest film in the three , which is a disappointing way to wrap up a trilogy , but once it stumbles past its lumbering first act it warms up considerably .", "the crazy scenario provides an opportunity for simon pegg , nick frost and the rest of the cast to showcase their comedic talents .", "proudly wears science fiction influences on its sleeve , and has a ball doing it , but the personal character journey inward expertly trumps any lip service to a specific genre", "a brilliantly bonkers take on alien invasion sci-fi films ... wright and pegg serve up some glorious gags , fizzing action scenes and cannily timed surprises .", "there 's a wonderful zany energy about this offbeat comedy from the shaun of the dead and hot fuzz team whose exposition relies on a winning combination of character , ideas and execution . it may not sizzle , but the film is great", "they work through some of the comedy material worked into the screenplay , which relies on a few crazy twists and high range sci-fi-based fantasy", "it manages to play as much like an ode to kooky alien invasion thrillers as it does to the joys of getting plastered with friends .", "maybe fashioning it as a trilogy with `` shaun '' and `` hot fuzz '' was n't a great idea since it leads to comparisons it ca n't possibly live up to being such a different movie .", "life 's too short to waste your time on this , even if the end is n't near .", "-lsb- t -rsb- he real surprise of the world 's end is the wounded heart beating underneath the gags .", "let 's hope wright , pegg and frost concoct more wild doomsday scenarios together . their work makes for a good time at the movies ...", "this is cheeky british irreverence at its best , and there 's even a bit of meaning and moral behind it all if you can see through the laughter .", "although its humor is not for all tastes , no one can say this crazy picture does n't have the guts to live up to its title .", "it overflows with middle-aged angst over lost youth . and laments the generic nature of our corporate-driven culture .", "`` world 's end '' had me feeling like a grumpy interloper at someone else 's raucous reunion .", "wright and pegg now sry their sights on the subject of nostalgic obsession itself .", "not as funny as their previous efforts but this is probably edgar wright , simon pegg and nick frost 's most confident and well-conceived film yet .", "between these films and `` scott pilgrim versus the world , '' wright has become very deft at using genre conventions to illustrate the human comedy while still giving his audience a ripping good time .", "for edgar wright/simon pegg/nick frost fans , i suppose this silly , stylized , slapstick british romp is a ridiculously amusing , apocalyptic riff .", "this is by light-years the most entertaining movie of the year . how many apocalyptic sci-fi action extravaganzas leave you feeling as if the world is just beginning ?", "the movie is all about the set-up - something that becomes a crutch disguised as a narrative tic as the story unfolds .", "once again , wright 's direction is wonderfully playful and energetic , and the script he and pegg have contrived is full of surprises .", "the laddish pleasures of the world 's end , edgar wright 's comedy about a group of middle-aged guys drinking beer and facing mortality , come with a bittersweet edge .", "the world 's end might be the best time you 'll have at the movies all year . it is a complete blast : urgently paced , hilariously clever and blisteringly profane .", "`` the world 's end '' one of those bittersweet coming-home films that show how difficult it is to really , well , go home . because it 's never the same .", "as a beer-lover might put it , an experience that 's both heady and effervescent", "a remarkable , thoughtful comedy with memorable characters and striking action sequences .", "... may not be as funny or inventive as its trailblazing predecessors , but it still has enough of the good stuff to put most big-budget hollywood comedies to shame . -lrb- video review -rrb-", "an ordinary drama embellished and in some sense infringed on by genre elements rather than the other way around .", "as in their previous comedies , pegg and frost play men who refuse to stop acting like boys . but these pint-swilling peter pans also know how to work the heart and the brain for belly laughs .", "the world 's ends ultimately succeeds where its protagonists fail , proving it 's possible to grow up without getting old .", "the gonzo side of the plot is not quite as engaging as the human drama , and the scenes in which the characters meet up and try to mesh again are some of the best in the film .", "if wright does n't quite sustain this astonishing mixture of sadness and silliness all the way through , he gets major points just for attempting it in the first place .", "regrettably , the cornetto trilogy goes out with a whimper .", "director edgar wright is as brilliant as ever ...", "you might want to have a beer after you see ` the world 's end , ' the latest from the creative team of simon pegg , nick frost and edgar wright .", "retaining the hilarious chaos and offhand hipness expected of mssrs . wright , pegg and frost , the world 's end does n't quite spark with shaun of the dead 's audacious freshness , but is great fun and a definite improvement over the fizz-free hot fuzz .", "the first part of the movie is so good -- so knowing and funny and raucous and even bittersweet in its depiction of male arrested development -- that all the sci-fi silliness that runs rampant in the second part feels derivative and unnecessary", "to me , it is not quite up to the level of their previous films -lrb- ` shaun of the dead ' and ` hot fuzz ' -rrb- but it is still good enough to recommend .", "this inspired nutball comedy is like its heroes on their mission : it just gets progressively more nuts , more blotto .", "wright knows how to keep the energy spinning , but he also does n't know when to stop .", "obvious nods to old sci-fi gems ... also enter the crowded picture , which falls short of perfection only during a prolonged last few minutes when the gang bravely reaches beyond formula .", "... one of the most entertaining movies to have come out this summer .", "do n't feel excluded if you have n't seen the zombie comedy shaun of the dead and the buddy cop comedy hot fuzz ... because the world 's end stands on its own as hilarious high-end nonsense .", "gets things all wrong , its sarcastic humor more often than not limp and its play for drama tone-deaf and overbearing when a lighter touch might have made a greater impact .", "seriously , what 's not to like ?", "i pretty much unreservedly loved the world 's end , whose compact dramatic structure and steady flow of good jokes puts most mainstream american comedies-too often loosely bundled collections of hit-or-miss sketches-to shame .", "the movie shifts midstream ... and never regains its footing .", "`` the world 's end '' mines humor from the prospect of hapless , decidedly unsober fellows confronted with the potential end of life as we know it . when the movie is funny , it 's very funny ...", "if you loved shaun and hot fuzz , do n't hesitate . you need some affection for men who are having problems growing up , perhaps .", "its humor is a little more uncomfortable than that of the other cornetto flicks , and it 's more far satirical , in a far more cynical way , than i ever would have anticipated .", "a very funny closing chapter to the blood and ice cream trilogy , the world 's end is more than satisfying . it 's hilarious , action-packed and has more one liners than you can shake a pool cue at .", "wright directs with typical energy and effectively papers over an absence of plot .", "side-splittingly hilarious , the world 's end deftly balances its character work with lashings of comedy and impressive action sequences .", "in its role as a comedy of ideas as well as gags , the world 's end places the blame on a force more sinister even than globalisation .", "for all its flaws , the world 's end is fun . it 's not as appealing as shaun of the dead , but i preferred it to hot fuzz .", "it 's all i can do to stop myself from mentioning lesbian vampire killers . -lrb- oops ! too late . -rrb-", "the film is witless , inspirationless and flogs its few recurring jokes till they whimper .", "sharply directed and superbly acted , this is a hugely entertaining and frequently hilarious sci-fi comedy that stands as a worthy addition to shaun of the dead and hot fuzz in the so-called cornetto trilogy .", "the movie stands out for two reasons : simon pegg is hilarious and edgar wright directs with flair .", "agreeably zany .", "wright and pegg 's rickety and ridiculous mash-up of narrative elements is actually a sophisticated attempt to grapple with real emotions and ideas .", "the movie throws itself headlong toward the ridiculous when it begins to live up to its title .", "after briefly catching comic lightning , the fun fades . actor-screenwriter simon pegg and director-screenwriter edgar wright paint their characters into a pub corner .", "the film starts off with the best of intentions and ends like an epic pub crawl usually does . no hangover , though - it 's a good time in retrospect .", "the only way to make the world 's end any better would be to actually see it in a theater that serves beer .", "it 's an improbable combination that is very funny and shamelessly alcoholic , and evokes -- somewhere in the slurred collapse of its characters -- a fond nostalgia for the good old days .", "here 's the movie that invites man-children everywhere , both out and closeted , to relax : it feels your pain .", "as a film whose central theme emphasizes the dangers of living in the past , wright & co. become fatally distracted by nostalgia , eventually paying too much homage to previous classics to create a film that deserves to stand alongside them .", "wright and co. have produced another excellent comedy that , although it falls a little short of their previous two films , still delivers all the laughs that we 've come to expect from the trio .", "wright 's terrifically precise approach to comedy remains as well-honed as ever .", "most of the credit belongs to wright , whose chaotic style belies the film 's meticulous construction .", "a rare film that 's as much fun as you 've heard .", "besides closing on a downbeat final note - as opposed to shaun and fuzz 's ebullient endings - this is a good old time at the movies , the kind only a born filmmaker can provide .", "a little too long , perhaps , but highly amusing , and handsomely photographed -lrb- bill pope -rrb- and designed -lrb- marcus rowland -rrb- .", "though hilarious in parts , and heartwarming in others , the world 's end has the great misfortune of simply being branded as a `` fun '' comedy , and one that is sadly unlikely to amount to being too much more than that .", "` the world 's end ' is really about the dangers of nostalgia and how you can never truly go home again , even if there has n't been an alien invasion .", "with a ton of heart , sentimentality , and a huge emphasis on friendship , the world 's end puts a spin on the imperfections all humans have and delivers a film that is near perfect because of it .", "the funniest movie of 2013", "it 's the least of pegg and wright 's three creative collaborations , but nonetheless diverting for those tuned to its hyper-pop-culture wavelength .", "`` the world 's end '' , albeit borrowing somewhat from past movies , is as original as it is funny .", "a delightfully original premise for a laugh-out-loud movie .", "wright is n't a subtle filmmaker -- but he is a joyful one . who would n't drink to that ?", "there 's not much more you can ask from a movie like this . it 's a rare drinking comedy that does n't require you to be drunk to enjoy it .", "hilarious , wistful and eventually bizarre ...", "if you have n't succumbed to movie tmi about world 's end , stop reading now , go see this smart and hilarious comedy about the double-edged sword called nostalgia , and read my review later .", "even while tackling sensitive issues such as alcoholism , bullying , and the consequences of nonconformity , pegg and wright never take themselves or their characters too seriously .", "if someone turned `` 99 bottles of beer on the wall '' into a movie , it might look like `` the world 's end . '' if you added killer robots .", "an arrested-development comedy that develops into something else altogether .", "`` the world 's end '' has the aura - and this might only be an attractive illusion - of something imagined whole , in a burst of inspiration , rather than as something labored over .", "i enjoyed the playfulness of its actors and edgar wright 's direction ... -lrb- but -rrb- at nearly two hours , the movie gets long and belabored for a lightweight comedy that does n't have much of gravitas to say .", "to my surprise , a diamond has emerged from the gutter . its name is the world 's end , and it 'll knock you on you ass from laughing when you 're not rubbing your eyes in disbelief .", "capping a summer movie season when humanity was practically extinct every other weekend , wright gives armageddon a funnier name than even this is the end did .", "the team behind shaun of the dead and hot fuzz smash out another twisted gem : a boozy buddy movie with a big twist .", "the world 's end calls time with action , laughs and an apocalyptic pub crawl .", "by turns trashy , poignant and gut-bustingly funny , and often all three at once .", "the armageddon-through-beer-goggles approach brings the chuckles , but the world 's end stands up as a great example of the genre it ribs .", "though it does n't have the smarts of shaun of the dead or the outlandish humour of hot fuzz , the world 's end provides an explosive climax to the loosely-linked ` three flavours cornetto ' series .", "the film is as funny and original as wright and pegg 's previous efforts , even if time and familiarity with the pair 's comedy stylings has rendered it not quite as fresh .", "the chemistry between pegg and frost still fizzes , but at the same time , pegg -lrb- who co-wrote the script -rrb- has created a character in gary king who is one-note - always turned up to eleven .", "at once a big chill-style old-pal reunion story and an invasion of the body snatchers homage doused in beer and bad-boy humor ...", "edgar wright has a sure hand and a terrific filmic knowledge , and he and simon pegg have again crafted a script that goes back to the bare essentials of friendship in the face of adversity .", "the latest highly enjoyable exercise in jaunty pastiche from writer-director edgar wright and writer-thesp simon pegg , the brains behind `` shaun of the dead , '' and `` hot fuzz . ''", "as in real life , what is hilarious laddish behaviour to some will be annoyingly immature to other viewers . but the ford granada is perfect .", "like his earlier films , wright refuses to rest on mere genre convention", "there are layers upon layers here , all guaranteed to make you laugh and maybe even make you feel a feeling .", "the comedy trio returns in a lesser effort , funny , but not up to their previous successes .", "... turns from anti-buddy comedy to classically british small-village science fiction paranoia .", "a story that is at once a sly commentary on relationships , a bittersweet contemplation on the fleeting nature of youth , and a devastating satire on cultural imperialism", "for all their horsing around , the truth is wright is an accomplished filmmaker who embeds story in the very mechanics of cinema .", "the world 's end , weighed down by ineffective , incoherent fight sequences and a repetitive second half , ultimately establishes itself as just another bloated and overblown summer blockbuster ...", "far from the crowning conclusion , the third serving of the cornetto trilogy melts slowly for 109 minutes , resolving into a gooey , sticky mess .", "it 's too long , and the ending is curious , but the overall combo of serious themes and ridiculous situations is a joy to witness .", "it 's outrageous satire , bruisingly funny slapstick and - while never too snooty to stoop for lowdown laughs - deliciously smart besides .", "think of it as the best exotic marigold hotel with middle-aged men in english pubs with aliens , robots and a lot more drinking .", "pegg gives a fantastic , no-holds-barred performance here , arguably the best of his career . -lrb- full parental review also available -rrb-", "there are times when i 'd kill for a pint , but i do n't think i 've ever been ready to die for one . that , however , is the situation faced by gary king -lrb- simon pegg -rrb- in the hilarious pub-crawl-meets-apocalypse that is the world 's end .", "`` the world 's end '' is more like an antic sugar high than a reeling , drunken stupor . there are no headaches , dry mouth or crushing shame at the end - no `` hangover , '' in other words . i 'll drink to that .", "`` the world 's end '' is more frantic than funny , but it 's still funny enough-just-to outweigh its own silliness .", "`` world 's end '' is easy to relate to , but it 's the guys and the clever/silly script that make it so much fun .", "simon pegg is on fire here , giving a truly balls-to-the-wall performance as gary . it 's his best ever , especially as he partakes in an all out bar brawl without spilling a drop of his pint", "the movie independently bungles everything it tries , like a central park busker who simultaneously sucks at juggling , harmonica playing and skateboarding .", "a movie that will unexpectedly challenge your expectations in some of the funniest ways you can imagine .", "there 's pun-laden dialogue and slapstick violence aplenty , but the meta element feels sloppy .", "it 's high old fun , though it plays as a bit too much of a rehash of pegg and wright 's shaun of the dead .", "it 's fine in its way , a fond and silly salute to pub crawls , old friends , crap cars , roundabouts , british eccentricity and keeping your head in a crisis -- it 's just terribly hit-and-miss .", "pegg gives arguably his best performance in the three films , and his chemistry with frost is unbeatable .", "a full package of entertainment .", "maybe it is time to move on from the genre mash-up , but this is a thundering way to go out .", "though darker and in many ways more cavalier than either of its predecessors , the third time is most certainly an ambitious , uproarious , insane , bromantic charm .", "i went into the world 's end hoping for the best , but the best i could summon up after about two hours were some encouraging smiles .", "bravely refusing to rigidly adhere to a formula that has been so successful , wright , pegg and frost 's cornetto trilogy closer has tonal shifts you wo n't expect , but the same beating heart you 've been craving .", "wright uses what he learned on scott pilgrim to further his long-standing ability to craft genre comedies that are adept at both the comedic aspects and capturing the crowd-pleasing conventions of the genre with which the comedy is combined .", "wright is one of the most original and energetic filmmakers out there , and paired with pegg and frost 's expert rapport and a highly charismatic cast , there is no limit to what the team can tackle .", "the world 's end is out to give its audience a good time , which the cast seems to be having from start to finish .", "very funny !", "yes , the world 's end is funny and fun , and yes it will make you want to go get blasted at a traditional pub . but , like all the best science fiction , it also has a lot to say about humanity and who we are and how we screw up .", "fantastically funny , weird film has violence , alcohol , more .", "it has resonance-the violence and destruction addresses the questions that bedevil every maudlin old drinker . why is every town getting to look the same ? why do formerly fun-loving friends become dour middle-aged middle-managers ?", "robert frost famously mused ` some say the world will end in fire/some say in ice . ' i prefer edgar wright 's vision : it will end in a pub .", "funny but not end-of-the-world funny .", "like ghostbusters , takes a plot that keeps one-upping its own ridiculousness and grounds it with a cast of talented actors who commit to the material 1000 % , reacting honestly to the preposterousness around them without jumping outside the text .", "a fat , juicy cherry on top of a memorably madcap trilogy .", "the world 's end is n't as unique as pegg and wright 's prior ` cornetto ' entries but it 's still a solid film that should satisfy returning series fans and comedy lovers .", "like many reunions , `` the world 's end '' is based on memories of past glories , when all of this seemed a little more fresh . still , it 's nice to see the old gang back together .", "the world 's end is gruesomely gooey and wonderfully clever without skimping on real three-dimensional characters .", "it 's the nerd-dream technological singularity turned into a logistical nightmare , where free will is diametrically opposed to the next stage of our evolution .", "wright still cuts his footage with a youthful vigor , capturing every tapped pint of lager with a snappy hiss , but his players -lrb- especially frost and pegg -rrb- are ready to go darker .", "... wright , pegg , and frost turn the world 's end into a classic comedy with enough depth to defy even the most massive expectations .", "... for much of the movie i was prepared to say that the world 's end was easily the best of the wright/pegg/frost collaborations . but then came that ending .", "the movie never makes fun of geek tropes , but it does indulge in rapid-fire pop culture allusions that go so bloody fast you need to see it twice to catch them all .", "amusing and impeccably designed and photographed , the latest work from wright , pegg , and frost comes across a tad undercooked , as though the creative team was backed into making a movie instead of triumphantly mounting one .", "a sudsy victory lap for team `` shaun of the dead . '' damned witty .", "riffing on a wide variety of science fiction classics such as invasion of the body snatchers -lrb- 1956 -rrb- and invasion of the body snatchers -lrb- 1978 -rrb- , director edgar wright keeps the laughs and the left turns coming .", "the movie is madly , wonderfully at odds with itself .", "the world does n't end with a whimper , but with ingenious laughter , making this off-the-chart genre-bending comedy the funniest and most original movie of the summer .", "while it also suffers from a slow start and stretched premise , the charm of its stars getting wasted and debunking an intergalactic conspiracy goes a long way ." ], "summary": "madcap and heartfelt , edgar wright 's apocalypse comedy the world 's end benefits from the typically hilarious simon pegg and nick frost , with a plethora of supporting players .", "id": "770783489" }, { "movie": "overnight", "reviews": [ "it probably does n't appeal to its audience 's loftiest instincts , but it certainly is appealing : watching an eminently deserving egomaniac get his comeuppance .", "a hilarious and harrowing cautionary tale .", "cautionary tales about the pitfalls of indie filmmaking do n't come more searingly truthful or sober-minded than MOV .", "it exerts a certain train-wreck fascination .", "this documentary tells the story of troy duffy , a bartender in los angeles who became a minor celebrity when miramax offered him $ 1 million for a screenplay .", "a morbidly compelling cautionary tale about the negative side of instant sensation .", "it 's like watching a runaway train race down a mountain : we know that a crash is coming ; we just do n't know how many casualties there will be .", "if you 're curious , you can rent the boondock saints on video , without stirring the embers of duffy 's ego .", "in their rush to give duffy his comeuppance , the filmmakers barrel past their movie 's real potential , which could have been a blistering expos\u00e9 of hollywood 's bandwagon mentality .", "the story of the neither late nor great troy duffy would make the perfect film-school graduation gift .", "by the end of this cautionary tale , you feel like you 've seen a guy get a shot at the big time and end up nowhere , a fate he richly deserves .", "for whatever reasons -- rights issues , personal promises , fear of legal retaliation -- we only catch glimpses of some of the more important moments in this story .", "strikingly cautionary for anyone who thinks they 're entitled to fame and fortune .", "a quintessential cautionary tale , the documentary MOV also happens to be funnier than just about every comedy released last year .", "the film 's personal point of view does effectively put you in the shoes of the little guy in the hollywood machine , sitting by the phone , bewildered .", "funny and mean", "... plays out like an 82-minute attack on -lsb- troy duffy -rsb- by a couple of exceedingly bitter ex-colleagues .", "troy duffy might have truly deserved the hollywood blacklisting , but it 's tough to live down an indictment as thorough as MOV .", "MOV is horrifying and fascinating ... it should be required viewing in film schools and a cautionary tale for anyone aspiring to work in hollywood .", "as much a film about hollywood as it is about obsessive personalities , MOV achieves the dual feat of making us deeply dislike duffy while we still root for him .", "it 's an unacknowledged indictment of a system of agents , managers , hangers-on and production executives that automatically equates arrogance and bad-boy behavior with bottomless talent , no questions asked .", "the most fascinating aspect of MOV is that it actually lends the boondock saints a measure of depth .", "a diabolically enjoyable documentary on unearned self-esteem .", "in less than 90 minutes , MOV reveals as much about small-scale filmmaking as project greenlight does in the course of 13 hourlong episodes .", "MOV is a pungent documentary that details the awful , groping evanescence of hollywood buzz .", "highly entertaining , in a schadenfreude sense , but incomplete .", "MOV always holds our interest , not so much as a documentary as an episode of a junky reality tv show .", "for anyone who gets a kick out of watching car wrecks , you really ca n't do much better than this .", "fascinating stuff .", "a depressing look into the hollywood dream factory ... one that rightfully should turn off many who fantasize of becoming the next steven spielberg or david fincher", "even a slobodan like weinstein would find duffy 's feature-length monologue grim going .", "in answer to troy duffy 's question , `` who is this idiot jerry bruckheimer ? '' , he 's the guy opening national treasure opposite your spectacularly documented flameout .", "it 's a fascinating cautionary tale .", "the film would be painful to watch if its subject were n't such an insufferable lunkheaded egomaniac .", "duffy 's story is a potentially notable one , but this documentary 's amateur production values and the man 's grating personality make it not-so-enjoyable watching .", "tony montana and mark brian smith 's acidic , vitriolic takedown of duffy boasts the abrasive intensity of a migraine headache and the depth and scope of a bona fide american tragedy .", "-lsb- an -rsb- unflinching depiction of a would-be tarantino turning himself into chopped liver .", "a portrait of hollywood hubris extraordinaire .", "a compulsive , cautionary tale about a man whose self-trumpeted ` deep cesspool of creativity ' seems destined to remain undredged .", "for duffy , watching this film must be like seeing a scab peeled off", "the two directors take so much abuse from duffy throughout the film that you ca n't help but feel that MOV is their long-overdue revenge .", "the `` next quentin tarantino '' crashes and burns", "enjoyable because you get to see a huge ego and shameless publicist get his comeuppence .", "a disturbing , sad and blisteringly funny cautionary tale , i reckon this is the documentary of the year .", "a peek into the depths of hollywood , and human , behavior .", "the caustic cautionary tale of MOV success sabotaged by vanity and arrogance is perversely fascinating , to be sure , but blunt and ineloquent .", "even as a tragic hero , duffy 's a bully and a bore .", "the film 's practical lesson is that you should steer clear of dogfights unless yours is the biggest , meanest dog in the game .", "schadenfreude aside , what makes MOV so riveting is the absolute certainty of troy in his own destiny", "in the fascinating MOV , director/cinematographer mark brian smith chronicles this tragicomic arc as a cautionary tale for aspiring young filmmakers in the cultural kingdom .", "a lucky nobody who could n't appreciate a rare piece of good fortune ... and his final icy wakeup to puffed-up dreams . this is a study in just deserts .", "smith and montana 's film suffers , ironically , for being told from a point of view too inside the action .", "the film is brutally frank . only 81 minutes long , i found it entertaining , sometimes funny , but probably a fairly accurate depiction of how things can go in hollywood .", "this is the most lucid portrait of the over-exuberant go-go '90s .", "MOV is guiltily mesmerizing ; if it 's instructive at all , it 's as a cautionary tale of the fatality of lost perspective .", "several inside hollywood stories rolled into one .", "duffy is made into such a consistently awful person that you 're seduced into loathing him , even though it 's hard to believe he 's not putting us on .", "call it project red light .", "it 's a weirdly compelling , karma-threatening laugh at the expense of someone who got the beatdown he deserved .", "while the film follows duffy 's business disasters and blusterings , it never really offers much depth on either its central subject or his posse .", "it 's a tale of ambition run amok and blown opportunity that is not only fascinating but cautionary .", "a cautionary time excursion into another standard-issue rise and fall scenario , about making movies and recording albums .", "anyone who has ever spent five minutes dreaming about what it might be like to become a famous hollywood director will experience a heady sense of schadenfreude .", "MOV is the hard-to-watch story of a filmmaker/musician who is so unlikable that his ultimate failure seems like a happy ending .", "a must-see cautionary tale for those who dream of working in hollywood , and a barrel of laughs for anyone who already does .", "MOV works best as a simple illustration of a neo-hollywood axiom : you only get to act like harvey weinstein after you 've become harvey weinstein .", "watching a guy who thinks he can do no wrong behave badly for 82 minutes is tiresome .", "a funny , sad , and disturbing cautionary tale about the perils of instant success , the documentary MOV should be required viewing for any aspiring filmmaker .", "by the end of this movie , you 'll be sick of the sound of this guy 's voice .", "the latest entry in the ever-expanding harvey weinstein demonology , this jittery documentary is as raw as the filmmakers ' rattled nerves .", "if this documentary finds an audience i would n't be surprised to see duffy make a comeback as an actor , playing the heavy in low-budget action movies . he certainly gives a jaw-dropping performance here .", "so it 's a happy ending , then : the obnoxious creep gets smacked down in public . the trouble is , to get that warm feeling , you have to spend time with duffy .", "audiences may reasonably wonder why they 're being asked to spend time with duffy . it 's not an easy question to answer .", "a quintessential hollywood story that might have just as easily been called karma .", "-lsb- s -rsb- o perfect an example of well-earned comeuppance and karmic justice that if it were n't true , someone would have had to make it up ..." ], "summary": "this absorbing but wince-inducing documentary is a cautionary tale about the costs of hubris in the world of indie film .", "id": "14543" }, { "movie": "rabbit_hole", "reviews": [ "the movie is stingy with information and surprisingly generous with humor -lrb- which provides realism , and relief from the sadness -rrb- .", "MOV , directed with grace and surprising humor by john cameron mitchell , is a delicate tale that shares a great deal of the hurt of robert redford 's ordinary people .", "for all its sympathy and intelligence , MOV is ultimately too safe an experience for such a free-form tragedy .", "one of the best films of 2010 , MOV features a devastating performance by nicole kidman that would deserve every best actress prize on tap were it not for the presence of black swan 's natalie portman on the awards scene .", "john cameron mitchell directed , making an impressive detour in style and subject matter after his flamboyant shortbus and hedwig and the angry inch .", "mitchell keeps the direction simple and well-behaved , usually just pointing the camera at the speaker , but you can see why this topic appealed to him : all three of his films are about people in pain reaching -lrb- or lashing -rrb- out in different ways .", "if you 'd like to wallow in the exquisite suffering of the upper middle classes for 90 minutes this might be just the film for you .", "as heavy , stressful , relentlessly sad dramas go , this one goes quite well .", "grief may be the topic under examination , but humor -- incisive , observant and warm -- is the tool with which it 's dissected in MOV .", "although it is achingly sad , MOV is not maudlin or depressing .", "a tough , raw drama about wounds that heal only gradually , if at all .", "inherently engrossing as well as achingly authentic , powerfully moving and surprisingly funny at times .", "it 's not exactly full of holiday cheer . then again , perseverance can inspire and enlighten any time of the year .", "the perpetual look of utter despair on kidman 's face ... will stick with me , i think , for a very long time", "at times this intimate family drama makes you want to turn away as if you were eavesdropping or prying into the lives of two people whose loss is so palatable that you feel helpless in your inability to reach through the screen to comfort them .", "with its plinky mood music , `` MOV '' is maudlin and morbid and strictly for the `` 21 grams '' crowd .", "a movie about grief , pain , longing and disaster . happy holidays and feliz navidad !", "director john cameron mitchell allows the actors to rip into lindsay-abaire 's scenario and words ...", "a generally well-made if not always emotionally engaging drama with strong and believable performances from the leads . -lrb- parental review also available -rrb-", "relies on the sympathetic nature of its characters and the raw truthfulness of its story to carry it through the land of overfamiliarity .", "nicole kidman is strikingly good as becca , infusing clipped dialogue and fleeting expressions with great depth of feeling .", "as a viewing experience , the film is by turns heartrending and stultifying , but mostly stultifying .", "emotional depth and distance in story of grief", "one slow-motion flashback sequence is perhaps a little distracting , but this is a strong effort with good lead performances and a satisfying conclusion .", "a film that 's steeped in sorrow , but watching it is a joyful experience - at least for those who appreciate finely drawn characters from fabulous actors who invest them with heft and heart .", "MOV eschews much of the hysterics in favor of a gentle and surprisingly funny look at how a couple might cope with that impossible burden .", "the lesson at the film 's heart is that when tossed down the MOV of bereavement , there is no `` right '' response . it 's unmapped territory that each of us must learn to negotiate .", "what makes MOV remarkable is the way it never does what you think it will do .", "absorbing and hugely compelling , a thoughtful portrayal of the myriad ways in which we learn to deal with the unthinkable .", "a very worthwhile drama and well worth seeing .", "it 's a heartbreaker , but in graciously artistic ways ; a stirring screen purging of the highest order . who knew john cameron mitchell had it in him ?", "the performances are pitch-perfect : eckhart , swallowing words he knows will only lead to an argument and averting his eyes as if she will be able to see them there ; kidman , guarded and still , wearing her vulnerability like armor .", "... audiences may be lulled into thinking they 're seeing david lindsay-abaire 's pulitzer-winning play . they 're not .", "less than shocking , more that just interesting tale of a family suffering the death of a child .", "a riveting screen adaptation of a pulitzer prize-winning play about grief and the invidious ways it can rock the foundations of a marriage .", "in top form , nicoloe kidman and dianne wiest render oscar-caliber performances in this sensitive , beautifully directed family drama about a couple struggling to come to terms with the loss of their young boy .", "with oscar worthy performances from nicole kidman , aaron eckhart and dianne wiest , this is tough and demanding subject matter , but something that ultimately provides hope .", "this year 's feel-bad holiday drama is an equivalent of `` revolutionary road '' crossed with `` reservation road , '' but is nowhere effective as either .", "the drama may be less pronounced , but the emotions are no less complex , creating a film that 's quietly devastating and elegant in its understatement .", "a quiet , devastating , beautifully acted drama about the devastation of loss and the slow , muted , barely-there return of hope .", "a relatively tame but nonetheless admirable drama sustained by convincing performances and steady direction .", "honest and powerful , MOV reveals that the hardest thing about death , is learning to live with it .", "if MOV feels a little more neat and contained than a movie ought to be , the performances almost entirely make up for it .", "an intense tale of a couple grieving from the loss of their 4-year-old son in a car accident .", "the raw truth and heartfelt sensibility of MOV - unlike most films where death is a merely useful dramatic tool or emotionally exploitative device - could not be more luminous .", "kidman and fellow oscar-winning wiest could pick up oscar nominations for this dryly un-sentimental black comedy .", "the canniest thing about it is that it carves shrewd and lively dramatic arcs out of souls who are too damaged to feel their own feelings .", "a film of staggering insight and beauty . virtually flawless .", "the writing is too self-aware . the film cries out for moments that are not about the couple 's search for re-engagement .", "a plausible portrait of what transpires when bad things happen to good people without faith in god or a lucky rabbit 's foot .", "kidman is amazingly subtle and restrained , the film moving and in the end also buoyant .", "with so many tricky undercurrents to manage , `` MOV '' could have caved beneath their weight and gone into safe , predictable directions that would have been easier to navigate . but it does n't . it 's more complex than that .", "there 's a lot of beauty to be mined from that depressing-sounding scenario , thanks to well-drawn characters , impeccable performances , and sensitive direction .", "tidy , bland , MOV is the kind of movie that really does n't want to offend in its tale of child death and making friends with sandra oh", "nicole kidman does her best work in years in a film that at times is almost unbearably authentic .", "mitchell delivers this grim material with a certain amount of grace , and the best i can say for it is that he makes it watchable , and even , at times , compelling .", "really ordinary people", "solidifies mitchell 's place on my brief list of directors i 'll follow anywhere .", "like crash without the clunky characterization , MOV is film as medicine , a big , pretty pill to be uncomfortably swallowed .", "this is how movies can bring a great , grave theme to indelible dramatic life .", "mitchell shows a firm but gentle touch with this material . he 's keenly attuned to the shades of sorrow , but also to the possibility of humor , forgiveness and resolution .", "when confronted with all the potential snares a story like this could fall into , the fact that director john cameron mitchell avoids them all stands as a significant creative achievement .", "how do you patch together a relationship that has been sundered by grief ? the answers it gives , tentative and hard-won , may not be surprising , but they feel right .", "far too spic-and-span orderly for its own good .", "one of the few films that handles grief honestly and in an engaging way without ever going for any sort of sappy hollywood clich\u00e9s .", "MOV is a laudable art project , not great but good enough to rate comparison with stronger movies that contextualize the grief of loss and disorientation .", "here the proceedings are so lifeless that you find yourself rooting for the narrative to fully tread into the disaster zones with which it flirts .", "easily the most gracefully performed grief-porn you 'll see this season ...", "if this is n't -lsb- nicole -rsb- kidman 's very best work , it 's near the top .", "it 's an unsentimental , occasionally amusing insight into two people who do n't know how to become normal again . a very affecting and fine debut for kidman as producer .", "john cameron mitchell has done an amazing job capturing the heart of these delicate characters .", "a very fine domestic drama that avoids the pitfall of becoming maudlin and offers many surprising little twists along the way .", "it might be that this material is simply better suited to the theater , with its enforced artificiality and its crackling , dragging blacks .", "director john cameron mitchell 's restrained handling of the film 's rawest moments keeps it from descending into soul-wrenching lamentations .", "one of the very best films of 2010 .", "quality drama , sure , but it does n't go anywhere unexpected . for a film whose title evokes alice 's mysterious journey through wonderland , it might have amounted to a little more .", "exquisitely raw and painful , sure , but also richly humane and deeply cathartic , for david lindsay-abaire 's pulitzer and tony award winning play is nothing short of a masterpiece .", "a raw and complex character study that challenges our identification and sympathies at every turn", "when nicole kidman has full control of her facial muscles she is unrivaled in her ability to play cold , distant emotionally scarred bitches . its a marvelous performance . that said , the film itself can be so anguished that you will need counseling upon exit", "eckhart and kidman offer two of their finest , most nuanced performances . what could have been suffocatingly gloomy feels authentic and even hopeful .", "with performances like these , the result is not so much an issue movie as a study of human quiddity and stubbornness under siege .", "this drama of pain and loss felt by parents whose children die young may be the best of its kind i 've seen since `` ordinary people '' long ago .", "the film sets us up to judge and then upends those judgments .", "what on the surface seems to possess all the melodrama and photogenic suffering of a banal prime-time weepie instead becomes a lucid , tough , deeply sensitive examination of emotional fortitude .", "the movie is filled with little moments of kindness , brave stabs at connection and attempts to accept the shortcomings of others .", "eckhart works close to the top of his range here -- howie is a guy 's guy ill-equipped to fight something he ca n't see -- but kidman simply goes above and beyond .", "it 's not a documentary , but MOV is one of the most true films to be made in a long time , a beautiful tribute to those coping with loss and trying to make sense of the world .", "MOV is a finely tuned portrait of grief that takes its time unfolding , much like the actual process of mourning .", "the film 's impeccable emotional truth and delicate touches of black humor owe in equal part to screenwriter , director and stars .", "the film is quiet , patient , allowing for lived-in performances that get at the enormous change in the characters ' lives .", "we do n't want fireworks , but we do want a lit fuse .", "MOV is a spare , carefully made picture , but it 's not a bloodless one . and it 's just good enough to make you wonder what mitchell will tackle next .", "kidman does some of her most effective work in a while here .", "MOV is one of the most honest , stark depictions of grief ever committed to film . it 's not easy to get through , but it does offer some measure of hope , humor and catharsis . kind of like life .", "kidman and eckart are terrific", "the piece as a whole feels earnest and well-meaning but rarely compelling , a film that is almost too decorous to be as involving as it should be .", "it 's still painful and sad . it 's a movie about parental grief , after all . but there 's a also pinhole of light and weird punctuating humor , too , and that keeps it all from feeling like an anvil in your lap .", "painful as it is to watch , `` MOV '' engages you , imploring you to care about the characters and think about how complex the human psyche can be .", "MOV is a tremendously sad movie , but it 's also the furthest thing from a miserablist wallow , portraying grief as something that does n't arrive in neat stages , but in unpredictable waves with forceful undercurrents .", "eschewing clich\u00e9s , MOV is disturbing yet refreshing evidence that for some people , redemption takes longer , and for others , the pain never goes away at all .", "this emotionally dense film about grief , coping with loss and finding a way to get life back on track , takes us into heart wrenching territory", "this is one tricky subject to navigate , but -lsb- mitchell -rsb- ably corrals his cast and complements them with a perfectly calibrated directorial touch .", "brilliantly scripted and well acted , this painful and often funny drama avoids clich\u00e9 and feels true to life .", "kidman immerses herself in becca and her pain is almost tangible", "MOV is tender and sensitive where it counts , but also terminally tasteful . and there 's nothing tasteful about grief .", "the script , adapted by playwright david lindsay-abaire from his own pulitzer prize winner , demonstrates an extreme , occasionally comic , distaste for the sentimentality often provoked by other people 's grief .", "MOV is a searing drama that , despite its bleak theme , bravely posits how even the deepest emotional abyss need not become a prison of depression and hopelessness .", "MOV may sound bleak , and it surely is at times , but its refreshingly unhistrionic take on the subject coupled with kidman 's mammoth performance make it a rewarding experience .", "there 's a light at the end of MOV that makes this tearful trek worthwhile .", "it is a complicated and difficult film that is also extraordinarily sincere and honest .", "this searing family portrait is honest , humorous at times and worthy of kudos for kidman and the cast .", "though MOV tells a familiar tale , its goofy , loving feel for human cruelty and rage , for kindness and breakthrough bursts of exuberance , lifts this lovely chamber piece high above the crowd .", "all that emotion never quite manages to inspire the deep , resonant empathy these stricken parents -- and , more to the point , we in the audience -- so desperately need .", "nicole kidman and aaron eckhart give marvelous , shaded performances of grief-stricken parents attempting to move on without forgetting their pain .", "un drama \u00edntimo y conmovedor , narrado con sobriedad , sin golpes bajos y con una profunda empat\u00eda y cari\u0144o por sus personajes . dentro de un notable elenco se destacan las actuaciones de nicole kidman y dianne wiest .", "contrived and manipulative", "john cameron mitchell 's `` MOV '' is a heart-breaking , somewhat depressing film that deals with one of the worst tragedies a couple can face . it is also one of the best films of the year .", "MOV is hardly what you 'd call a date movie , and it 's difficult to see what kind of audiences it 'd appeal to outside of awards season chin-strokers .", "kidman is able to draw you in even as the movie 's solemn , morbid obviousness wears you out .", "-lsb- it -rsb- looks like another american indie film of ugly feelings and beautiful furniture , big acting and small paychecks . it is n't ; it 's one of the best , most human , most true films of the year .", "mitchell is a filmmaker who seems to genuinely like people , a far rarer bird than you 'd imagine .", "john cameron mitchell 's too decorous tale of parental grief and conflict is wise as far as it goes , but tastefully bourgeois to a fault .", "a perceptive and sympathetic film by john cameron mitchell that looks at grief by way of selfish reasonableness .", "-lsb- kidman 's -rsb- beautiful performance transcends the specifics of the script , which david lindsay-abaire adapted from his play of the same name .", "does n't quite make the leap from stage to screen with all its power", "in a tale of tragic loss , unexpected friendships , and finding happiness in whatever that may be , MOV scores big .", "a stirring meditation on grief gives way to some unexpectedly light hearted moments , in the impeccably acted drama MOV .", "this is a film that may haunt you . it 's painful to watch because the characters are in such pain in this show that can be classified only as a tragedy .", "... avoids exploitation at all costs .", "the triumvirate of focal performances -- especially the oscar-nominated nicole kidman as the grieving mother -- will break your heart .", "an absorbing , sensitive drama that feels painfully , and often amusingly , true .", "MOV is a beautiful examination of relationships . it exceeds normal genre expectations and has some fantastic acting .", "it 's a slight , well-acted tale in search of an epiphany .", "the sheer excruciating , stultifying good taste of this movie is almost unbearable - so tasteful it could have started out as a coffee-table book , though actually it is based on a pulitzer-winning play by david lindsay-abaire .", "MOV does n't entertain , inform or even stir the emotions .", "inevitably , MOV is a film that 's easier to commend than it is to like .", "while a little too neat and buttoned-up , it 's an effective character study that actually trends successfully into dark comedy territory during the second act .", "does n't wallow in sorrow ; instead , it tries to explore the many facets of grief and resolution , and that 's what makes it worthwhile .", "an enormously moving film that is , in the end , unexpectedly buoyant .", "kidman , doing her best work in years , just comes at you . her final scene with the splendid wiest , who builds her character with uncommon feeling , is devastating . so is the movie . it takes a piece out of you .", "MOV is n't just well written and beautifully acted , it 's simply devastating .", "MOV has a great script and some terrific performances , but in a lot of ways it 's a difficult project to warm up to .", "you never regret that nicole kidman ended up being the actress who got this made .", "moving , mature drama about loss is too heavy for kids .", "do n't go down this MOV unless you wish to see a superb film that treats a sad topic with unflinching honesty .", "... an unexpectedly powerful piece of work ...", "kidman and eckhart give stellar performances in a quiet tale of grief and -lrb- perhaps -rrb- healing .", "the actors do n't flinch from the task and there is hope at the end , though it may feel like small reward after so much digging .", "while it may be uncomfortable to watch , MOV is nonetheless essential viewing .", "although it 's sad , it avoids miserabilism , because it is leavened by touches of humour and a refusal to wallow . the reason to see it is kidman .", "impressively directed and superbly written , this is a powerfully emotional bereavement drama with a deservedly oscar-nominated performance from nicole kidman .", "will stay with you for days . a moving and truly beautiful film .", "kidman , looking almost anorexic with grief and sharply critical of everyone trying to comfort her , including her husband , is as good as she has been for some time .", "the acting is good - particularly from eckhart and teller - but director john cameron mitchell never quite finds a way to reach beyond the boundaries of its original stage work .", "if you must watch the portrait of a marriage strained to breaking-point , try the recent blue valentine , where you at least feel sorry for the unhappy couple that once cherished and loved each other .", "a movie that respects its audience , this is both poignant and funny .", "the terrain of grief is well mapped-out in american art movies , but MOV finds some subtle new pathways through it .", "the performances from kidman and eckhart are beautifully judged , while the film is as delicate and as finely nuanced as the characters and relationships it portrays .", "not as depressing as you fear ... and that 's no faint praise .", "a portrait of parental grief etched with sensitivity and welcome touches of humor .", "a by-the-numbers adaptation of a stage play that smacks of a thousand writer 's workshops and that is utterly devoid of genuine feeling .", "MOV takes its title from a graphic novel about alternate realities written by one of the film 's characters . the novel is pretty good -- too bad director john cameron mitchell did n't adapt it instead of david lindsay-abaire 's lugubrious play .", "respects the struggle that is the process of grieving and healing without giving way to wallowing or histrionics . it is , in a word , tasteful .", "the kidman in MOV is a revelation .", "MOV is beautifully made and acted , with a life-affirming point of view that makes it an intensely rewarding experience .", "sensitive , superbly acted , subtly disturbing chronicle of suffering and despair for those seeking a vicarious kind of catharsis .", "unlike his earlier works , though , -lsb- john cameron mitchell -rsb- turns the writing task over to the play 's author , lindsay-abaire , making MOV a hired gun kind of film .", "this heartfelt family drama is a return to form for nicole kidman , but it is aaron eckhart who really impresses as a sad dad stretching every which way to also support and find comfort with his emotionally closed down wife .", "his restrained , personal approach - captured in fluid close-ups , illuminated by clear , bright skies - lays bare the burdens of souls stuck as life goes on around them .", "if mitchell 's film had found a way to show rather than tell , MOV could have transcended the theatrically obvious and become cinematically sublime .", "a kidman character should never beg for forgiveness - it 's just not in her .", "plays out with all the subtlety of one of those bum-awful `` issues-driven '' episodes of eastenders . you half-expect an `` if you were affected by the events in this movie , you can call our special helpline '' message to drone out over the end credits .", "this is as clever , funny , foolish and frightening as real life .", "touching and wise .", "a grounded , well-rounded insight into the value of everything from a pet dog to electronic memories , the differences between the sexes when it comes to coping with grief and the future nature of sexual activity in such relationships .", "the problem with ` MOV ' is that it plays at one unrelentingly gloomy frequency : occasional moments of humour or tension are simply unable to puncture the overriding sense of oppressive sadness .", "everyone monologues , philosophises , weeps or does stream-of-consciousness cadenzas . no one has a human quirk or foible .", "it 's an understated , superbly-written drama that is extraordinarily ordinary , deeply moving in its slow , purposeful exploration of human behavior that is so recognizable , it takes our breath away .", "the tears it jerks are well-earned .", "those who venture into MOV with their expectations properly aligned will leave fulfilled and perhaps with a slightly different perspective on a few things .", "the sharp angles and rough edges of nicole kidman 's performance appear all the more vividly .", "mitchell deploys his distinctive directorial style to adapt lindsay-abaire 's play for the big screen . and he brings a remarkably light tough to the heavy subject matter , creating a film that deeply moves us .", "david lindsay-abaire has sensitively adapted his play and with director john cameron mitchell has filled the story with privileged moments , beautifully performed .", "with more patience and lack of affect than rachel getting married , MOV is stripped down to its story and its characters . achieves raw poignancy .", "the film is in a better state of mind than its characters . its humor comes , as the best humor does , from an acute observation of human nature . we have known people something like this . we smile in recognition .", "conventionally made but extremely well-acted . it does what most stage-to-screen adaptations do not . it works .", "wrenching , poignant , and quietly healing .", "it 's interesting to see a movie approach the subject of grief without the payoff of catharsis , healing , the palliative of closure .", "with some of the best performances of the year from nicole kidman , aaron eckhart , and dianne wiest , this is one of the strongest dramas of the awards season ." ], "summary": "it 's often painful to watch , but MOV 's finely written script and convincing performances make it worth the effort .", "id": "770810954" }, { "movie": "see_spot_run", "reviews": [ "this mutt of a movie is a real stinker .", "MOV is just an old dog whose few new tricks are stupid or disgusting .", "movies like this demonstrate that when it comes to stupidity and vulgarity , only the best will do for our children .", "MOV not only exceeds low expectations , but it 's also even a pleasant surprise .", "MOV is so guileless and good-natured that you may just find yourself enjoying it almost half as much as the child who brought you along to the movie .", "ten writers ! so many writers to make so little !", "there 's a general air of good-naturedness about this movie , a cartoonish spirit that informs the proceedings .", "by the time the film ends , everyone -- and i mean everyone -- has been humiliated , abused , and generally reduced to gordon 's level of inanity .", "the kind that 's punishment for weekend dads and whatever adult they drag along to help them keep their wits while the kids scream for more poop humor .", "the result plays terrifically with an all-ages crowd .", "do your kids a favor -- and take them to see something more worthwhile than the relentlessly vulgar and stupid MOV .", "see your life inch 90 minutes closer to death .", "renders a few laughs , but at the same time we can feel our iq dropping to the level of its imbecile characters", "the plot is so ridiculous and the execution so poor that nothing can save this floundering mess .", "it is possible , in fact highly probable , that the writers of this movie are as idiotic as the fat-headed lead character on screen .", "this crowd-pleaser is filled with laughs .", "there are eight credited writers on this rapidly paced jumble of a movie , which could be a record . -lrb- you have to wonder : what movie titles did this octet of high foreheads reject ? -rrb-", "adults will find little to entertain them , but at least it 's not an ordeal to sit through .", "a messy , though mostly amiable , comedy that ca n't quite decide who it wants to entertain .", "too dumb and too vulgar for anyone .", "only young jones and the dog come out of it with their reputations intact .", "an entertaining kid flick with lots of broad comedy and body-function humor .", "if you 're a parent looking for a movie you can take your kids to and genuinely enjoy yourself , this one is a winner .", "the movie looks as if it 's been written by committee and edited with a chainsaw .", "kids probably will enjoy the movie because bad things happen to silly grownups over and over again .", "this is a comedy for kids , not some great drama for fay art\u00edstes , and as such is a complete success .", "dotted with strange seizures of humiliation .", "george gallo , who wrote and directed the recent action comedy doubletake , is one of the writers of MOV , and his signature is all over this silly affair .", "derivative , even desperately goofy in its quest to leave no gag potential unrealized . but you 'll also be laughing so much , you probably wo n't care .", "to explain the extreme , lingering stench of MOV , it might be helpful to think of the movie itself as a dog .", "what 's amazing about MOV is that , granting how wretched it looks from the trailers and tv ads , it 's actually so very much worse even than that .", "the crawling narrative starts out as a version of adam sandler 's big daddy with training wheels .", "... to my surprise - perhaps even horror - i had a good time watching this silly movie .", "because it fails on so many levels , one wonders why `` MOV '' was n't put to sleep during development .", "for kids , this is a crowd-pleaser and a rollicking good time with its cops 'n' robbers and a doggone dog .", "if you find -lsb- arquette -rsb- a bit much in his at&t commercials , be prepared for 90 minutes of his over-the-top mugging .", "the laughs are few and the comic action is a bore -- even the dog looks kind of fed up .", "no bows -- no wows MOV is a must miss .", "too dumb for anyone over 8 and too vulgar for anyone under 12 .", "leaving aside the constant crudeness , this is a bad movie anyway .", "have you heard of the academy awards ? spot 's movie will not be receiving one .", "feebly mixes gangster spoof , buddy flick , home alone horseplay , animal adventure and wan romance , reeks worse than lead david arquette after he slips in doggie doo .", "this is not so much of a ` bad ' movie , as it is just a movie that we 've seen a thousand times before .", "MOV attempts to rationalize its stupidity by proclaiming itself a family film , as if that justifies its consistently low aim .", "MOV would n't be the first movie that tried to get by on the charms of a cute child or a particularly precocious animal . but it just might be the dumbest .", "there 's nothing about it quite so hilarious as the writing credits , which list no fewer than five writers and which , it is rumored , disguise the participation of up to five more .", "eight-year-olds will undoubtedly be on the floor when this scene is over , but every slapstick sequence feels like an uninspired retread of less potty-minded kiddie fare from the disney live-action movie-mill of the '60s and '70s .", "an unfunny farce with nary a clever line and not a single surprising sight gag .", "repeatedly falling in the same pile of dog poop got the most laughs at our screening .", "despite a litany of inanities , the film scores a big hit because it 's just plain funny watching goofy arquette twist his rubbery face as he stumbles into disaster .", "MOV would more aptly be titled see parents run .", "obviously , MOV wo n't go down as one of the great kiddie dog movies . but it 'll have to do for those children and adults who do n't ask for much when it comes to movies .", "MOV is pure hollywood formula all the way .", "MOV is one of those movies that makes you put your head in your hands and mourn the death of popular culture .", "seldom have movie co-stars been ordered to stoop so low in a film 's sorry quest for laughs", "the flick : MOV / it 's a truly bad movie / drove me to haiku .", "see spot stink would be a more appropriate title for this mangey mongrel of a movie .", "happily , MOV has a couple of those that would not be out of place in a jerry lewis classic or in blake edwards ' inspector clouseau franchise .", "not only is MOV tasteless , it 's devoid of originality .", "MOV , the new movie starring david arquette is no good . it stinks , it 's stupid , it 's not funny .", "this knockabout comedy is no more vulgar than most contemporary children 's films , and more good-natured than many .", "the perpetrators of MOV want you to know who in this brutally dumb canine comedy is the idiot . david arquette aside , depending on how long you stick around , it might be you .", "these sorts of films are often hard to rate as they manage to entertain the little ones , yet are n't that well made from an artistic standpoint .", "arquette , who is better in small doses , has just a little too much screen time here .", "a wheezing , underpowered affair that pads two amusing scenes out to feature length with some canned sentiment , lame ad-libs and break dancing .", "it 's a crude , dumb patchwork of worn-out ideas and cliches .", "the movie is directed by tv veteran john whitesell in an unpretentiously snappy style that seems designed to appeal to the affection for vulgarity of the eight-and-up crowd ." ], "summary": "MOV has all the elements chidren enjoy in a movie : a lovable dog , bad things happening to stupid adults , and lots of dog poop . for adults , it 's either hit-or-miss .", "id": "11147" }, { "movie": "final_fantasy_the_spirits_within", "reviews": [ "the only reason to see final fantasy : the spirits within is to gaze in amazement at what the future of film may hold . it 's not a particularly good movie , but it 's a movie that may change the movies .", "where it falters is on the script level . screenwriters distilled so many familiar science-fiction plot lines that nothing exists thematically to rival the groundbreaking visuals .", "a must-see for movie buffs curious about a new technology .", "darned if the thing does n't feel like a saturday-morning adventure cartoon stretched out to feature-length .", "after you 're done marveling at the characters ' semirealistic way of moving and the freckles and minor imperfections that dot their skin ... it 's all too easy to get hung up on the things that make them seem clumsy and awkward .", "for all its capacity for follicular detail , this cool new technology has trouble with intimacy .", "one for the history books , and tremendous fun to boot .", "the film is hands down the best ever based on a video game .", "when we see something with so little difference from humans , it just makes clearer how important that difference is .", "a mesmerizing technical achievement .", "at least the movie tries not to come across like a video game that you ca n't play .", "just sit back , grip your arm rest like it 's a joystick , and enjoy the slam-bang ride through the future-shocked earth of 2065 .", "is final fantasy decent sci-fi ? yes , more than decent .", "like dr. ross and her companions , the movie artfully mimics life without ever truly living .", "it should be seen , not for the movie itself , but for the way it has been made .", "sooner or later , viewers have to ask themselves : if they were to do this film with live actors , would it be worth seeing ?", "a technical milestone .", "it feels as if a computer also wrote and directed the film .", "optically stunning , emotionally cold .", "digital technology allows man to create man in his own image with greater sophistication than ever before , and the ` man ' he creates is a bore .", "just when you think you 've seen every computer trick and gimmick that can possibly stick to a screen , along comes a new advance that puts the ` special ' back in special effects .", "it 's just plain bewildering .", "even in the world of the digitally perfect , a black man seems doomed to be a disposable sidekick , and the heroine must represent every feminist ideal at once .", "it 's all very complicated and makes one lose interest quickly .", "a lot of painstaking work went into this ... unfortunately , the main story becomes nearly incomprehensible ... and the last ten minutes or so just feel like drudgery .", "the plot itself is convoluted sci-fi fare , taking in elements of botany , biology and philosophy , but it makes more sense than pearl harbor and the cast seems a lot more human .", "a delight , rising well above the standard animated action formula .", "it looks like a video game intro .", "visually stunning computer-animated sci-fi flick that unfortunately betrays its video-game origins with poor characterisation , an appalling script and a badly thought-out plot .", "the cityscapes , action sequences and phantoms and the sheer scale of the film are jaw-dropping .", "as a feature film , it ranks right up there with titan a.e. and atlantis for logic and an ability to compel .", "while this completely computer-generated sci-fi tale breaks new ground visually , beneath its sleek digital surface lurks a dull and nonsensical mishmash of cliches , confusion and sterile characters .", "unfortunately , the script is bad compared to the technology .", "this film 's bleak and murky vision , and somewhat incomprehensible spiritual mumbo-jumbo storyline , just did n't do it for me .", "the sight of these characters getting romantic is about as involving as watching two expensive mannequins kissing in a macy 's window .", "the too-smooth skin , the too-tidy hair , the slightly wooden way the characters move -- all of the elements that nudge them from the realm of the ordinary -- only serve to heighten the sense that everything on screen deserves our utmost attention .", "animation breakthrough aside , the main thing about final fantasy is that it is really , really boring .", "truth is , there 's hardly an original idea on display here .", "the film 's greatest strength is also one of its biggest weaknesses . as realistic-looking as the characters are , the flat , expressionless features make them seem emotionally aloof and rather unsympathetic .", "predictable , nonsensical plot , laughably lame dialogue and a surfeit of cloying environmentalist piety .", "technically this movie is really , really excellent .", "tiene el gran valor de ser innovadora , creativa y profundamente arriesgada . seguramente se convertir\u00e1 en un cl\u00e1sico con el paso de los a\u0144os", "the look of final fantasy then provides food for thought : what is `` realism '' and what does it have to do with the movies ?", "... from the first half hour through the final , unbelievably dull moment , the film beats its audience over the head with the same , tired moral .", "the animators put in a lot of hard work here , and they should be very proud of themselves . but frankly , if final fantasy is the future of movies , i 'm taking up macram\u00e9 .", "if human beings were made up entirely of eyeballs , this would be an instant classic .", "despite its strong visual appeal , final fantasy alienates the audience with strange theories that go unexplained , and characters that rival pinocchio 's reality .", "as the first attempt at a photo-realistic animated movie , this is definitely worth seeing on the big screen .", "where `` final fantasy : the spirits within '' falters is not in the stunning visuals , but in its pedestrian script", "an enjoyable film to watch .", "the filmmakers apparently have assumed that the advance in realistic animation techniques will create character , when all it really creates are images ...", "visually awe-inspiring and groundbreaking .", "it 's got a thought-provoking plot , without any clear-cut ` nemeses . '", "this sluggish would-be adventure is further burdened with a turgid , overly complicated plot .", "narratively , thematically , this is a dismissible picture , just another in a long and forgettable line of silly action flicks .", "final fantasy : the spirits within raises the bar for computer-generated imagery , then leaps over it .", "as monotonous as muzak , and when it comes to the plot , both bewildering and trite .", "it troubles you , makes you think , and at times thrills .", "my fantasy involved having the projector break or seeing the theater lights come back on .", "apparently , about $ 100 billion and millions of hours of rendering cycles went into creating dr. beautiful 's hair , and about $ 1.50 and a coffee break went into the script .", "obscurely plotted , emotionally simplistic and cliched in its characterization .", "as a technical achievement -lsb- the characters -rsb- are astounding . it 's too bad they were n't put into a plot that felt less hackneyed .", "the truth is , i have never seen a movie with this much exposition , and i still have no idea what was going on most of the time .", "final fantasy no o melhor filme do ano - isso certo . mas indubitavelmente aquele que entrar para os livros da histria da 7 arte .", "lo que no cambia , se extingue . el cine no es la excepci\u00f3n ; final fantasy puede no ser el primer paso , pero s\u00ed el m\u00e1s dram\u00e1tico .", "with all the effort put in by the animators , this should have been a classic .", "the heroes , though eye-poppingly rendered , remain emotionally as one-dimensional as any computer-game avatar .", "successfully following the plot should earn viewers some kind of trophy ; staying awake should earn them a cash prize .", "you thought reality tv was bad ? how about movies based on video games ?", "made by intelligent people for intelligent people .", "so gorgeous , so able to transport the viewer , that normal sticking points like clich\u00e9d plot and hackneyed dialogue do n't much matter .", "the tricky tale relishes in its japanese-style storytelling and will leave patient and focused hardcore anime and sci-fi fans drooling on their full review", "on a storytelling level , final fantasy is n't very compelling , but on a technological level , it is .", "a movie that does n't quite know what it wants to be .", "plays more like an expanded short story than a full-blown novel , but it 's still a game worth playing .", "the characters are so frighteningly lifelike ... that it becomes distracting , which i guess actually helps the story in a way .", "gleaming , but not without faults .", "these characters are so stiff and dull that you 'd be tempted to use that control pad to make the aliens eat all of them . that would be worth watching .", "the movie feels -- surprise -- hollow and lifeless .", "final fantasy joins tomb raider and the phantom menace as movies whose moronic stories are mere vehicles to get the viewer from one game-challenge sequence -- a chase through canyons , a battle with aliens -- to the next .", "while the action is convincing , the story is garbled and its which-way-is-up climax is too scrambled .", "it succeeds in making the viewer wish for the images of real people on the screen instead of fake ones .", "there 's really only one reason to watch this movie , and that 's to witness the evolution of comuter generated animation .", "too bad the dazzling ` eye candy ' technology was wasted on such a trivial pursuit .", "all the talk of how great this movie looks misses the larger point of how good this movie is n't .", "... has the visionary scope of ' 2001 : a space odyssey , ' and a story so smart and compelling that it had me grinding my teeth .", "photo-realism can only go so far when so little thought has gone into the story the ` synthespians ' are acting out .", "they are both visually very stunning to look at , both a wee on the wooden side , acting-wise , and both a mite forgettable .", "the exercise is so elaborately pointless you 'd think the pentagon had bankrolled it .", "by the movie 's end , i was too busy sniggering at the horrible lines ... to enjoy the visuals .", "a gorgeous , surprisingly meditative look at the beauty of life and the mysteries of death .", "it 's a paradox -- it 's at once exhilarating yet exhausting , thrilling yet boring , masterful yet banal .", "from a strictly visual standpoint , the film is like nothing you 've ever seen . in terms of story , however , you 've seen it all before .", "despite the utterly amazing animation and exciting action , this is nothing like its source material and is very disappointing in the end .", "this bigscreen adaptation of the long-popular interactive computer game is visually impressive if not dramatically cool , and is marked by `` acting '' that is no worse than that found in the majority of sci-fi films .", "i never stopped marveling at the thousands of individually delineated pores and hair strands of the heroine , but the thin story covering her acquisition of one wave after another while narrowly escaping death time and again is strictly for player one .", "it 's possible that the effect might be different if this were not a soggy , derivative sf movie and we had more to engage and divert us .", "in all its beautiful spectacle and skin-crawling ugliness , it is very much something that should be at least sampled , just for a taste of it .", "first computer animated movie to `` star '' actors .", "the human figure , however , remains a challenge to current cgi technology , since the detailing of hair and freckles , for instance , proves rather more credible than the marionette-like impression created by cold eyes and oddly unconvincing body movements .", "the story is well written and incredibly smart , but probably a bit too spiritual for western audiences .", "it 's muddled , hackneyed and torpid , and the only emotional reaction it elicits from viewers is one of tedium .", "the computer animation is very impressive .", "the result is ugly , confusing and boring .", "great animation , third-rate plot , but it still appeals to the geek within .", "crisp , breathtaking battle sequences that nearly put live-action to shame .", "a faux-spiritual spectacle that goes on about guya and spirit waves , all the while delighting in its own big guns and displaying nary a clue about weaving a cogent tale .", "has the capacity to inspire awe , but it 's still a rough draft .", "at first it 's fun to watch the characters ... but then you notice a coldness in the eyes , a mechanical quality in the movements .", "the clumsy script spells out exposition in the most blunt terms and a brave attempt to express subtle emotions in dramatic scenes is doomed by the limitations of the technology and the animator .", "the result is a ground-breaking achievement that could be recommended for its eye-popping visual prowess alone . fortunately , these computerized thespians also engage the heart and mind .", "it 's quite a blast .", "it is absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking in the execution of its photorealistic , computer-generated humans .", "not just for genre audiences ... deserves to be appreciated by anyone looking for smart , classy entertainment .", "though the story is confusing and derivative , final fantasy : the spirits within is as visually startling as any fan could have hoped .", "some strong action sequences , a consistent treat for the eyeballs and an early glimpse of the future of animation .", "final fantasy works better as a 2-hour demo reel than as movie , a showcase of what we can do and what we can do better .", "visually stunning , while utterly mentally mundane .", "the story is adequate , if familiar , but after half an hour relapses into cliche .", "the visual grandeur can not hide clich\u00e9d dialogue , thin characters , and a frustrating lack of development .", "the characters in final fantasy are truly artificial in more ways than one .", "there 's an almost evangelical , wave-of-the-future excitement to the film , promising more and better to come .", "it 's more than a little frustrating to be so stimulated visually while being spoon-fed incongruous spiritual mumbo jumbo and force-fed incompatible summer action conventions .", "older kids and adults ... will feel rewarded and blessed to have seen something so intriguing .", "fast-paced and highly watchable .", "wo n't disappoint the die-hard sci-fi fan or video game enthusiast .", "while it entertains & may go down as the best video game film ever , final fantasy comes up a disappointment by not exploiting the full potential of the visuals .", "a frigid and boring -lrb- albeit noble -rrb- adaptation of what is , argueably , the greatest and most profound of rpgs .", "truly robotic storytelling and laughably artificial dialogue .", "serves as yet another illustration of how unimpressive even the most sophisticated effects work can seem when married to mediocre storytelling .", "the real draw for `` final fantasy : the spirits within '' is to the many fans of the video game series and those who are curious ...", "one could recommend the film to sci-fi fans for its groundbreaking look alone .", "the film comes from a video game , and no effort was made to develop the main ideas . this may not be a bother when you 're jabbing buttons or yanking joysticks , but it 's a dead loss onscreen .", "has the stolidness of a video game , from which it is derived .", "spectacular entertainment .", "moviegoers accustomed to hollywood action probably wo n't find this contemplative adventure so appealing .", "ff : tsw , despite conceptual gas that bloats it about 10 minutes beyond its best length , has exciting surge , sweep , detail and dazzle ." ], "summary": "the movie raises the bar for computer animated movies , but the story is dull and emotionally removed .", "id": "10618" }, { "movie": "straight_outta_compton", "reviews": [ "the group members ' stories are overly familiar to rap fans , as are portrayals of the big bad music industry in general , but that does n't take away from the film 's dramatic tension .", "a fierce and awesome movie that morphs into a standard biopic .", "MOV is not just one of the best movies about the music business ever made , but it 's the drama about racism that a modern audience needs now more than ever .", "f. gary gray 's film detailing the rise and splintering of the hugely influential rap group n.w.a. is very nearly a masterpiece .", "buoyed by a soundtrack that 'll have fortysomethings cracking open 40-ounces and recalling a marginally simpler , if still chaotic , time in their lives , MOV 's bark is just as snarly-cool as its bite .", "a certain tendency toward myth-making is inherent in the biopic style . and MOV , naturally , obliges convention with the necessary legend-printing flair .", "there 's way too much inside-baseball money talk here , when a simpler plot -- one about a band whose apocalyptic vision comes to pass -- would have been plenty .", "MOV manages to keep its sharp teeth despite its adherence to form . the movie does n't neuter n.w.a. 's story so much as mold it to a familiar model .", "one can argue that this story might have been told with greater punch , more detail and less reliance on the tropes of the genre , but it 's still pretty solid and vivid as it is .", "in the small pool of big-budget hip-hop biopics , `` MOV '' is near the top .", "the authenticity of the story , or whether any of it was fabricated or exaggerated , is never in question , thanks in big part to the genuineness of the performances .", "f. gary gary returns to the big screen with an invigorating , dynamic , no-holds-barred film led by five newcomers who embody the characters they are portraying with perfection .", "a brash , enjoyable nostalgic rush that also happens to be as timely as tomorrow .", "this is n't your mother 's musical biopic . except actually it is , just titled a couple degrees to the left . kinda like jerz-e boyz .", "because of its heart and spirit , MOV is even for some of those who do n't know the difference between ice cube and ice-t .", "the cinematic equivalent of a nostalgic fanzine designed with die-hard devotees of gangsta ' rap in mind .", "this movie is a live wire that says as much about today as it does the late 80s-early 90s era it depicts .", "absorbing , honest and ultimately heartbreaking , this music biopic expertly shows how an artist 's surroundings can profoundly influence their artistry .", "the temptation to rap my way through the review was -- fortunately -- resistible . this movie , however , is not . great piece of work whether you 're into hip hop or not .", "skillfully written , artfully acted and brilliantly directed - one of the best movies of the year", "rename this flick MOV : the authorised biopic of nwa , and you 'll have no problem slurping up its many pleasures .", "an amusing hook to the story is how it goes from being about the music to being about the music business , with success bringing the guys to blows over contracts and artistic integrity .", "this movie burns so hot that it 's bound to run out of steam . it does . but what stands is an amazement , an electrifying piece of hip-hop history that speaks urgently to right now .", "this biopic gallops through the career of groundbreaking gangsta rappers n.w.a , working its way through a checklist of the major events .", "a must see for fans of rap ... and everyone else too ! -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "MOV that will deffinately will become a cult classic among hip hop fans , however , high production values and acting make it accessible for everyone . -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "the 2 1/2 hours of compton are fantastically paced -lrb- it feels much shorter -rrb- , full of well-placed humor and packed with moments that make it a time capsule of west coast rap .", "to someone unfamiliar with the american rap scene , MOV will provide an absorbing look at a group of flawed , yet wonderfully talented artists .", "history is written by victorious billionaire rappers .", "it 's a pity the film 's machismo and aggro dominates proceedings because occasionally , but not often enough , some involving elements counter the film 's relentlessness .", "a vital and necessary movie that looks back to the birth of a movement that influences music and american life to this day .", "executes the established biopic formula to near-perfection , it 's well-acted and well-staged , and thoroughly enjoyable even when relying on cliche .", "policemen , journalists who dislike rap and suge knight will find little to enjoy in this movie - all are portrayed as villains with zero subtlety . but the film as a whole is critical of its heroes ' mistakes .", "jackson jr. artfully evokes ice cube 's tough-guy charisma . mitchell 's eazy emerges as the film 's most complicated figure , throwing his lot in with a manager who may not have his best interests at heart .", "a smorgasbord of a musical biopic in which the strength of the individual parts compensates for the flaws of the whole .", "at its worst , the film is agonizingly biopic-ish . at its best , it 's a rise-and-fall movie where the first half is infinitely more compelling than the second .", "the fbi watched them with suspicion . their fans watched them with adoration .", "an undeniable love letter to one of the most influential groups in rap music history , f. gary gray 's `` MOV '' is a vivacious and powerfully timely piece that stands as the single best film of the year thus far .", "... kind of exhilarating .", "this movie about a group of risk-takers should have taken more risks itself .", "watching MOV ... it feels like watching the avengers of hip hop biopics . every character ... gets his own dramatic introduction .", "ice cube has re-written history in a way that 's deeply self-serving and thoroughly entertaining .", "MOV is a victory : in turning a sprawling narrative into a movie , when there are n't many like it , the best thing to do is follow the rules of a by-the-numbers biopic .", "a few electrifying moments aside , this skillfully made but painfully skin-deep film feels like a winners ' history of the gangsta rap glory days .", "it 's very easy to imagine sing-along showings cropping up for years to come .", "director f. gary gray turns the meteoric rise and fractious fall of rap supergroup n.w.a. into a sprawling , exhilarating los angeles hip-hop epic .", "it does for the most part fulfill its mission , breathing life into the origin story of a group whose influence is still being felt .", "unlike most biopics , which rely on our nostalgia for another time , MOV reels us in with its raw reflection of our current reality .", "covers a lot of ground in recounting n.w.a. 's story . it begins and ends on high notes , though it loses its way ever so slightly in the middle .", "underneath the gunshots and the battle raps , `` MOV '' is a fairly conventional movie about a music group , somewhere between hero-making and the honest truth .", "`` MOV '' 's readymade movie-ness cuts both ways : despite a twisty , juicy and compelling story , there remains a staid conventionality that keeps the political and thematic undercurrents from being explored as satisfyingly as one might hope .", "it loses all its edge to become hagiography for these men . it 's as if the cheesy second half does n't trust the more emotional and realistic first half .", "an exceptional young cast and strong direction make this powerful and gritty n.w.a. biopic a cut above most showbiz sagas .", "... an epic biopic that sparks to ferocious life more often than it falls victim to watered-down melodrama .", "there 's an energy and urgency to this nwa biopic that 's nearly impossible to resist .", "not only is this film informative , it is well-written , well-acted and entertaining . the music is electrifying .", "the core of the story is business , the object is power , and the quirks of desire and twists of the unconscious are given no place in the struggle-which the movie sharply carries ahead to the present day .", "as uneven as nwa was incendiary .", "punchy , provocative and packed with attitude .", "it 's fun for fans of west coast hip-hop but suffocates any hope of depth ; what , for example , about the group 's lyrical misogyny and homophobia ?", "it 's like ice cube got in a time machine and traveled back in time , but was still forty because time travel does n't change your age . so he went on a big diet , got some makeup help and starred in a film about himself . it 's just like that .", "films that are this sharply written , expertly directed and brilliantly acted do n't come along too often .", "MOV is more a statement movie than a linear biopic , and while it runs a tad too long , gray 's cast never stops delivering a consistently passionate energy .", "vibrant , rambunctious , and as lopsided as a cake taken out of the oven too soon .", "hard-edged , sometimes difficult to watch ... and surprisingly educational .", "the sheer force of MOV steamrolls its flaws . director gray , who is from compton and made a name for himself directing some of hip-hop 's best music videos , has given us a movie that feels honest and urgent .", "MOV may not fully shake off many of the restrictions of the biopic form , but if anyone deserves to have some mythmaking done for them , it 's n.w.a.", "the casting in MOV is universally pitch perfect , including brief cameos by keith stanfield as snoop and marcc rose as tupac that are fantastically spot on .", "the picture is n't really a biography , it 's an application for sainthood .", "MOV 's ambition occasionally exceeds its grasp , and it 's probably too clumsy to be considered a great film . but it never stops feeling important .", "it 's clear what producers ice cube and dr. dre are most interested in : the money .", "the relatively unknown cast rises to the incredible challenge of portraying some of the most recognizable people in the music industry .", "sometimes buoyant , sometimes soggy .", "a group of talented young actors in a bio-pic that packs a punch in all the right places ... eye-opening and compelling ...", "it twists the volume dial clockwise .", "the seething rage radiating from the screen elevates this above similar movies . but that rage is truncated in ways that are hard to ignore .", "early scenes show clearly how nwa 's music emerged from the war zone of south central la in the 1980s . thereafter , MOV comes straight out of the school of biopic clich\u00e9 .", "holding it all together is clamourous music that achieves something pop so rarely manages : it is urgently of its time and endlessly influential .", "the nwa story is told in the style of a luxe , classic-era studio biopic . and it 's scintillating .", "potent and visceral in its depiction of street life and blinged-up excess alike , MOV delivers big beats of both kinds .", "gray 's camera bobs and weaves around the action like a wary boxer , giving the story an athletic urgency .", "the story of the rise and subsequent implosion of one of the most influential bands in us rap history gets a sweeping , epic , but somewhat partisan treatment in f gary gray 's explosive drama MOV .", "no matter how hard the script tries to artlessly name-drop basic facts or things to come , the movie has a lived-in groove , the actors doing their best to make even the stiffest line sound off-the-cuff .", "MOV is as important as selma in terms of putting the now on a similar plane as the then . it might cover too much territory , and not get the two stars of today too messy , but it is as powerful as it is entertaining .", "if you 're like me , you 'll forgive its more melodramatic clich\u00e9s and just surrender to its raw , brass-knuckle force .", "it 's biopic syndrome ... and it sinks the second half of an otherwise compelling , funny and extremely entertaining film with a beat all its own .", "there 's a grittier , grimier story in here , but it needed a different script and probably a different director than the uncritical f. gary gray , whose resume is studded with old-school rap videos and ice cube projects .", "if you 're not a fan of n.w.a , you 'll still find much to enjoy here . if you are a fan , you 'll love this movie as much as i did .", "though not without its flaws , it crackles with a timeliness and a now-ness that elevates it beyond mere entertainment and into the realm of subtle social commentary .", "good , as close to great as any f. gary gray film is ever likely to be .", "conventional and too long , but rousing and entertaining .", "the highly entertaining and sprawling biopic starts out with its pulse on the nation only to somewhat devolve into standard behind the music backstage melodrama .", "gray 's stroke of genius is to take a wonderfully cheesy , melodramatic rags-to-riches tale and shoot it in the style of an action movie , complete with sex , drugs and violence .", "gray does an undeniably fine job of taming what amounts to a decade-long soap opera , covering a lot of narrative ground with little loss of dramatic steam .", "an outstanding achievement , putting it on my short list of the year 's best films .", "for fans only .", "MOV is an unwieldy , expletive-strewn sprawl of a musical biopic .", "it 's hawkins , mitchell and jackson -lrb- the latter playing his own father -rrb- who really light up the screen , bringing energy and vitality to the film even as it misses the wider picture -lrb- and stirs up old rivalries -rrb- ...", "it never feels less than authentic , directed with energy by f gary gray and acted superbly .", "the young cast are so convincing on stage it 's easy to forget you 're not watching the real thing .", "overall , it 's a well-done film that offers up pointed social commentary as it also delivers a thought provoking history of the group .", "a slick , provocative and timely biopic about one of hip hop 's most iconic groups .", "MOV does not reinvent the musical biopic as a genre ; merely hone it to a razor 's edge , transcending a rote repetition of nwa 's history to make a statement about the world that made them possible and how it must change .", "a sprawling , overstuffed , formulaic but highly entertaining story of pop stardom and its discontents in which the pioneers of gangsta rap are burnished to a high mythological gloss .", "a superb film despite the group 's problematic history , but n.w.a 's past can not be rewritten , for better or for worse .", "a fitting tribute to the world 's most dangerous group and easily one of my favorite films of the year .", "n.w.a. started out as angry young men shouting at the cops , but the film opens up their raider jackets to reveal the humans beneath . perhaps that story 's been told before . but it never sounded quite like this .", "director f. gary gray has too big a story to tell , enough for a tv miniseries -lrb- or a season 's worth of behind the music episodes -rrb- , and you can see him straining to cram everything in even as the film stretches to the two-and-a-half hour mark .", "the first hour is electrifying in all the right ways . its second half trades impact for incident , ultimately rendering `` MOV '' little more than a multimillion-dollar reenactment - albeit a persuasively acted and vividly rendered one .", "the script is sharp , often funny , and compelling . it has one of the best ensemble casts of the year and the performances are superb .", "their stories are largely fictionalized , peppered with the truth that dr. dre and ice cube want you to know . it 's a fun fiction , yes , but fiction just the same .", "there 's little to distinguish the movie from any number of overlong hit-by-hit music biopics of the nodding-approvingly-from-behind-a-mixing-console variety .", "brashly winning and unapologetically self-serving .", "MOV earns its place in the pantheon of biopics that are good , just not as great as the artists who inspired them .", "a fittingly raw and powerful film .", "`` you are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge . '' no , really .", "it 's far from being a full and frank account .", "it also , naturally , has an unforgettable soundtrack and so , ultimately , can be mostly forgiven for lacking the danger and unapologetic truth of the album it 's named for .", "history is certainly written by the victors .", "it 's impossible not to pump your fist .", "it 's rare that a band made famous by controversy can stay relevant even a few years on . but more than two decades later , n.w.a. 's music still has the power to shock and startle .", "MOV wields its maximum impact in a gripping first half : where the group rapidly get their abrasive act together , then rush headlong at an unsuspecting world .", "on the whole , i hope it sparks a cultural shift in what hollywood considers to be important musical legacies that are worth preserving .", "a truly great music biopic to rival the best of the genre .", "despite MOV 's energetic acting and gray 's capture of in-studio eureka ! moments , it never manages to transcend biopic hagiography ...", "exhilarating from its first moments , MOV seizes its viewer and does n't let go . director gray captures the rage and electricity of the era in this portrait of rap legends , nwa .", "MOV is a period piece , but it is not . it 's snapshots of l.a. before and after rodney king ... it 's still a part of that timeline , the legacy of criminalization of black and brown bodies and power-tripping cops .", "MOV functions as both a compelling , damnably topical political statement and a slickly produced piece of commercial art .", "a riveting film about the birth of not just one rap group but an entire genre .", "what distinguishes the film is its spot-on period recreations and some truly fantastic casting . -lrb- full content review - sex , nudity , violence , profanity , etc. - for parents available -rrb-", "rreaches back and recaptures the energy of n.w.a. 's raging , raunchy cultural moment .", "you ca n't get more current or more electric than MOV .", "MOV is so beholden to the appeasement of so many artists and legacies and estates that none of it coheres as a movie .", "while no one will mistake this for a protest film-there are too many pool parties-the movie 's portrait of a militarized police force all too eager to assault young black men ca n't help but resonate in our own moment .", "MOV celebrates the gangsta rap era with a bit too much glee , but it 's mesmerizing every step of the way .", "the film antagonizes . it instigates . just like gangsta rap itself .", "director f. gary gray , whose relationship with ice cube stretches back to the video for it was a good day , cuts through the violence in n.w.a. 's lyrics to drop the needle on the group 's vulnerability , boyish camaraderie and genial humour .", "it 's most towering accomplishment are its set pieces , which manage to be brash , exhilarating , and even occasionally moving .", "despite a few flaws inherent to nearly all music biopics , the long-developing `` MOV '' pulls no punches in capturing the volatility of the era and the group 's often violent rags-to-riches story .", "it 's overlong and sanitized but succeeds in presenting an important part of contemporary american culture to a mainstream audience .", "but as a depiction of a time and place , MOV - from its low-rider chevys on hydraulics blaring hip-hop to police battering ram vehicles crashing into suspected crack houses - nails it .", "a consistently entertaining look at the birth of extremely relevant music .", "`` MOV , '' f. gary gray 's biopic of pioneering gangsta rappers n.w.a. , manages to feel urgent and alive , even as it plays like the coolest episode of vh1 's `` behind the music '' ever .", "one of the summer 's most entertaining and provocative movies ...", "`` MOV '' goes right to the heart of what made n.w.a. one of the most defiant groups of all time .", "it 's a story driven by classic tensions : struggle and triumph , division and conquest , group and individual .", "f. gary gray 's excellent film is as sympathetic as it is bombastic , even when it depicts some of the rough stuff , a lot of the stupid excesses that come with fame , and even some quasi-criminal activities .", "an incredibly ambitious musical biopic that illustrates how a hip hop group sparked a revolution , self-destructed , then regained its original bond .", "once the group as we originally know it from the movie 's story dissolves , so too does the movie 's narrative cohesion and , surprisingly , distinctiveness .", "MOV makes that same thudding power echo in the thrill of a fresh track and the first rhymes from five young men who changed the music landscape nearly 30 years ago .", "an explosively entertaining biopic about the hip-hop group that brought gangsta rap into the mainstream of popular culture in the 1980s .", "if any film should be forgiven its excesses , it 's MOV , which is about the clashes and camaraderie among men whose unruliness sparked a cultural moment that was beyond their ability-and their willingness-to contain .", "the film follows the five young men as they use their music and brutally honest lyrics to express their antagonism about the dangerous and depressing environment around them .", "like its subjects , the iconic late rap conglomerate n.w.a. , f. gary gray 's `` MOV '' starts out strong , peaks quickly , and then gets tangled in complications and compromise and falls apart .", "`` MOV '' ends up juggling more story lines and moods than it can handle .", "there 's some grit at the get-go , and some thrill at witnessing the development of a musical form . but the drama slows down once the money starts rolling in and the rappers ' chief antagonists become each other , and maybe their manager .", "as enlightening as it is entertaining , as sobering as it is exhilarating , `` MOV '' reminds viewers not only who n.w.a. were and what they meant , but also why they mattered - and still do .", "despite its occasional whitewash of facts , `` compton '' thrives both as a reminiscence for longtime fans and an introduction to those who are n't yet privy .", "MOV aims to cross cultures and sanctify the wisdom of the street-to make a universal underdog story . it succeeds on a visceral level .", "a movie that can launch a thousand conversations and , sadly , as pertinent now as n.w.a. 's record was in 1988", "suffers from standard biopic formatting , but there 's still a whole lot to appreciate here .", "a well directed and powerful musical biopic with some great performances and a presentation that will make the fans go wild", "an energetic , continually engaging biopic . if you do n't know the n.w.a. story , you 'll be fascinated by its many twists and turns . if you do , you 'll admire the respect with which it 's told .", "MOV hurtles toward greatness , only to fall short in execution . yet , aiming high and falling short still results in a very good film .", "the beats are fly , the story is nitty-gritty and the timing is spot-on , reminding us of just how shocking , raw and impactive n.w.a. 's music was 25 years ago -- and how powerfully it echoes even today .", "while the movie itself is a mostly warts-free depiction of the group 's rise and eventual dissolution , the circumstances described by the band have n't gone away .", "this biopic does n't come close to matching the impact of the titular album , but the material is so riveting that it 's nearly enough ." ], "summary": "MOV is a biopic that 's built to last , thanks to f. gary gray 's confident direction and engaging performances from a solid cast .", "id": "771305050" }, { "movie": "ride_with_the_devil_1999", "reviews": [ "given the flat performances and schamus 's overexplanatory script , MOV has the feel of undergraduate costume drama .", "lenthy and zigzagging narrative .", "the film is less than the sum of its parts .", "the script is as flat as a kansas cornfield with characters that are as memorable as well ... a kansas cornfield .", "james schamus ' flat , arid screenplay only further undermines this intimate tale .", "politically astute , visually breathtaking but emotionally inert .", "a film that would inspire useful discussion in a history class , but for ordinary moviegoers , it 's slow and forbidding .", "visually arresting but dramatically flat .", "oddly distant and uninvolving for such a blazing subject .", "ambitions only get you so far , and then it 's a matter of dynamics -- dynamics of story , character , plot , which failed lee in the ice storm and fail him again here .", "moving , gorgeously filmed .", "admirably expressive .", "schamus , mightily adapting from daniel woodrell 's equally blood-soaked and far more delusional novel , woe to live on , has revised the book 's revisionism to restore to the war its fighters ' freewheeling single-mindedness .", "even if this is n't the best civil war film ever made , it 's one of the most interesting and least dogmatic .", "ang lee is amazing .", "simply put , a gorgeous and enduring piece of work .", "an intimate epic .", "lee and his team bring the period and place to life brilliantly , in its every frontier main street , homely speech pattern , and burnt gunpowder fog .", "entertaining , effective .", "ang lee 's MOV is a film of monumental ambition .", "the main characters , despite their various complexities , are never particularly compelling and therefore fail to draw us into -lrb- or help us make sense of -rrb- the film 's abstract themes", "bucolic scenes of men at rest in beautiful wild landscapes and families gathered over meals in manors and homesteads are shattered by battles ...", "like too many other young men in too many other wars , maguire 's jake roedel sees too much , and grows up too fast .", "the lawrence massacre provides no catharsis , only a sense of despair at the state of the human condition and at young men turned psychopaths .", "lee is a master storyteller .", "sustains a standard of realism that can induce extraordinary tension .", "` it ai n't right ; it ai n't wrong ; it just is . ' that line , in a nutshell , pretty much sums up MOV .", "this is n't the usual civil war tale of learning to respect a man regardless of his race ... . it 's about how true freedom comes from love , from respect , and from self-sacrifice .", "MOV moves with its own methodical rhythms .", "... unexpectedly watchable due mostly to the above-average performances from tobey maguire , jeffrey wright and even jewel -lrb- in her film debut -rrb- .", "does for civil war movies what 1991 's mobsters did for gangster movies .", "from a technical perspective , MOV is nearly perfect .", "MOV truly succeeds .", "the performances from the young cast are excellent .", "sadly , wright 's is a great performance wasted in an otherwise forgettable historical epic .", "fine performances -- including one from jewel -- highlight this ang lee western .", "unengaging !", "it 's simply a collection of familiar dull moments from a variety of bad historical dramas .", "a remarkably beautiful film .", "it is fresh and insightful , and it is visceral cinema .", "an impressive cast energizes lee 's smartly balanced themes of innocence and treachery .", "the production of the film is outstanding ; the settings , costumes , imagery , and soundtrack add a strong dose of reality to the characters .", "this rip-roaring adventure story presents a little known slice of civil war history ,", "there 's absolutely no emotional or sexual heat between maguire and jewel ; they seem like kids playacting at grand passion .", "neither outstandingly good , nor bad . it 's a reliable choice for the historical action keener .", "while the movie intermittently revs up for some showy combat scenes , its real m\u00e9tier is a texture of fine-grained observation that brings history to life on the molecular level .", "lee appears to have been torn between making a character study and an action movie , so both elements get short shrift .", "lacking the charisma of a truly great film ... MOV manages to succeed more in principle than it does in the moment .", "lee has cast his film with the cream of rising actors .", "the intriguing -lrb- if not always successful -rrb- result is an oddly contemplative picture about a horribly bellicose time .", "MOV works on the simple level of action and classic drama .", "the cast is attractive and proficient at handling the fancy dialogue the filmmakers offer up as period vernacular .", "a sublime contemplation of the american character at a particularly revealing time in our struggle to become a nation .", "a film that asks the viewer to stop and smell the spent gunpowder rather than wallow in pyrotechnic spectacle .", "it is a violent film that fails , at times , to be dramatically engaging ...", "wright is the real find in the ensemble cast ." ], "summary": "a well-acted , eccentric civil war film , ang lee 's MOV is often more visually striking than it is emotionally engaging .", "id": "13875" }, { "movie": "anchorman", "reviews": [ "ron may be an idiot , but MOV is no dope .", "funny in a roly-poly , shapeless way . sort of like ferrell 's gut .", "it 's a long string of heavy-footed sight and sound gags that must have seemed a stitch at the drawing board , but made me squirm in my seat .", "-lsb- n -rsb- inety endless minutes of some of the most stunningly incompetent filmmaking i 've ever seen ...", "dumb , dumber , dumberest !", "surprise surprise , the movie outplays its trailer . picks up big well-deserved laughs in between ever decreasing non-funny moments .", "rent it if you must , but do n't say i did n't warn you .", "if you do n't like will ferrell , i do n't understand you . i mean , this movie might just change your mind .", "ferrell is at the top of his game , giving us a character who is utterly shallow , silly , and vainglorious , yet completely likable .", "balances its social satire with some outlandish visual gags and moments of surreal hilarity", "the good news is - the film is fresh , imaginative and full of laughs .", "the period vibe is basically the whole point to this charming and often very funny film .", "generally , the film makes good on its humorous potential .", "this is ideal friday night fodder if you 're in the right mood .", "does n't quite live up to the promise of its admittedly funny trailer , though it does have several good laugh-out-loud gags .", "a ` stupid comedy ' that gleefully celebrates the absurd and actually trusts its audience to be smart .", "the whole exercise has the smug feeling of a kevin smith film -- a cameo dumpster that does n't even have the wit to kill danny trejo .", "the humor of MOV is planted deep within a surreal 70s landscape where the jokes zing by so fast , you have zero time to ponder how out there they really are .", "while malapropisms and anachronisms do have their places in cinematic comedy , it 's very tough to make them the foundation for a story .", "it is not as maniacally uninhibited as old school or as dementedly lovable as elf , but its cheerful dumbness is hard to resist .", "it 's a flat , dull picture marked by sporadic flashes of ridiculous brilliance .", "this is a wobbly comedy rooted too deeply in three - or four-minute tv-style set pieces , which misfire more often than not .", "remember the `` spanky and our gang '' episodes where the boys would n't let darla into the treehouse ? imagine that plot in the all-white-guys world of 1970 's television news .", "little more than an extended saturday night live skit with better wigs , real locations and a script that sputters as soon as its one-joke premise is exhausted .", "hammers away at the same comedic notes like an 8-year-old pounding out ` chopsticks ' on a parlor piano .", "will ferell makes it big", "this goofy , energetic comedy flattens out at times but milks its 1970s setting and characters for numerous huge laughs .", "this is a masterpiece of comedy , ready to be watched , re-watched , quoted and imitated for years to come .", "-lsb- a -rsb- very funny , silly , and well acted comedy that must be watched for the great laugh out loud performances , and gut busting gags .", "incredibly silly yet often hilarious ...", "it 's nearly perfect .", "silly comedy that 's definitely not for kids", "laughs galore follow the well-paced humor as cameo performances by jack black , tim robbins , and luke wilson spice up the buffoonery ingeniously smacked at by the rest of movie 's talented ensemble .", "by no means ... a great movie . but i not only understand why some people love it , i think i 'm even beginning to love it a little myself .", "some of the material works , some does n't .", "relentlessly silly but not quite funny parody of 70s network news never quite lives up to its promise .", "MOV may be uneven , but will ferrell 's ron burgundy is a character worth revisiting", "gags are n't allowed to develop ; the characters are shuffled from location to location and from conflict to conflict without building momentum .", "it 's hardly breaking news to tell you will ferrell 's funny , but MOV 's flights of lunacy need a little more story to keep us engaged .", "a comic idea that never finds the comic wellspring or anything resembling a sure source for laughs .", "the laughs arrive on stale crackers of the easy , breezy and familiar .", "will ferrell headlines a great comedy cast in a story that is as ridiculous as it is hysterical .", "wonderfully silly all the time .", "you will laugh . then you will laugh some more . then you will laugh still again .", "a surreally dopey comedy that is refreshingly ribald without resorting to gross-out humor , and its '70s - savvy soundtrack may be worth the price of admission .", "at its best it plays like modern-day marx brothers in which every single thing that happens makes no sense and serves no purpose and nothing happens for any reason at all .", "occasionally , it entertains us for three minutes or so , but it lurches from one skitlike scene to another , charting out like this : funny , not funny , not funny , funny , not , not , not , funny , not , funny , not , not .", "while the film is sporadically funny , it was done much better on the small screen , decades ago .", "may cause hysterical fits of laughter -- stay tuned for further details .", "like most of these sofa-spud comedies , MOV bears its attention-deficit disorder proudly , as it shifts tone and abruptly sidetracks .", "`` MOV '' is so deft and suave at selling us on its preposterousness that we give in , and laugh at the sheer gall of it all .", "the results may not be coherent , or even consistent , but they are often hilarious .", "good dumb fun can be lowbrow without being lazy , but bite-sized episodes of creative lunacy are not enough to qualify MOV as the kind of dumb worth paying to see .", "so many ways to go with something witty , sharp , or just plain fun ... the filmmakers instead went with pointless , dull , obvious , and sophomoric", "it 's the kind of movie that makes you laugh despite yourself , its inconsistent dummheit redeemed by a try-anything approach that somewhat transcends the usual aura of a tv sketch stretched to feature length .", "... burgundy barely qualifies as a character . better to think of him as a living one-liner , albeit a very funny one .", "instantly quotable and destined for classic comedic status .", "even though it feels the need to lapse into juvenile clowning around every once in awhile , MOV is still gon na make you laugh -- hard .", "will ferrell shows that even he is not immune to looking bad when faced with bad material , even if it 's his own . possibly one of the worst directed films of the year .", "the movie succeeds because there are so many goofy little moments that rise up out of nowhere and catch you off guard .", "will ferrell 's commitment to sophomoric comedy is encroaching on religious zeal : `` MOV '' is ferrell at his best .", "proving that even infantile humor can be funny , MOV : the legend of ron burgundy does make you laugh even if you hate yourself for doing so .", "ferrell has seized on a clever concept rife with possibilities -- namely , women breaking the glass ceiling in male-dominated tv news during the '70s -- and smartly surrounded himself with a topnotch cast .", "it 's difficult to resist a hero who believes that the name san diego , derived from german , means `` whale 's vagina . ''", "... the laugh ratio is about 50 percent , but that 's still pretty good .", "word is ferrell got the idea for the film one night while watching a documentary on the male dominated world of 70s television news . his fans should thank their lucky stars the comedian happened to catch it .", "takes a joke and runs with it -- sometimes too far , but usually long enough to wear you down and force you to submit to its craziness .", "... somehow will farrell manages to hold the whole mess together .", "there has n't been a movie this silly or funny since austin powers .", "a crude , funny satire that tackles local television anchors and their newscasts . those are easy targets to skewer , but the movie mines more truth from its subject than some in the biz will want to admit .", "... like a ` saturday night live ' skit that got out of hand , a good idea that kept going and going but never quite jelled into a story .", "ostensibly modeled on the egomaniacal ted baxter of the old mary tyler moore tv series , this adventure 's protagonist is less comical , less endearing , and generally grates on the nerves .", "some of MOV is the kind of giddy , nonsensical stuff that can only emerge from a genuinely deranged comic brain .", "ferrell 's manic energy takes it beyond parody and into a brilliant dance of buffoonery .", "MOV : the legend of ron burgundy shows that the past has bright future in hollywood comedies .", "it solidifies ferrell 's place alongside jim carrey , jack black and , when called on , johnny depp , as our best comic actors .", "it seems like ferrell can take just about any idea , however threadbare , and make it funny .", "the desperate and frantic slapstick of MOV : the legend of ron burgundy is closer to hysteria than hysterical .", "as much credit as ferrell deserves for keeping this nonsense from slipping off the screen , applegate deserves as well .", "nothing more than an extended skit , and a lame one at that .", "most of it is n't even as funny as those supposedly humorous features that local news broadcasts sometimes end with .", "ferrell is funny spouting his weird stream-of-consciousness rants , but too often the plot leaves him hanging and he resorts to just yelling really loud .", "the celluloid equivalent of a throwaway summer pop anthem , the sort of catchy-yet-agitating tune that has you humming in spite of yourself .", "a mighty silly send-up of a mighty silly era .", "there is n't a second that goes by without ferrell filling it with some form of comic shtick - a well-turned punch line , a goofy facial expression , a pratfall or some other kind of physical comedy business .", "add it all up , and you get something that often meets the standard of being funny . whether it meets the standard of being a movie is another question .", "the snl veteran 's willingness to do anything for a laugh , no matter how humiliating or juvenile , keeps the laughs flowing pretty steadily in this fast paced send up of seventies era news anchors in all their blown dry , polyester glory .", "it 's a cute , silly , likable movie without much weight or intensity , but it 's also pretty funny .", "a coarse , one-joke affair ; ron burgundy might not have actually been an snl skit , but ` MOV ' sure feels like a movie based on one .", "most of the comic sequences and satirical barbs in this comedy seem to have been recycled from the long ago past .", "a marginal entertainment with some greatly funny scenes definitely worth seeing , but is the rest of the movie worth wading through to get to them ? probably not .", "whether he 's fighting kodiak bears or throwing burritos at bikers , ron burgundy is the perfect outlet for will 's unique brand of sincere witticism .", "MOV is equally hilarious , appalling and intelligent , but could n't the movie have a little more of the intelligent and hilarious ?", "for a comedy set during the formative era of happy-talk news , MOV does n't do enough to tweak the on-camera phoniness of dum-dum local journalism .", "this is one of the funniest movies of the year ...", "as parody , it 's toothless and often smug , but as random ferrellspeak generator , it has its delights .", "farrell carries the movie on his broad shoulders , nailing the character perfectly .", "will said on a recent talk show that he got the idea from watching a documentary on news and was captivated by the 70 's anchors .", "ron burgundy is a boob on the boob tune whose antics get stale before the movie ends .", "perfectly captures the hilarious desperation of the local news personality .", "... consistently ridiculous and hysterical , despite its messy mid-movie abandonment of the subject it sets out to parody .", "there are a ton of jokes launched , and most of them work .", "it sinks like an anchor , man .", "in the end , it really hinges on ferrell 's burgeoning star power and the contributions of his scene-stealing supporting cast .", "... we all get one of the funniest movies of the year ...", "what we get is more of the same from ferrell -- funny faces , goofy accents , pratfalls aplenty -- and that ai n't bad . it just could have been a lot better .", "not since last year 's old school have i actually laughed afterward at a film 's gags , remembering each one as if seeing it for the first time .", "nearly as offensive as it is funny .", "no need to make room for MOV in any cultural time capsule , but there are enough laughs to keep the movie from being canceled .", "it 's ` jane , you ignorant slut ' all over again , but with less bite , a backstory , a romance and a host of celebrity cameos that promise more than they deliver .", "always affectionate toward its people , especially when they are at their most ridiculous , MOV meticulously builds america 's dimmest news team . and we root for them .", "sloppy , crude , pursuing the most far-flung tangents in hopes of a laugh , MOV still gave me more stupid giggles than i 'd care to admit if i were n't paid to .", "a lot of the time it 's very funny .", "with the ability to throw all caution -- and sometimes all clothes -- to the wind , ferrell has that unique ability to be both funny and vulnerable at the same time , a quality that makes him hard not to like .", "it 's not a comedy .", "even if many of the film 's individual characters are n't worth remembering an hour after you see the movie , MOV is almost always hilarious .", "it has a pleasing , noodly elasticity about it -- the picture knows what its limits are and proceeds to boogie unself-consciously far outside them .", "a hoot that comes to an unfortunate halt every time the newsteams go over the top .", "this one 's crazy , silly , funny and whole lotta loony , but as a cohesive movie movie ... it 's also kind of a mess .", "you go ... hoping for good , dumb fun . well , one out of three ai n't bad . but that does n't exactly make MOV good , either .", "this wildly uneven comedy goes from the heights of zaniness to the depths of bad-sketch humor , sometimes in the same scene .", "all hail will ferrell , king of the man-children !", "screenwriters will ferrell and adam mckay have brought us a twisted tribute to sexual harassment ...", "overly broad humor with little on its mind .", "ferrell has an absolutely magical way of making complete morons lovable .", "ron burgundy takes his place among the multitude of amusing characters portrayed by one of today 's most talented comics .", "MOV would qualify as great popcorn entertainment , except that the popcorn will become a choking hazard because you 'll be guffawing so much .", "ferrell makes this a movie worth your money , and you 'll leave the theater laughing .", "it 's one of those movies where every good joke is in the trailer , which was a hilarious two-minute spot that promised so much more than this sloppy , lazy effort manages to deliver .", "what takes the whole thing pleasurably over the top , turning a goof into a total gas , is the film 's pitch-perfect absurdist comedy and warmth .", "you 're just left wishing that tina fey had lent a helping hand -- or that they 'd wheeled in some old hands from the real '70s newsroom gender comedy , the mary tyler moore show .", "essentially ninety minutes of name-calling and surprise cameos masquerading as comedy", "there are more misfires and dead spots than we 'd prefer , but they 're outweighed by many more moments that are riotously laugh-out-loud funny .", "MOV works so well because ferrell 's persona fits flawlessly into this world of overgrown boys working men 's jobs .", "news flash - it 's not that funny !", "ferrell totally gets the MOV of the 70s vibe and pulls off even the lamest lines without breaking a sweat", "to praise MOV for perceptive social commentary would be giving the movie more credit than it deserves , but it is n't just pratfalls and sexual humour .", "aimed squarely at the open-mouth-breathers who turned dumb and dumber and big daddy into hits .", "generally funny , but for the first half hour it 's hilarious .", "resembling bill murray 's early career , ron burgundy is a peter venkman/carl spackler type performance which will be remember fondly during will ferrell 's 2020 oscar run .", "half of MOV had me laughing on cue ; the other half made me want to switch channels .", "all those comedy smarts boils down to one indisputable fact : MOV is the single funniest thing will ferrell has done yet .", "MOV has a good-natured attitude to go along with its hit-or-miss jokes , and ferrell 's willingness to humiliate himself for a laugh should count for something .", "is n't as strong as dodgeball or starsky and hutch primarily because the satire inherent in these flicks is n't paid as much attention to this time around .", "captures the mood of a group of friends riffing , trying to make each other laugh with the most ridiculous nonsense they can think of", "a strange , funny movie about a strange , funny guy .", "o diretor j\u00e1 revelou que um segundo filme , produzido apenas com as cenas deletadas deste , ser\u00e1 inclu\u00eddo no dvd . ser\u00e1 que a pr\u00e9-venda j\u00e1 come\u00e7ou ?", "you finally got me , will ferrell . i surrender .", "although it has even less depth than its proudly one-dimensional hero , ` MOV ' is frequently hilarious and full of delightful cameos by some familiar faces .", "an engagingly knuckleheaded comic vehicle for former saturday night live trouper will ferrell .", "an enthusiastic , harmlessly silly celebration of the empancipation of the tv newsroom .", "half inspired and half a moronic exercise in brain stagnation .", "MOV is packed with genuine laughs and a plethora of pleasant cameos", "i could have used more smarm and crisply delineated battle-of-sexes confrontation , but ferrell 's overwrought mania and wholesale comedic devotion again sell the laffs .", "watching ferrell and crew put the uproar in uproarious makes you forget , if only for a while , today 's worst news .", "the period detail is hilarious , abetted fantastically by alex wurman 's score . but there 's so much talent on hand that you could n't blame anyone for wanting more .", "consistently funny , more often than not of the cheap variety .", "... about as entertaining as a tv test pattern .", "slaps a goofy smile on your face .", "pathetic .", "at best fitfully amusing for all but hardcore ferrell fans .", "the weirder MOV gets , the stronger its comedy .", "these are obviously just stitched-together bits that these improv masters worked through until they got funny . their dedication pays off more often than not , especially when the cast strives for outrageousness .", "knights of columbus ! would n't it be great if tv-based comedians were n't afraid of making movies that were funnier than they are ?", "we really ca n't call this a sophomore slump . does sophomoric slump work ?", "you 'll be more likely to scratch your head in puzzlement than to pull your mouth into a smile", "no plot , no so-called redeeming social value and no desire to pluck the hearstrings , which is why it 's superior to ` elf . '", "MOV establishes ferrell as a formidable comic force reminiscent of steve martin when he was the jerk or chevy chase when he was fletch .", "MOV is an absurd , stupid comedy that 's a lot of fun and well worth checking out at the theater with friends .", "ferrell at the top of his craft ...", "although great in small doses , MOV struggles to sustain its concept through feature length .", "i hoped for far more laughs , a sharper edge to the humor and a comedy that would attain the rank of other snl alum works such as caddyshack .", "ferrell wrenches every drop of ingenuity from a lackluster screenplay and amplifies it through his face , his voice , his gut - even his underwear .", "certainly the silliest comedy of the year , but mainly in a good way .", "misses a golden opportunity by crossing the line that separates parody from stupidity .", "a straight shot of that good stuff .", "if we want to judge MOV by its own standards , we can observe that nothing in the movie lives up to , say , toonces the driving cat .", "avoid MOV like the plague , you 'll thank me later .", "so funny that you wo n't care that it has no real plot but boasts more bad wigs than the lord of the rings ...", "fans of the todd phillips school of comedy are going to be divided on this one -- there 's real potential here and a great premise but had it been a little cleverer it could 've been so much more .", "overall , i put MOV on about the same level as dodgeball . both movies are pretty stupid and do n't generate as many laughs as you wish they would .", "nothing in MOV will be mistaken for the work of preston sturges , but the occasional chuckle and even a loud guffaw is unavoidable .", "ferrell 's written himself a perfect vehicle for his shameless overacting .", "for every gag that works , there 's one that does n't , and the story is too thin to keep us engaged otherwise .", "keeps re-establishing ron 's egomania with diminishing returns of cleverness . the film goes nowhere .", "there is enough goofy humor to satisfy the guy in me but `` MOV '' has too many problems to propel it to the heights of ferrell 's recent vehicles .", "partway through the uneven string of skits that comprises MOV : the legend of ron burgundy , the film loses its mind completely .", "even if it 's not exactly dripping with substance , it 's still one of the most distinct comedies to come out this year -- distinctly stupid at times , yes , but also with a fresh and funny voice of its own .", "that he can make his MOV chauvinistic , deluded and ridiculous but still manage to give him some humanity is testimony to ferrell 's comic talents .", "it 's essentially a one-joke situation carried to a tedious length and ferrell hardly runs away with his cliched part .", "you 're not laughing at anchormen . you 're laughing at formula movie rituals blown sky-high .", "the barrage of very funny jokes makes up for any missteps , and by the end of the film you 'll likely only remember the good parts .", "burgundy is dim , vain and unrepentantly horny , but there is something so limited about him that he seems more pitiable than funny .", "i think MOV has the potential to achieve austin powers-like status as a highly quotable movie ." ], "summary": "filled with inspired silliness and quotable lines , MOV is n't the most consistent comedy in the world , but will ferrell 's buffoonish central performance helps keep this portrait of a clueless newsman from going off the rails .", "id": "16978" }, { "movie": "annie_1981", "reviews": [ "huston 's biggest misfire ; ponderous and sluggish .", "they do n't build movies like this anymore .", "john huston is the wrong director , lacking appreciation for the musical genre", "tale of cute orphan is great for the whole family .", "the movie offers an insulting ` let them eat cake ' gesture toward the 1982 audience , but the pacing is so ragged and the characters so lifeless that few will be able to stay awake long enough to feel offended .", "this charming musical based on the comic strip character little orphan MOV features many memorable songs and pleasant dance numbers .", "many people said john huston was an odd choice to direct MOV and he proves them right .", "the songs never take off into anything very much , the whole atmosphere -lrb- apart from the climax -rrb- is distinctly stagebound , and huston merely reveals why he had never before in his long career been hired to make a musical .", "serviceable version of the broadway show . burnett shines as miss hannigan .", "it 's like some kind of dumb toy that does n't do anything or go anywhere , but it is fun to watch as it spins mindlessly around and around .", "whenever the kids are singing , you 'll want to put their numbers on infinite loop .", "most of the movie featured doe-eyed , orphaned girls either getting abused by a boozehound or doing manual labor", "-lsb- o -rsb- verly long , uninspired , and frequently awful ...", "MOV is a happy -- go lucky musical with a happy ending .", "there 's bad and then there 's bad and then there 's MOV", "certainly not flawless , but still a whole lot of fun .", "however was this singularly tuneless show a hit in the first place ?", "truly charming . you 'll be singing til the sequel .", "... the film version of the stage hit is an old-fashioned charmer ." ], "summary": "john huston proves an odd choice to direct , miring MOV in a sluggish , stagebound mess of an adaptation , but the kids are cute and the songs are memorable .", "id": "12290" }, { "movie": "what_time_is_it_there", "reviews": [ "the weight of the film 's opaque , numbingly studied details ... is oppressive .", "a rare film that actually expands and deepens in the memory when its time on screen has run out .", "mr. tsai is a very original artist in his medium , and MOV ? should be seen at the very least for its spasms of absurdist humor .", "alternates between deadpan comedy and heartbreaking loneliness and is n't afraid to provoke introspection in both its characters and its audience .", "tsai convincingly paints a specifically urban sense of disassociation here .", "his best film remains his shortest , the hole , which makes many of the points that this film does but feels less repetitive .", "MOV ? is not easy . it haunts you , you ca n't forget it , you admire its conception and are able to resolve some of the confusions you had while watching it .", "inherently caustic and oddly whimsical , the film chimes in on the grieving process and strangely draws the audience into the unexplainable pain and eccentricities that are attached to the concept of loss .", "an asian film that incarnates brazilian saudade", "... the gentle melding of drama and comedy makes `` MOV ? '' something the true film buff will enjoy .", "a mournful , nearly silent song of desire that 'll kill you softly and haunt you for some time to come .", "both exuberantly romantic and serenely melancholy , MOV ? may prove to be -lsb- tsai 's -rsb- masterpiece .", "tsai has a well-deserved reputation as one of the cinema world 's great visual stylists , and in this film , every shot enhances the excellent performances .", "it 's the kind of leap a director makes when he has become so sure of the techniques and themes that have preoccupied him that he seems unable to make a wrong move .", "an original gem about an obsession with time .", "demands too much of most viewers .", "tsai ming-liang 's witty , wistful new film , MOV ? , is a temporal inquiry that shoulders its philosophical burden lightly .", "more of the same from taiwanese auteur tsai ming-liang , which is good news to anyone who 's fallen under the sweet , melancholy spell of this unique director 's previous films .", "like other tsai ming-liang films , MOV ? is tonally odd , light in dialogue , unconventional in its photographic beauty , sporadically opaque in theme , and resolute in not achieving resolution .", "tsai has managed to create an underplayed melodrama about family dynamics and dysfunction that harks back to the spare , unchecked heartache of yasujiro ozu .", "at times , tsai 's approach makes viewing this film like watching paint dry , but what a sublime design it makes .", "tsai 's confidence in the deep power of silence drives home the film 's inner convictions . its surface works coolly , intriguingly and , happily , feebly in opposition to the heart of the matter .", "the careful compositions in the taiwanese MOV ? give us plenty of time to search for meaning and to wonder what the movie is trying to say .", "if you 've the patience , there are great rewards here .", "while its careful pace and seemingly opaque story may not satisfy every moviegoer 's appetite , the film 's final scene is soaringly , transparently moving .", "has moments of quiet power and others of almost slapstick charm , and it 's so elegantly fashioned that it 's difficult to take one 's eyes from the screen .", "wise and deadpan humorous .", "the film 's understated humor and relatable character 's steer us towards feelings of compassion and understanding , rather than pity .", "tsai may be ploughing the same furrow once too often .", "a funny and moving meditation on yearning , mourning and the vagaries of time .", "an absurdist comedy about alienation , separation and loss .", "tsai ming-liang 's ghosts are painfully aware of their not-being .", "is not so much a work of entertainment as it is a unique , well-crafted psychological study of grief .", "eccentric , haunting and resonant .", "tsai ming-liang has taken his trademark style and refined it to a crystalline point .", "the story that emerges has elements of romance , tragedy and even silent-movie comedy .", "often lingers just as long on the irrelevant as on the engaging , which gradually turns MOV ? into how long is this movie ?", "the story wraps back around on itself in the kind of elegant symmetry that 's rare in film today , but be warned : it 's a slow slog to get there .", "most of the movie is so deadly dull that watching the proverbial paint dry would be a welcome improvement .", "an art piece in which everything seems to be a metaphor for something else , and as pleasing as it is to watch , it 's too pretentious by half .", "a film of surprise and wonder , lyrically attuned to the ticking intensity of romance .", "a determined , ennui-hobbled slog that really does n't have much to say beyond the news flash that loneliness can make people act weird .", "although what time offers tsai 's usual style and themes , it has a more colorful , more playful tone than his other films .", "those with an interest in new or singular sorts of film experiences will find MOV ? well worth the time ." ], "summary": "though it requires patience to view , MOV ? 's exploration of loneliness is both elegant and haunting .", "id": "20706" }, { "movie": "jersey_girl", "reviews": [ "while sweet and stupid , it still provides for good entertainment due to its heart and wit .", "i admire kevin smith for ... trying to stretch -lrb- but -rrb- if this is the best he can do , please , oh please , bring back those trash-mouthed stoners jay and silent bob .", "the man who once envisioned a monster made entirely out of poop now only allows the substance to be used in a cutesy joke involving a baby 's diaper .", "it 's great to see a filmmaker you admire ... try something so completely different .", "le passage de kevin smith au cin\u00e9ma plus commercial et plus grand public s ` av\u010dre donc un accouchement difficile .", "a treacly mess that recalls robin williams in his ` i need a hug ' phase .", "it 's way too tame for smith 's hardcore fans -- they 'll probably hate every minute of it -- and not solid enough to draw new admirers .", "big , gooey -lrb- but often likable -rrb- misfire .", "... a warm , wonderful and touching little film .", "smith tones down his trademark vulgarity to bring his message to the pg-13 crowd , and slices the cherished edge off his voice in the process .", "... it 's a bit saccharine in places , but plenty of smith 's off-kilter sense of wit shines through , giving the rosy-cheeked script some much needed edge ...", "... -lrb- kevin smith -rrb- show -lrb- s -rrb- considerable restraint in being subtle with his subject matter ... -lrb- ben affleck -rrb- really is leading-man material .", "it 's the kind of movie hugh grant might make , except for the way smith has with his dialogue , which is truer and more direct than we expect .", "this is a very good collection of episodes about the weekly compromises that parents make for their kids and the little dreams that children have for themselves .", "affleck is buried in the cliches of his role , or worse , having to react to the fatuousness of tyler .", "emotionally , MOV is a big ball of mush -- and i love it for smith 's willingness to be sentimental about fatherhood .", "it almost works as a nice little film , but it 's not the kind of story we want from kevin smith .", "the writer-director brings nothing new to the shopworn family-vs . - work dilemma .", "affleck may be a nice man , but he has a seemingly congenital inability to do anything convincingly , which is only made worse by smith 's apparent immunity to cloying sentiment .", "this modest little date-movie may feel like a refreshing relief .", "it 's every bit as enjoyable as -lsb- smith 's -rsb- previous attempts , but much more mature . kevin smith has grown up , and he 's grown-up well .", "` quiz\u00e1 sea reciclado de otras tantas cintas por el estilo , pero el toque de smith aparece para hacer de este ejercicio un recomendable filme sobre el acto de maduraci\u00f3n . '", "MOV emerges as kevin smith 's most polished effort to date , but not his funniest .", "a romantic comedy seriously marred by a clunky plot and a couple of characters that are hard to sympathize with .", "in a strange way , it 's both the most mainstream and the most personal movie smith has made to date .", "people who find smith 's work too brazen or fringe will really fall for this picture , likewise those easily pleased by this genre will enjoy . hardcore fans may be very upset by smith doing something so ordinary and even mundane .", "even as the critic in me raged against the clich\u00e9s , i found a big old lump in my throat and blinked back a few tears .", "MOV is like that new liz phair album ... it sometimes sounds unmistakably like kevin smith but you never quite believe he could be so platitudinous and predictable .", "this is not the hard , cutting-edge kevin . this is the soft and runny kevin , trying -lrb- a little too hard -rrb- to work within the system . it 's lame , man .", "kevin smith inserts enough of his special charm to make `` MOV '' a winner .", "i 'd be lying if i did n't admit i want the other kevin smith back .", "MOV is not kevin smith at his most innovative or scathingly funny . but it is his most emotionally satisfying work , a warm movie that is n't trying to be cool .", "smith tries to stretch further in MOV , but it 's all reach and no grab .", "i had trouble remembering details about MOV just an hour after it ended .", "director kevin smith tries to appeal to a more mature audience with the dramatic comedy MOV but in doing so , he loses his edge .", "the new ben affleck movie is less a movie than a chance for him to redeem himself for all those tabloid photos .", "a stone grin practically all the way through , bridging smith 's trenchcoat-mafia insouciance and soccer-dad dramatics without compromising either .", "both smith and actor ben affleck get their groove back with this affecting tale of a struggling single father torn between stalled career aspirations and parental responsibility .", "smith 's first ` serious ' film , is a sitcom , a mawkish , sentimental single-dad sitcom , with jokes about stinky baby poop and a cute , wiseass kid mugging for the camera .", "imagine britney spears croaking her way through la traviata , and that 's what it 's like to endure kevin smith trying to deal with adult emotions in MOV .", "in several ways MOV is more appealing than clerks or mallrats ... . nonetheless , it lacks the smart observational-humor edge and often thoughtful boldness -- and , most frustratingly , the promise -- of chasing amy or dogma .", "smith reinvents the romantic-comedy by making a film about a man in love with his kid .", "mature and heartfelt , though not overly saccharine .", "MOV marks a low point for the tubby new jersey auteur .", "affleck is at ease in this down-to-earth drama in a way that he never seems to be in his action movies , and castro seems like a genuine child instead of like a child actor .", "it takes more than a couple of dirty one-liners to retain your edge in light , predictable fare .", "a cloying attempt at mainstream fodder ...", "formulaic script and uneven tone . disappointing .", "the script stoops to cheap gags that undercut affleck 's efforts to sustain a believable character .", "MOV obeys the classic conventions of romantic comedy but there are ingredients in this mix that raise it a notch above average .", "it 's an enjoyable cruise down the garden state parkway , and affleck and castro are charming companions .", "watching MOV is akin to being smothered by a basket of warm puppies .", "ben affleck is understandable . but how did kevin smith wind up behind something as trite and ordinary as this insipid tale ?", "the filmmaker drowns his trademark edgy stew of smutty humor , stiff acting and dime-store insight into human nature with a gravy of glutinous bathos , making for a singularly unpalatable dish .", "this kind of weepy material works in the hands of melodrama masters like douglas sirk or pedro almodovar . but here , it 's over-the-top and it 's just horrible .", "smith is looking more and more like a developing major talent , so it could be years until we get a handle on this movie 's legacy .", "the grating sense of commercial calculation in MOV consistently undercuts smith 's fine writing .", "everything about the movie , from its premise of a single father raising a kid all alone to its school-musical finale , has the bland taste of reheated leftovers .", "-lsb- kevin smith -rsb- has mistaken maturity for old hollywood cliches and conventions .", "smith is n't very adept at shaping or balancing the weepy scenes , but there 's a sense that this material is coming , unfiltered , straight from his heart .", "overall too bland to hold our interest .", "whenever ` MOV ' threatens to turn into ` one ben and a baby , ' smith saves it with a good gag or clever line .", "his ease with characters and clever dialogue helps sustain the film through an otherwise utterly familiar story and pat , predictable ending .", "a family-positive movie that 's far more interesting than most competition in the genre , but not nearly inventive enough to stand up to smith 's other work .", "such a generic package that it feels like just the kind of affleck film that smith would mock on his comic-con tours", "one ca n't begrudge smith the attempt to make a warmhearted movie about ... fatherhood , and his is a noble , heartfelt effort . more alarming , though , is how corny it turned out .", "MOV is n't smith 's best movie , but it is his most heartfelt .", "MOV takes smith in a new direction . he stumbles a bit along this new path , but shows promise and potential ...", "any romantic comedy that can work in a murdering barber ca n't be all bad .", "the title is by way of bruce springsteen ... but the film itself has as much bite as a pop song by paul mccartney .", "sorry , kevin smith , but ditching jay and silent bob does n't mean you 're all grown up yet .", "affleck , tyler and castro ... have a warm chemistry that melts away much of the ill will engendered by the first half-hour .", "sweet and conventional , with just enough wacky kevin smith moments to keep it going .", "smith never makes us believe in this story the way he clearly does .", "i 'll take manhattan .", "the point about parental responsibility is worth raising -- and smith and company raise it with good humor and affection .", "with MOV , -lsb- smith -rsb- stopped fooling around , finally got his act together and made a real film . for once , he deserves the moniker ` filmmaker . '", "smith , reaching into his most tender feelings , comes up with hairballs of hokum .", "smith is trying to say something heartfelt , even as he 's using formulas that are unworthy of him . thus , MOV is a step , not a misstep .", "it 's saved by an unusually charming child actor : castro , who has a voice like a pan flute and a sweetly low-key screen presence .", "kevin smith 's neuters his sense of humor for MOV , an old-fashioned ode to paternal love that shamelessly goes for its audience 's tear ducts .", "smith stumbles setting up dramatic confrontations and strains credibility a time or two with implausible moments .", "affleck , who often seems confused on screen ... uses that quirk as ollie matches wits with a kid who is not only smarter , but also probably more mature than he is", "move over snowballs , stink-palms and chinese finger-cuffs -- it 's time for the pg-13 MOV .", "affleck finally scores a hit with a co-star who is nine years old .", "there 's a huge streak of sincerity hidden beneath MOV 's cuddly disposition . plus it 's funny .", "... too cute by half .", "so by-the-numbers , so depressingly average , that i 'm tempted to believe smith is parodying by-the-numbers , depressingly average films .", "the movie rises above its cheesy contrivances to emerge as smith 's most mature -lrb- and most moving -rrb- work to date .", "` MOV ' is sweet and funny and there are a few moments when smith 's snarkier side makes a welcome appearance ...", "a predictable and sugary been-there-before story .", "i can understand why smith might want to bid farewell to jay and silent bob , but he needs to find something better with which to advance the cause of maturity in cinema .", "the material here is n't exactly new but it is emotionally honest , more than a little sweet and even a bit touching . and it is by far smith 's best film .", "while the story does n't venture far from the beaten path , MOV stands as a singular creation thanks to smith 's sharp writing and his ability to coax great performances from the most unlikely places .", "this is -lsb- smith 's -rsb- first mature work in which he weds his gift for quirky dialogue and humor with genuine feeling and tries to craft a story with broad appeal .", "potty-mouthed , pop culture-mad indie icon kevin smith grows up , gets serious , knuckles down ... and makes a boring movie .", "-lsb- smith 's -rsb- clerks would never have stocked it ; his amy would never have chased it ; even silent bob might have found his voice to dump on MOV .", "a small movie with a big star doing some of his most appealing work .", "here at last is the kevin smith that chasing amy promised .", "the good news is that jennifer lopez 's character dies in the first 20 minutes . the bad news is that ben affleck lives .", "kevin smith : come back . your fans miss you .", "smith is blessed with the charming raquel castro ... one of the best child actors i have seen in several years", "smith 's most family-oriented , heartfelt movie ever in his varied career . families will love it", "affleck is out-acted by everyone else in the cast , including the infant who plays his daughter .", "kevin smith 's venture into familial territory is flat and unconvincing , despite some funny lines and interesting performances .", "smith has concocted a painfully predictable soap opera that would fit in very nicely on the lifetime network .", "i totally bought carlin as a dad and grandpa , but never believed affleck as a father .", "if the movie were any gooier , it would have been a hallmark card .", "anyone who 's ever had a little girl will have a difficult time not liking the film .", "is it possible for a movie to jump the shark ?", "it 's a goopy well , duh of a family drama .", "i could n't have liked this movie any less if affleck had stepped off the screen and punched me in the face .", "festooned with bits of stale child-rearing slapstick and mawkish sentimentality , MOV is the sort of movie well-meaning movie people make when they begin to feel guilty about the level of success they 've attained .", "although the story is fiction , the emotions are real .", "for every manipulation smith puts us through he wins us back with offbeat heart", "a mess , but forced to carry the rest of this too-saccharine but sometimes amusing film based on the personal experiences of scruffy , offbeat director kevin smith , mr. affleck has his moments .", "smith 's story is like a nightmare amalgam of decades of single-dad sitcoms : mawkish , cloying , and essentially bogus .", "affleck is modest and engaging , which keeps the movie out of gigli territory . but it 's close .", "kevin smith has made a movie so false and blatantly icky that it 's the film equivalent of making goo-goo noises and chucking a baby under the chin for 103 minutes .", "... barren and cloying ... ironically , MOV could use some of the disastrous gigli-style bennifer hype to boost this reductive romancer into moderate gear", "its heart is in the right place . unfortunately , that heart is about the only element here that does n't strain credibility .", "light-weight and sporadically enjoyable romantic comedy is an edge-free film by kevin smith 's angelic twin . ... from smith we rightly expect better .", "cue the folk-rock music and close in on the tear trickling down affleck 's cheek ... utter predictability .", "as much as MOV forces smith to evolve both as writer and director , it also pushes affleck .", "this is not just another movie about a frustrated adult dealing with a precocious kid ; it 's a genuine story about a man trying to be the best dad he can be .", "as with all of -lrb- kevin -rrb- smith 's movies , MOV is both good and bad", "if there 's a single authentic moment , i missed it , unless you count ben affleck 's obnoxiousness early in the film - that part at least seems to come naturally .", "affleck moves from being the world 's most famous scapegrace and goat into hugh grant territory , and he does it with surprising authority .", "inspired by smith 's own awe and amazement at being a father , the movie is modest and entertaining , with a minimum of sentimental goo , and it demands little of us except a good-natured willingness to go with it .", "... in the same way that smith refers to bennifer 's disaster gigli , as ` totally watchable ' , this one might fall under the same backhanded classification .", "the jay and silent bob fans may weep , but for pretty much everyone else , there 's cause to rejoice .", "the movie is just baby boom with a guy , tossed with some jerry maguire and bits of a zillion other movies smith has probably trashed on his web site .", "it 's nice to see a screen male get lessons in being sensitive , but ollie 's emotional makeover just does n't wash .", "affleck 's in his element .", "an enjoyable slice-of-life drama that offers a couple of hours spent in the company of people whose lives are recognizable from your own .", "looks like a moviemaker stretching in the wrong direction .", "it 's so merchandisable that i look for a direct-to-video sequel , jersey kidz , to hit the shelves next year .", "despite all indications that he would make a fun drinking buddy , ben affleck , teen idol , oscar-winning screenwriter , ca n't act his way out of a paper bag .", "MOV does have two reasons to see it , and their names are liv tyler and george carlin .", "-lsb- on raquel castro -rsb- if her career is half as successful as those of similarly talented kids christina ricci and kirsten dunst , she 'll be quite the sensation .", "kevin smith 's safest movie to date , but italso his most adult , an attempt to move beyond the comic book fantasy world in which he has lived for so long and try something new .", "it 's a nicely acted , competently made ` dramatic comedy ' that might disappoint rabid smith fans but is still a cut above the average hollywood sugar-fest . worth seeing .", "the ` grown-up ' kevin smith exhibits greater ambition , but he 's not quite so much fun .", "the fact that ben affleck is required to emote should have been a warning sign to all involved with this project", "surprisingly unannoying ...", "sometimes charming but frustratingly hackneyed exploration of the relationship between father and daughter .", "a delightful dramedy that is a huge departure from the jay and silent bob antics of his earlier work .", "it 's smith 's embracing of romantic comedy conventions that 's a letdown .", "a more unbearable film than gigli .", "maybe i would have been touched by this film if i had believed in the characters and their situations , but too much feels forced and scripted , the clear product of a writer 's keyboard .", "has characters explain transparent motivations , to convince the gullible that the feelings here are real .", "lacks the edginess and desperation that personified kevin smith 's earlier works .", "you might think you 're trapped in a ` bachelor father ' marathon ... though it 's hardly ` gigli ' redux , it 's so mercilessly sweet and cloying that it might make you gagli .", "a kevin smith movie in all its over-written , half-baked smugness , now with a thin shellac of honey-glaze .", "smith trades in oral sex jokes and edgy writing on relationships for the high-concept and overearnest melodrama of MOV .", "where are jay and silent bob when we really need them ?", "smith 's idea of ` maturity ' feels a lot like a ` very special episode ' of a television sitcom . MOV is competent , gummy and bland .", "corny , predictable and lousily directed , but kevin smith still has an original voice that can be faintly heard in there somewhere .", "kevin smith would have made fun of a movie like this ten years ago !", "the problem is the subject matter : a cozy ode to fatherhood with a maudlin audacity that would make dickens blush .", "the gags involve such things as ben affleck struggling to change a diaper . if this had n't been done so throroughly in three men and a baby , it might have been funny .", "it feels like one of cinema 's most brutally funny voices is choking on his own syrup .", "retains much of smith 's astute , irreverent dialog , but once the plot kicks in , it simply stops dead in its tracks .", "MOV might not be kevin smith 's most original movie , but it 's daring all the same .", "... a lightweight , but enjoyable valentine to family values and the garden state", "the film weaves an intriguing story about a single dad .", "like in all of smith 's films , the dialogue is wonderful and realistic , but also consistent with smith 's other films , there are times when the momentum does n't hold up .", "MOV , for all its quirks , is a feel-good movie that will leave you with a smile and a lot of warm fuzzies .", "while the mixed results are n't enough to clearly indicate whether there 's a place in the world for the work of a maturing , more thoughtful silent bob , the film does have its strengths ." ], "summary": "a surprisingly conventional romantic comedy from kevin smith , MOV is warm but often overly sentimental", "id": "10653" }, { "movie": "good_thief", "reviews": [ "it 's a sticky-suave erotic portrait of a man swaggering his way to the bottom of the proverbial barrel .", "there 's a sad , compulsive , edge-of-the-abyss desperation to nick nolte 's intuitive and informed performance ...", "this is a movie for which you want to give an award to the casting director , susie figgis .", "we came , we saw , we forgot . plenty of smoke but no fire in ` the MOV '", "with his haggard good looks and bearish presence , nolte is the main event in this colorful three-ring circus of a heist picture .", "-lsb- nolte -rsb- could not be cast more perfectly .", "a stunning intro for a georgian -lrb- russia -rrb- beauty whose tantalizing assuredness is a major contribution to the movie . men will swoon -lrb- and write rhapsodically -rrb- for this engaging seductress ...", "the south of france has rarely looked so grim and inviting as it does in neil jordan 's new film , the MOV .", "if director neil jordan was going for criminal cool , he hit the jackpot with the MOV .", "jordan has made a film that is both traditional enough to hold those moviegoers who do n't catch its kickiness , and cinematic enough to hook those in thrall of ` camera art . '", "a darker , french version of ocean 's 11 , without the stars and without the subtitles .", "-lsb- t -rsb- here probably is n't another actor in the world better suited to play a substance-abusing , world-weary charmer than nick nolte .", "the heist is the story 's spine , the melody . but what 's really interesting are the solo flights that branch off and the filigrees that embellish it .", "a sparkling exercise in movie cool .", "a diamond in the rough , just like nolte and the character he rode in on .", "the MOV is spry , quirky , morose , entertaining , tedious , slow , loose and quotable . in a word : it 's uneven .", "nolte is perfectly cast as this charming loser . the problem is , he knows it .", "blurry , opiated , jagged with melancholy and stone cold beautiful .", "jordan delivers easily his most satisfying work since 1992 's the crying game .", "... a shambling , dope-addled cousin to ocean 's eleven , one in which everyone smokes a lot and hangs out with prostitutes .", "great fun despite its deficiency as a presumed thriller .", "nolte 's performance is riveting .", "if nick nolte had been looking for excuses when he was arrested , he might have told the officers he was still in character from ` thief ' ...", "the MOV is n't neil jordan at his best , but it 's very good indeed , and certainly more generally accessible than the admittedly brilliant the butcher boy or the flawed in dreams .", "the marriage of hollywood-friendly plotting and independent style make -lsb- the MOV -rsb- the perfect vehicle to better the industry . it 's easy to see general audiences , even young ones , thrilling over the deft storytelling , and once you 're exposed t", "mr. jordan has lovingly recreated much of what glittered in the hard french thrillers that once starred delon and belmondo , and provided a superbly customized vehicle for the salty charms of ashtray-voiced nick nolte .", "it 's the sort of the film that still makes it worthwhile to go to the movies .", "nolte speaks in a voice stained by years of watered-down drinks and hard drugs and moves with the unsteadiness and pride of a wild animal that escaped a hunter 's trap but still bears the scars .", "the truth about charlie nolte .", "the film had a natural rhythm that was almost musical .", "it 's a triumph of flourish , all weathered , movie-star - size gestures .", "it 's a special triumph for nolte .", "a shaggy , sun-soaked variation on the glistening bob le flambeur .", "it pulses with erudition and visual kicks , but has the dulled impact of a time-sensitive bottled message that has washed ashore years too late to be of any practical use .", "the MOV has the restless motion one associates with cinematographer chris menges ... and the casual joyousness of a work made out of sheer movie love .", "reworking the 1955 french film bob le flambeur , director neil jordan has crafted a classic of his own .", "looks and feels like a tom waits song sounds .", "wo n't be remembered as a classic , but it 's a fine imitation .", "-lrb- nolte -rrb- was knocking at death 's door but paused long enough ... for a police department mug shot . who knew his next picture could be worse ?", "rumpled and dissolute , nolte shambles through this gracefully atmospheric crime film with a cool poignancy that verges on the comic .", "we have another -- no , the best -- of jordan 's valentines to outsider archetypes besmirched by eccentric dreams of beauty and transcendence from a glamorized but fatal low-life milieu .", "it 's a heist film with a muddled plot , a character study with no personality .", "-lsb- stretches -rsb- like a sleek black cat in the sun , -lsb- and -rsb- it pounces with all the stealth and surprise of that cat , too .", "nolte 's performance is one of his best , and a perfect fit for the movie 's bittersweet mix of youthful peril and an old man 's regrets .", "this is a heist movie that 's more interested in exploring its players than in impressing -lrb- or annoying -rrb- the audience with its cleverness , and therein lies its appeal .", "it 's as french as a half-smoked gauloise and , like a half-smoked gauloise , it stinks .", "as you might expect , the film has a distinctly european feel , despite the presence of the wonderfully , wildly eccentric nolte . and the combination is invigorating .", "an enjoyable watch for anyone looking to score some ` nolte ' for the night .", "the times have passed this sort of film by .", "bob is a marvelous creation -- a faker who is also the genuine article .", "even with the drugs and the gambling and a host of oddballs who are thankfully never romanticized to the point of nausea , the film is ultimately much too sanitary for its own good .", "it 's all pizzazz , and the pizzazz is all borrowed .", "as heist movies -- and remakes -- go , it 's a standout .", "it is a decidedly mixed bag .", "practically entertaining , assuming you 're interested in seeing a slightly more indie , slightly more international , slightly less fun version of ocean 's 11 .", "an easygoing charmer ... the point is n't the plot , but the people and the style . and in this respect ` the MOV ' succeeds nicely .", "it 's the kinkiest cast of the year , and everyone works .", "you ca n't fake self-confidence , but `` the MOV '' tries so hard to do so that it ends up an endearing movie as well as a curiously empty one . i mean , you got ta love its effort .", "few actors will command my butt into a theater seat like nolte does , and his latest should prove a huge treat to those who feel the same .", "playing a down and out american expatriate gambler , strung out on heroin in the early going and planning his last great heist by the film 's midpoint , nolte gives another effortlessly honest performance .", "the film does n't lack for the elements of success , but as so often happens with the heists themselves , nothing works out as planned .", "chock full of wit and snappy lines ... it has a romantic tilt all its own .", "you do n't always know what 's going on , but it 's fun to watch anyway .", "jordan returns to the demimonde -- and the more personal style of filmmaking -- of his earlier triumphs , such as mona lisa and the crying game .", "-lsb- neil -rsb- jordan may hold the title and registration , but nolte is definitely behind the wheel ... a highly enjoyable heist flick that 's light on genre cliches", "extremely smart and cleverly crafted , this heist movie set on the french riviera will keep you guessing even when you already know the outcome .", "it 's vibrant , tremendously exciting , and done with a wit , feeling and panache that keep your mind and senses in constant overdrive .", "terrific performance by nolte but poorly executed heist .", "like the MOV himself , jordan turns out to be too clever by half , organizing a caper that 's noisy and flashy where subtlety and moodiness would be far more effective .", "it 's thin movie tinsel that , while lovingly polished , never becomes more than tinsel .", "a heist movie without a thrilling heist is obviously in trouble ...", "outside of nick nolte 's performance , the rest of the film is a by the numbers heist drama", "nolte 's hard lived , leather-lined face looks like a muncie road map , and fits robber bob to each crease .", "while jordan 's repeated freeze-frames try a little too hard for nonchalance , the overall cocktail of gallic insouciance and american film noir grit delivers such relaxant properties you forgive a few foibles .", "when it comes to movies about one last , high-stakes score , nolte in the MOV pales next to gene hackman 's low-keyed brilliance in heist .", "the best and most enjoyable english-language crime picture since jackie brown .", "ao contr\u0431rio do impec\u0431vel anti-her\u0443i do original , nick nolte confere vulnerabilidade ao protagonista e , no processo , leva esta refilmagem a superar a produ\u0437\u0433o de 1955 .", "es casi una pel\u043dcula hecha por divertimento , lo cual no est\u0431 nada mal , pero no hay que pedirle mucho m\u0431s que eso .", "watching an actor at the top of his game is a pleasure even if the film is only good , not great .", "a fine film : jordan creates the seedy ambience and nolte provides the complex performance that together carry this film through a few minor rough patches .", "discount its distinctly casual approach to the mechanics of a multi-million euro robbery , and it 's not bad at all .", "the MOV has a shambling grace to it , both jazzy and gritty at the same time .", "though the movie is not spectacular , it is effective enough to warrant watching it , and pays off well enough to justify the attention it requires .", "with its noir , european genes ... -lsb- it 's -rsb- the good oil on good heist movies .", "cool to the bone , a stylish and slick heist film that 's also a deep character study and a beautiful tribute to the french riviera .", "takes some of the big clich\u0439s of contemporary moviemaking and makes them feel graceful , if not always profound .", "if you 're into crime capers , this one is above average .", "this is not a movie that anyone would steal ... -lsb- a -rsb- superficially pleasing work that a single good night 's sleep can erase from memory .", "-lsb- has -rsb- a heavier and more distinct feel that most caper films , but like a lot of recent movies , it tries to disguise its thin story with uselessly convoluted plotting .", "the irish filmmaker takes melville 's gallic masterpiece about a gallant montmartre gambler and makes it into an ordinary american neo-noir film set in the french riviera .", "in terms of its myriad screen predecessors , it 's still on the high side of ` heist . '", "the MOV is a stylized heist film with an accomplished performance by nick nolte that celebrates the whimsical moves of lady luck in the lives of those who have nothing to lose .", "the MOV plays to nolte 's strengths just as much as the quiet american showcased michael caine 's formidable talents .", "if academy awards voters are still in a forgiving mood next year , nolte deserves a best actor nomination .", "heist movies can be a gamble . if you 're lucky , you hit the jackpot with a stylish , well-plotted winner like ocean 's eleven . other times , you roll snake eyes with convoluted capers like the MOV .", "a solid work of craft that doubles as a little meditation on art .", "jordan 's great strength , as always , is casting . legal troubles aside -- or perhaps because of them -- nolte is a great old soul .", "-lsb- jordan -rsb- paces things at a leisurely lope , the better to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the witty repartee that fills the script .", "this remake of jean-pierre melville 's 1955 bob le flambeur tries for a stylish , shambling grace . but like bob , it ca n't quite get it up .", "irresistibly seductive .", "thanks to jordan 's whip-smart dialogue , chris menges ' dazzling camera work and nolte 's shambling bravura , the MOV is as irresistible as its hero .", "jordan creates a dark fantasy certain to seduce lovers of the cinema of excess .", "there 's a nagging simplicity to jordan 's screenplay keeping the pivotal heist ... from capturing the imagination .", "sadly , the formidably talented jordan has come up with a cheesy euro trash caper , laden with ersatz sophistication and pseudo-style .", "a near miss that is frequently too clever for its own good .", "the grizzled nolte is perfect as the mumbling , stumbling bob .", "-lsb- nolte -rsb- single-handedly rescues this caper flick from its own mediocre storyline .", "... mostly entertaining , if completely forgettable .", "unlike the crispness of the original , the word that best describes this production is lassitude , from characters so tired they ca n't manage to speak intelligibly to the listless caper -lrb- s -rrb- plot that seems doomed from the beginning .", "there 's not much to remember a few days later , but it 's eye candy of a very high order .", "it has enough going for it to earn a recommendation .", "to the extent that it 's a rhapsody on the theme of nick nolte , the MOV has considerable charm .", "a bad movie that careens and kazooms from one moment of flip , empty sophistication to another .", "if the MOV is n't up to the work that inspired it , it 's nevertheless fresh and distinct .", "jordan 's approach assumes a certain intelligence , and attentiveness , in his audience , but his joyride through the french riviera always keeps us belted in .", "-lsb- nolte -rsb- is magnificent -- ravaged , desperate , aware .", "it 's a great surprise that the MOV actually works , leaving melville behind and giving us the vibrant , exciting work of another interesting director , neil jordan .", "whether or not nolte topped up every day on the set , it is clear that he was born to play bob .", "an irish director reconfigures an old french film with an american star and a russian hooker . and it works .", "nolte sounds like a muppet now , and the film itself is n't very engaging .", "neil jordan/nick nolte caper flick is full of european charm , american swagger and far more style than substance .", "observed through the twitchy prism of nolte , this bob offers a brilliant contrast to the original .", "allows cinematographer chris menges to work at his artful best , but in the end it seems as if jordan has turned out a glamorized version of the kind of movies that were terrific partly because they were made on the cheap .", "nolte is not only made for the role , he 's also rehearsed it in real life .", "although there 's enough of a good time in the MOV to merit half a thumb 's up , melville 's film remains the original and jordan 's version very much an over-exuberant replica .", "mr. jordan adeptly keeps the movie saturated in jazzy cool , preserving the original film 's hard-boiled romantic notions of what does and does not make a MOV .", "it 's a sumptuous mood piece ." ], "summary": "bolstered by nolte 's strong performance , the MOV brims with seductive style .", "id": "15478" }, { "movie": "the_overnighters", "reviews": [ "fact and fiction bleed into a sometimes aesthetically questionable , but consistently compelling interrogation of the ever-diminishing space for social ethics and christian-based morality within state-level governmental order .", "moss , who shoots the film himself verit\u00e9-style , gets points for his on-the-ground look at the sacrifices made by those seeking a living -lrb- while leaving families behind -rrb- and at the day-to-day problems raised when merciless economic interests come into play .", "less a simplistic indictment of a small-town small-mindedness ... than an investigation of the double-edged sword that is unexpected prosperity , MOV raises questions that need to be asked without pretending it knows all the answers .", "the thrill of MOV is in witnessing a heartrending payoff that could not be anticipated nor written-and , miraculously , closes the movie on a perfect irony .", "brilliantly develops into a snowballing drama of the human condition .", "the film features stunning third-act revelations that compel viewers to rethink its characters ' actions and motivations .", "a wrenching , all-american tragedy", "MOV is as worthy a case for additional industry across the first world than any political speech .", "this despairing , terrific documentary presents a world where distrust thrives and fresh starts are in short supply .", "MOV is a shattering experience ; a masterwork of unbridled honesty as it delves into the messy ambivalence of regular lives . provocative , unsettling , energizing and immensely sorrowful . an exceptional , haunting film , and one not to be missed .", "i suppose the sign of a good documentary is if it can remind me that my own problems are relatively small and i am very lucky .", "every moment , including a surprise ending , will bring tears to your eyes .", "a painful and poignant excoriation of the american dream .", "is there any small town in america with its name printed on the side of its water tower that is n't going through tough times right now ?", "jesse moss 's tough , absorbing documentary could almost be a modern-day grapes of wrath , all about the us oil industry 's fracking boom in north dakota .", "it 's the rare documentary in which truly unpredictable events unfold and no assumption is safe .", "moss uncovers something greater than a vision of a divided community ; he 's made a drama as prickly and surprising as any fictional character study .", "MOV sounds like the sort of dry news blurb you 'd skim over in the sunday paper , but it unfolds into an epic tragedy .", "jesse moss 's documentary is as compelling and heartrending as any drama .", "the film offers an insightful probe of organized religion and how notions of trust , compassion , forgiveness and redemption sometimes clash with small-town values and contemporary socioeconomic realities .", "acute portraiture - and for a sobering depiction of an america in crisis that looks shockingly close to the desperation of the 1930s .", "if john steinbeck were writing in the second decade of the 21st century , `` MOV '' is precisely the story he 'd want to tell .", "it 's one of those steinbeck-style stories of migrants , poverty , desperation and hope , a heartbreaking picture of men who still believe they are living the american dream in broken-down trailers doing grim , unhealthy jobs .", "moss has put the documentary together in painstaking fashion , somehow managing to be there , filming discreetly , at all the most intimate and climactic moments .", "a quietly fascinating and frequently touching account of one man 's dogged and possibly naive quest to juggle social , professional and familial duties .", "a social-justice documentary that packs a visceral emotional wallop to the heart and mind , MOV could scarcely be more relevant to our stressy , fearful present .", "a classic example of a documentary that discovers its subject in the process of its making .", "MOV is starkly bleak and devastatingly humane , and an indelible american documentary .", "a scenario with present-day echoes of `` the grapes of wrath '' yields perceptive insights into the way we view outsiders .", "-lsb- a -rsb- tough-minded , admirably unresolved film ...", "MOV is , until it falls on its face narratively , a really well-made documentary .", "this is a damning indictment , a modern-day grapes of wrath chronicling nothing short of basic decency 's collapse in a depressed environment of mistrust and unease .", "while `` MOV '' has the feel of an epic , given what an expansive slice of america 's current economic experience it ponders , it 's also a very intimate one .", "filmmaker jesse moss frames his shots beautifully ; the landscapes look like andrew wyeth paintings .", "MOV is a shattering documentary and character study that doubles as a layered exploration of a community 's faith -lrb- and lack thereof -rrb- .", "composed of multiple layers - more than one of which might bring tears to your eyes - this shape-shifting documentary begins as one thing and ends as quite another .", "it develops into a study of obsession , hypocrisy , righteousness and self-doubt , questioning motive and then gob-smacking the audience with the wholly unexpected .", "while initially a gentle interrogation of christian dogma , MOV expands to a larger investigation of altruism and its roots in private psychologies .", "in MOV documentarist jesse moss found his story and pursued it with remarkable empathy , all in the best traditions of the genre .", "moss lets his characters and their stories unfold , crafting a film from them intuitively through the right interview questions and the art of editing , but never placing a narrative on it that feels forced .", "one of the most potent examples of cin\u00e9ma v\u00e9rit\u00e9 to arrive in recent years , jesse moss 's `` MOV '' transcends the genre with a multifaceted examination of complex social issues facing the town of williston , north dakota .", "an existentially probing documentary with more layers than a twisty hollywood thriller , at turns inspiring , challenging , sobering and finally devastating .", "has been described as a 21st-century ` the grapes of wrath , ' but its plot twists are of the type that might have caused tom joad to hightail it back to oklahoma .", "this story , touching many social issues , is told on a very personal level . there is an extraordinary revelation near the end of the film . it is as if it was written by a great screenwriter , but instead , it is real life . amazing .", "moss was basically a one-man production crew , which explains how he was able to film such intimate , painful conversations . his work is haunting - one of the best documentaries of the year .", "moss is an incredibly sympathetic filmmaker , and his master stroke is to structure MOV as a portrait of both an individual and a community .", "MOV , an ambitious documentary about the plight of the working class directed , produced , and photographed by jesse moss , is one of the trickiest nonfiction films to emerge in quite some time .", "MOV is the kind of film that asks us to forget abstraction -- to instead remember the details .", "the movie might seem like just another liberal do-gooder profile , yet a shocker ending throws new and disturbing light on the situation , amplifying the christian themes at the heart of the story .", "moss films this tale of economic anxiety and almost pathological compassion with an uncomfortable intensity . his camera captures hushed conversations , spilled secrets and moral trespasses with barely a flinch .", "`` MOV '' is commendable for many reasons , not the least of which is the way it allows complex issues to remain complex . there is a clear conflict between the pastor and the town , but there 's no good vs. evil .", "so much of `` MOV '' tells all sorts of truths , and moss earned the trust of his subjects , whatever they might think of the result .", "it would be a fascinating-enough doc , until a shocking third-act revelation brings it to another level .", "assured , brilliant , compassionate filmmaking .", "full of ambush , surprise , illumination , it 's a total corker . and moss and his camera , somehow , are there every time a new bottle of truth is opened , with a gush , a pop or an explosion .", "moss uses images of drill towers or blistering flame as visual metaphors for other things transpiring on screen : the fracturing of a family , the heated fury that comes with a sense of betrayal .", "demands a rewatch , and is so stuffed with incident that someone should remake it into an overcooked , americana melodrama .", "moss allows the natural facets of this story to shine through , creating a gem of a documentary that 's raw , honest and brutally relevant .", "an urgent portrait of compassion under fire .", "a boldly provocative tale of flawed humanity and hardship .", "long before this unexpected development , MOV has established its credentials as a beautifully crafted , multi-layered piece of storytelling , and as an important snapshot of the new great depression .", "a documentary that reflects a perfect storm of american social and economic problems .", "a sobering must-see , MOV speaks to the eternal dilemma of doing the right thing in a community beset by suspicion and fear .", "through patience , skill , discretion , and trust , jesse moss has taken a seemingly small town story and turned it into both a microcosm of today 's most urgent issues and a portrait of a single suffering soul ." ], "summary": "hard-hitting , absorbing , and painfully relevant , MOV offers an urgent and compassionate picture of life in 21st century america .", "id": "771371893" }, { "movie": "certified_copy", "reviews": [ "kiarostami has become the new kieslowski , an emigrant to western europe whose pretentiousness embarrasses the whole concept of art cinema-as proven by MOV .", "what is cinema but an elaborate simulation that , in the hands of an artist , mines real truth from fiction ? by that criterion , MOV is indeed the genuine article .", "an exhibition in arthouse for arthouse 's sake , MOV does n't do enough to draw a second glance from lovers of the movement nor mainstream cinemagoers alike .", "this deceptively slim film might not be kiarostami at his most heavyweight , but it 's a rewarding and mischievous slice of cerebral entertainment .", "MOV is something unique to kiarostami 's career , bringing to mind an adjective i never thought i 'd append to him : adorable .", "ultimately , the film 's slow-building , eventually overwhelming emotional pull gives MOV its shape and pace .", "after years of working on photography , poetry and more experimental films , abbas kiarostami makes an engaging return to narrative cinema in a delicate , bittersweet comedy set in romantic italy .", "more compelling as an intellectual exercise than an emotional one .", "initially puzzling , this toying with , mixing of , fact and fiction takes getting used to . it 's for the patient few who can discuss it for long afterwards .", "a thought-provoking romantic drama about the mysteries of love and the formidable challenges of marriage .", "has the appeal of a middle-aged before sunrise .", "in this gracefully understated setting , juliette binoche delivers an acting master class .", "it may be merely a copy of life , but in its power , mystery , confusion and emotional resonance , ` it leads us to the original . '", "kiarostami is quick to stimulate the mind but not the heart ; as a result he never finds a comfortable balance between intellect and emotion , leaving copie conforme feeling chilly and distant .", "binoche and shimell keep us fully engaged with their characters throughout their conversations , and kiarostami draws us in with his signature mixture of long takes and intimate close-ups", "abbas kiarostami 's tuscan sun-dappled enigma is the cinematic gift that is going to keep on giving for decades .", "MOV reminded me why i love movies .", "while the people those characters encounter readily buy into their story as moviegoers ordinarily would , mr. kiarostami invites his viewers to second-guess his film and their own perceptions .", "tal vez intentar buscar respuestas a tantas preguntas sea no s\u00f3lo una p\u00e9rdida de tiempo sino contradecir el discurso sin ataduras que nos propone kiarostami , lleno de interrogantes que no pretenden ser respondidas .", "kiarostami has woven together a veritable tapestry of the mind : here a stray thought , there an oft-disputed theory .", "i could assess the performances -lrb- juliette binoche is better than ever -rrb- . ... but i ca n't treat MOV with a critic 's typical detachment . i 'm in love with it .", "... impossibly romantic .", "broadly a two-hander , kiarostami 's film touches on love , marriage and art , feeling at times like a dry seminar .", "beautiful , elegant , sharp -- just not as much as it thinks it is .", "persistently baffling , contrived , and often simply bizarre -- a highbrow misfire of the most peculiar sort .", "while it would be wrong to classify MOV as a complete disappointment , it is hard to imagine there being much of an audience for a high-falutin ' film with nothing much to say .", "for a film that demands so much audience involvement , it somehow also effortlessly sweeps the viewer away .", "there are times when binoche 's enthusiastic embrace of this conceit verges on the loopy , but at least she is entertaining , as well as energetic , her aim being to encompass 15 years of marriage in one afternoon .", "MOV can be seen as a critique of the romantic film genre , as a slap in the face to an audience expecting an ` original ' story and as a hearty post-modern poke to the concept of originality in general .", "abbas kiarostami 's MOV is exactly that : the iranian modernist 's first feature to be shot in the west is a flawless riff on our indigenous art cinema .", "this may infuriate some . it delighted me . others might find the whole idea , well , pretentious . it 's not .", "paced like a turtle race , with all the plot of a one-line synopsis ... banal and pointless ... like the chatter of pompous university professors .", "MOV begins as one film and ends as another entirely ... how rare it is to be taken on a genuine ride by a movie ; to follow a path shrouded in mystery , one that is unpredictable at every turn and still intriguing after the credits roll .", "a carefully crafted work that contemplates the memories we choose to treasure and those we choose to forget .", "an esoteric , sometimes stubbornly paced slice-of-life that recalls a middle-aged before sunset , MOV is an almost-love story that ultimately drifts between moments of magnetism and tedium .", "both extremely boring and utterly fascinating ...", "the movie 's strengths are a teasing script and binoche 's chameleon-emotioned performance , which won the best actress prize at cannes .", "if there 's a problem with the film , it 's the idea that two people would instinctively choose to immerse themselves in unbroken role play .", "an exceptional film that plays with what is real and what is imagination .", "a reflective and thoughtful film . it plays even better in hindsight", "offers a shambling , multilingual discourse on the nature of art and the nature of marriage .", "a masterpiece , and kiarostami 's best film since the wind will carry us -lrb- 1999 -rrb- .", "full review at movies for the masses", "fifteen years of marriage artfully compressed into a one-day road trip and a 106-minute film .", "the romantic fable of love , marriage , art and second chances may not add up to all that much but the journey is exquisite .", "MOV is meant to be a stimulating philosophical experience . it succeeds sporadically .", "an egalitarian experience that is at once experimental and recognisably real .", "elegantly shot and precisely framed , iranian director kiarostami 's first european film is a playful meditation on art and life , realism and role-playing , original art and fakery , boasting a luminous performance by juliette binoche .", "this is one of the great films about film , a master class in performance and character and narrative .", "a film like MOV explodes truisms about acting . actors may be copying real people , but they also are real people ; and while most people do n't appear in movies , human beings are constantly acting .", ". the basic plot - a man and a woman traveling and talking - is reminiscent of richard linklater 's before sunrise/before sunset films , but the way in which MOV calls into question the nature of reality is more akin to inception .", "the best way to look at this is as an acting exercise . as long as your patience holds , it 's mildly diverting .", "spoken in three different languages , with various coffee , wine , and bread products consumed by the characters , it satisfies on almost every level .", "sophisticated aspirations are realized without strain", "were it not for the transcendent presence of binoche -lrb- and her transfixing cleavage -rrb- , i suspect MOV might feel even more like homework .", "if the term `` arthouse '' usually makes you cringe , -lsb- ... -rsb- you 'd better stop reading this and see what else is playing .", "so absorbing a work of such obvious mastery on all levels that one comes away immediately certain that the medium has just clicked up another notch .", "... an elliptical , unresolved story that may frustrate those who want all accounts balanced by the end of the day .", "it 's like watching the two halves of blue valentine playing simultaneously .", "the only thing i can say for certain is that we can put our trust in the hands of a master filmmaker like kiarostami , who engages the mind at the same time he pierces the heart . `` MOV '' is the real deal .", "the movie threatens to become a sketch about a coquette and a boor squabbling at each other to little effect .", "for anyone with an appreciation for such things , `` MOV '' is a mental workout of the most invigorating sort .", "i believe the movie is ambiguous on purpose . the director is having fun playing games with the underlying reality . this bizarre highbrow film is strictly geared for art houses . it is instantly forgettable , but binoche gives an amazing performance .", "a captivating arthouse pic that explores how the truth , like art , is always open to interpretation .", "prompts many questions about the true nature of art and love , not all of them answered .", "it 's fascinating , entertaining , strangely romantic .", "this one practically screams `` foreign film '' ... and that 's a good thing .", "an arid , enigmatic oddity ... more an act of cinematic provocation than an affecting drama .", "one of those films that 's a joy to watch and even more of a joy to think about afterward . it 's an amazing film that will stay with you for days , if not weeks .", "the conclusion is abrupt and unsatisfying , but the philosophical dialogue kiarostami manages to keep aloft for well over an hour touches on intriguing questions of openness , self-honesty , and personal freedom .", "a playful , sun-kissed musing on the blurring of art and life , artifice and reality .", "there 's a divinely comical lightness to binoche here : even in states of conniption and complaint , she 's floating , albeit manically .", "suggests a master filmmaker comfortable in his themes and his artistry .", "MOV may represent a return of sorts for kiarostami , to a film that more resembles traditional narrative storytelling -- but the structural daring typical of the director 's work over the last decade is still front and center .", "although clever , well acted , and full of nicely photographed mirrors , this feels more like an acting exercise than a genuine movie .", "a spectacularly adroit and daring piece of cinematic legerdemain , abbas kiarostami 's `` MOV '' may be too clever for its own good .", "think before sunrise but more snobbishly aware of its own fancy pedigree .", "`` MOV '' promises more than it delivers , but the limited portions are fresh .", "a remarkable meditation on the meaning of art , love , history , and the definition of reality .", "MOV is a slighter but more ingratiating film and a chance to see a master filmmaker in uncharacteristic playful mode .", "MOV is a fraud as a film . it is intellectually stimulating but ultimately empty . i recommend it for cinephiles but only as an academic exercise , not as a potentially profound experience .", "`` MOV '' plays out like variations on a theme , presenting various interactions between two smart people who are attracted to each other and know how to push each other 's buttons .", "a film about people discussing people , which attempts to do something different ? believe it - or not .", "` my dinner with andre ' morphs into ` last year at marienbad . '", "in the end , no matter who these characters are to each other , they 've grown to mean something to us . their emotions are true .", "MOV is a genuine triumph .", "kiarostami 's inverted approach to the dissection of a marriage recalls other films , like harold pinter 's `` betrayal '' ...", "considers what 's real between two people , and if it should bother us when reality becomes replaced with a copy .", "o que importa de fato \u0439 a percep\u0437\u0433o que temos da obra -lrb- ou , no caso , dos personagens -rrb- e a maravilhosa reflex\u0433o que esta nos inspira .", "the iranian-writer director abbas kiarostami has always been enthralled by the shifting planes of fantasy and reality . his latest film , MOV , is his fullest expression of that entrancement .", "a film as audacious and radical as any likely to see theaters this year .", "like before sunrise , this film follows two people as they roam through a setting that 's foreign to both of them . but since this is an italian-french film by an iranian filmmaker , it 's also oddly playful and provocative .", "kiarostami keeps us guessing , while binoche drives the movie with a performance that earned her cannes ' best actress award .", "when you see juliette binoche , in front of you , looking happy , you truly know what it is to have such a person looking back happily at you . that 's worth a dozen dumb rom-coms .", "an elegant , erudite , existential romantic fable about middle-aged second chances .", "kiarostami never completely spells things out , assuming audiences can think for themselves and appreciate all the film 's subtleties and reverberations . let 's hope he 's right .", "kiarostami is playing with us . that he does it so well is a consolation .", "it is a calm sort of dream , a serious work about love and truth and fraudulence and authenticity done with a mysteriously light touch .", "a brilliant , endlessly fascinating work .", "the film is the work of abbas kiarostami -- one of the foremost artists and greatest directors of our time -- and this is the first movie he 's directed outside of iran .", "a feast for the eyes and a narrative that refuses to give itself away .", "good questions for love and art , and people who do n't mind a movie that feels like an essay .", "deceptively simple , but very well done .", "kiarostami has a wonderful star in juliette binoche and an interesting find in william shimell , a british opera singer making his dramatic-film debut .", "MOV hits on all levels , offering a movie that 's just as complex formally as it is emotionally .", "an astonishingly multilayered portrait of a romantic relationship that doubles as a commentary on the value of reproductions - and , thus , the cinema itself .", "abbas kiarostami 's MOV does n't defy you to understand it , and yet it feels almost inappropriate , tasteless even , to do so-as if you were eavesdropping on a private conversation .", "MOV plays like an exercise , and one whose talky script should have been tightened , but it 's a provocative and strikingly shot one .", "quietly engrossing and fascinating with well-nuanced performances by juliette binoche and william shimell .", "a uniquely cinematic landmark", "despite its modernist sensibility , there is little reason to be intimidated , unless you find the character of james abhorrent .", "like its central couple , the film is a volatile mix of the studied and deeply felt .", "MOV is not a film viewers will like , but one to be watched and re-watched , sipped like bitter wine and mulled over in the solitary moments of a single , tuscan afternoon .", "it is literate and engrossing , with excellent performances by binoche , who won the best-actress prize last year at cannes , and shimell , in his screen debut .", "abbas kiarostami , juliette binoche , and tuscany : the movie MOV had me at hello .", "abbas kiarostami deconstructs the cinematic art form in this cerebral but dialogue-heavy film featuring a luminous juliette binoche .", "abbas kiarostami 's romantic reverie presents an emotionally transcendent experience .", "a film in the form of a question , but my , how lovely the inquiry is .", "simultaneously frustrating and fascinating .", "what a winding , beguiling film abbas kiarostami has made ." ], "summary": "the main stars are absolutely perfect in this absorbing , existential drama that dissects human relationships .", "id": "771042185" }, { "movie": "foxcatcher", "reviews": [ "it 's smart , insightful and frightening , featuring three of the year 's best and most complex performances .", "i just hope that people realize its hidden virtues , the ones that dig a little deeper than its `` true story '' and carell 's makeup .", "... tautly acted but dramatically deficient", "if i had to make a list of movies i 'm saddest about not having liked , this would rank near the top .", "MOV might just be the feel-bad movie of the year . but it 's so well-acted that audiences wo n't want to miss its dark , chilling yet restrained story .", "it 's about manhood and about lost men , about people needing to find something , anything , at any cost .", "simultaneously understated and grippingly edgy , this is an arresting examination of naivete , mismatched worlds and old-fashioned american oddness .", "beautifully acted and impeccably mounted , it is light on historical details and heavy on atmosphere , character and chintz .", "we expect expert acting from ruffalo , and we get it , but the secret hero of `` MOV '' - and the performance you keep coming back to - is channing tatum as mark , a lost boy in the skin of a brute .", "MOV is an arresting look the pitfalls of the american dream . steve carrell mesmerizes .", "the year 's best cast , including a phenomenal carell , makes up for slow pacing in the latest drama from the director of `` capote . ''", "a moody piece , without enough mood . it needs to be more ominous and foreboding .", "the movie 's remote tone is occasionally frustrating but it feels appropriate because , unlike a more overtly sentimental film , it leaves plenty of room for the audience to respond .", "it 's too bad then that the film ... does n't live up to carell 's memorable performance . as chilly as du pont 's mansion on a winter 's night , MOV never quite comes together .", "MOV crystallizes miller 's technique and concerns the way a dip in the temperature turns free-flowing water into hard-edged ice , as great performances and skillful technique transform history and tragedy into strong , striking art .", "`` MOV '' is a warped , oppressive landmark .", "plays like a slow-motion wrestling bout , the characters edging and circling each other , occasionally finding an emotional grip before sliding apart to re-assess the stakes and manoeuvre positions .", "dark , often unsettling material and the tone is ominous , almost suffocatingly so , from start to finish -- but the performances are stellar .", "steve carell gives a surprising performance in `` MOV . '' the comic actor shows his dramatic chops in an awesome way .", "miller has a keen eye for examining the intersection of class , money and ambition . the screenplay compresses the timeline , moves key scenes around , and favors character over action , but it absolutely stays focused on these difficult larger themes .", "it `` s remarkable to see this movie turn a lurid murder into a takedown of the myths we americans like to tell ourselves .", "the movie remains fascinating because of the fine performances of the three key characters and the mystery of what is happening in du pont 's head .", "MOV pins the viewer to the mat with its emotionally bruising tale of class , ambition and the pursuit of sporting excellence .", "here is a movie that regards people with sympathetic gazes rather than details , fully aware how all things will pan out but fascinated enough by the inner-workings of flawed psyches to keep our eyes watching on in sobering deliberation .", "a pensive and unsettling film that defies genre description and keeps you wondering just what the heck sort of film you 're watching .", "acting helps elevate weighty tale of wrestlers and rich men", "there are many elements to this true story about wealth , wrestling and winning but it is steve carell 's extraordinary metamorphose as the creepy john e. du pont , complete with unsettling gaze and manner that is the film 's most haunting element", "while lacking transparency at times and perhaps authenticity , it 's the moments of greatness and the quality of the actors which take home the gold .", "it 's a film of deceptive power ; its effect is gradual and incremental .", "a conduit to examine the hubris of america , and the fallout of never living up to the potential of a greatness that may have never existed", "a compelling , quietly disturbing drama about sport , wealth , lost manhood , mother issues and murder .", "with MOV , bennett miller has made an unsettling but memorable piece of cinema .", "a bit too icy , distant , and austere to qualify as a movie one would `` love , '' MOV is still a remarkably engrossing film .", "an extremely cold , creepy and brilliant examination of the spookiest edges of the male psyche .", "steve carell , mark ruffalo and channing tatum give superb performances in bennett miller 's powerfully disturbing true-crime saga .", "we leave the theater with a queasy feeling , as if we 've stayed too long at a peep show .", "an absorbing and poignant work yet also wearisome and drawn-out , with moments of ho-hum snail pacing matched by even more moments of masterful brilliance .", "MOV , with its layered performances and emotionally precise storytelling , is a riveting drama that leaves you spellbound and more than a little shaken .", "carell is mesmerizing but nominations should also go to tatum for an equally vanity-free performance . the acting succeeds while the story lacks a more in-depth study of a very complex relationship .", "the triumph of MOV is not in the subject but in its art . the clear-eyed compassion and moral intelligence of miller 's film brings sense to the senseless , and finds the human pulse behind the tabloid shock .", "what miller and his team have wrought with MOV is a spellbinding portrait of desire and loneliness , which so often manifests itself in hollow victories and violent acts .", "the movie 's bouts are hobbesian-nasty , brutish , and short - and who wins has little or nothing to do with the olympic virtues preached every four years . by the end , it 's evident that the filmmakers feel the same way about the american class system .", "on the whole , MOV is a very intense and suspenseful film that builds to its act of madness-miller gets more out of the previously spudlike channing tatum than any previous director .", "carell is immersed in the role , completely convincing . tatum also is outstanding .", "is n't interested in speed , just character , and it achieves a stunning depiction of obsession and jealousy , punctuated by a devastating true-crime conclusion .", "plays like a mega-ponderous , aggressively prestigious chunk of awards bait - like , say , bennett miller 's ` capote ' - spliced with an awkward yukfest .", "transformative performances in service of a subtle shot at how the in-bred one percent truly regard everybody else", "it 's a technical wonder , which makes it all the the more disappointing that the film is never willing to go to the mat with a story that is n't so much about economics as it is a study of ambition driven by obsession .", "you want to know where it 's headed . but the movie is so chiseled down and sculpted that even once it gets there -lrb- you know when -rrb- , it 's unclear that it 's earned it .", "this film is too subtle-and , frankly , too strange-to explicitly make some simple , overarching , grandiose statement . and yet , it gets at the complicated , unresolved nature of american life almost subliminally .", "the pieces of something important are here - there 's ego and greed and desperation , the essential ingredients of the american tragedy - but none of it fits together .", "it is , in many ways , beautifully made , giving its scenes the time to unfold , holding its shots patiently , showing , not telling . and the performances live up to this approach .", "MOV is one of the bleakest visions ever about the american dream in a mainstream movie .", "while not a twist in the traditional sense , the sudden conclusion - which , just like real life , does not provide a motive - allows `` MOV '' to stay with you , forcing you to process and rethink what came before .", "featuring three fine performances and intriguing , coldly effective storytelling , MOV is compulsory viewing for genre fans .", "if you 're willing to be thrown for a loop , you 're in good hands with this medal-worthy cast and crew .", "MOV is too cold of a movie to love , but that chilliness is intentional and transfixing , a parable about the darkest corners of the minds of damaged men that dares to whisper instead of shout .", "steve carell is mesmerizing in bennett miller 's dark , downer of a drama .", "watch this film for the performances : tatum and ruffalo finding new ground in familiar personas ; carell immersing himself into the mindset of a troubled man ...", "art can shape the truth in ways that resonate beyond the obvious . regrettably , the truth-shaping here grapples for significance , without any apparent aim .", "quietly but firmly interprets the disturbing story of millionaire john du pont through bifocal lenses of american dreaming and the sexual fantasies made accessible by wealth .", "but the warmth and happiness of dave 's family life is as alien to john as the older schultz 's refusal to take his money . and even dave 's understanding only goes so far .", "tense , well-acted tale of real-life psychological drama .", "it 's rare to see an american movie that explores , let alone acknowledges , the class system in this country , or one that gets so far inside the abyss of the ethic that drives so many men to succeed -- and to implode when they do n't .", "as always , -lrb- bennett -rrb- miller exhibits observant , masterful control as director and coaxes excellent work from his great cast . but i found the screenplay problematic in terms of failing to provide much psychological insight .", "an expressionistic rumination on a society rotting under the weight of delusional , media-fed and pop culturally-promulgated notions of who we are and what we should be .", "two great performances and one big fake nose anchor this chilly tale of murder .", "miller uses three superb performances to take us deep into a privileged world where the choreographed struggle of wrestling mixes toxically with the psychological struggles of familial disappointment .", "a beautiful , deep , psychological thriller that comes together with fantastic performances .", "-lcb- video essay -rsb- `` MOV '' is a movie that functions on multiple levels to observe how the american elite use and abuse power toward the destruction of everything it touches .", "simply put , this is well-done filmmaking with some extraordinary performances .", "there 's plenty of subtly handled excess to hold you aghast-and whichever way you slice , i maintain that yes , it is the damnedest sports movie you 've ever seen .", "a glacial , passive drama where true emotions seethe beneath a surface of calm - until they can be contained no more .", "it 's hard to take your eyes off carell , compellingly creepy as someone who 's grown up under a withering gaze , and whose effortful self-containment is undermined by that dangerous flicker in his eyes .", "carell delivers a commanding , unnerving portrayal of a man with cold , dead eyes and a matching heart who watches over his underlings with the predatory gaze of an eagle .", "MOV is a calamitous tale , told with unforgettable performances and a melancholic restraint .", "no matter the theme , movies lately nearly always touch on workplace brutality or the lack of work at all . but for a change MOV names names , connecting chilling capitalist noir multi-millionaire murder at home , to us crimes against humanity abroad .", "director bennett miller continues to skilfully probe around the edges of true stories with this follow-up to capote and moneyball , although this is a much , much darker tale .", "the film wrestles with emotions more than bodies , and offers a harrowing examination of power , wealth , and the american dream .", "it wants to make big statements about america and do it in a quiet voice , and is about class distinctions and the assumed privileges that money brings with it .", "director bennett miller -lrb- `` capote , '' `` moneyball '' -rrb- has a fascinating story here and he knows it .", "with a tip of the hat in the direction of langston hughes , let it be noted that MOV is n't so much a study of a dream deferred but of the american dream deferred .", "carell 's acting has been rightly praised , though it consists mostly of staring at people with an unfathomable , piercing gaze ; miller aims for maximum creepiness , and carell delivers it .", "seated firmly in the center are a trio of dazzling performances from channing tatum , steve carell , and mark ruffalo , all of which make a compelling case for their career best works .", "MOV does not invoke ideas beyond the real-life story of du pont and the schultzes , thus depressing its audience without offering any compensating lessons .", "ruffalo , well-known as an actor 's actor , will get the critical praise , but tatum is just as strong , moving with the skill of a trained dancer .", "the result is a well-made film that is emotionally distant , even as you can sense why a guy like mark might fall for du pont 's overtures and feel betrayed by them at the same time .", "in more ways than one , `` MOV '' is a movie-an enthralling enigma of a movie-about control .", "MOV is a supremely well-acted and well-constructed motion picture with too little going on and too little at its core .", "the mind wonders to what a more confrontational or flippant filmmaker would have done with this material .", "punishingly long , the movie insists that viewers spend more than two over-deliberate hours with a man whose pathology could be sketched in a few minutes . in sports , what MOV does is called `` running out the clock . ''", "three top-of-their-game actors in a cold and airless art film ...", "a despairing , intentionally disturbing film that draws us into a maelstrom of desperate emotions , it holds up a dark mirror to the american dream and does not like what it sees .", "carell 's performance is exaggerated , pronounced and so prominent that it obstructs other features .", "the movie 's take at times is fascinating . but it 's basically one long , sick joke played at half speed . it 's a ponderous , sick joke .", "a handsome , complex enough film that mostly refuses to commit to easy psychoanalysis", "a story filled with dread but no suspense : a fable of the misunderstanding , heartbreak , irony and absurdity that can abound in america when two social classes grapple in mutual desire and animosity .", "`` MOV '' is a gripping yarn all the way through , even if we 're not entirely sure what the point is .", "a strange and tragic cautionary tale about the pathological pursuit of success .", "MOV may keep you at arm 's length , but it 's only so you can see the whole picture .", "the best dramatic work of tatum 's career . you did n't know he could be this good .", "the story here may have been worth a movie , but it 's so diluted over a long and repetitive 134 minutes that 's it 's really hard to tell .", "the fatherhood issues fueling the tension among mark -lrb- channing tatum -rrb- , dave -lrb- mark ruffalo -rrb- , and du pont -lrb- a creepy , completely unrecognizable steve carell -rrb- are muted but powerfully realized .", "if on the surface this is a story about men seeking intimacy through unadulterated physicality , at its core , MOV is about people searching for something missing from their lives .", "pretty-boy tatum impresses in every way . while it might not be a stretch for the strapping actor to play an athlete , it is a revelation to see how much he physically transforms into the hulking wrestler ...", "a fascinating , indeed shocking , study of a character warped by privilege , wealth and repressed urges .", "at its core , `` MOV '' grapples , bluntly , with the subjects of class and money , and what some people do when , to quote a line from `` psycho , '' they ca n't buy off their own unhappiness .", "it does fruitful work in the field of sport , where lofty notions of excellence and heroism can believably grapple with brutish realities involving money and ego .", "MOV is n't afraid of venturing into territory avoided by most sports-related motion pictures . this is n't an inspirational film ; in fact , quite the opposite is true .", "carell embodies the dank side of privilege and money and american manhood gone to stinking rot in miller 's bleak , harrowing , but thrilling true-life murder case from a heavily researched script by e. max frye and dan futterman .", "it 's an important , vital , vibrant film that gives new light to men who struggled so hard to find it in their real lives .", "ponderous , emotionally chilly oscar bait .", "a positively harrowing and gut-wrenching true story that gets everything right .", "i could dig , analyze and appreciate MOV for years . all of that being said , MOV is remarkable .", "the filmmaking is spare but incisive and , together with the performances , this film should dominate any awards conversation this fall .", "MOV nevertheless comes off as a particularly handsome bit of oscar bait - with the movie , it often seems , designed to impress more than entertain .", "bennett miller has made what might almost be called an awards-bait exploitation film , except that he purges the material of sensationalism , and he does so in the most honest and artful way possible . he keeps it real .", "a surefire oscar contender that should secure multiple nominations -lrb- especially for its performances -rrb- , MOV is , at its core , about the risks , rewards and consequences of wanting to be great .", "there 's not a hint of fantasy in MOV and it 's still the scariest monster movie of the year .", "... it feels like a calculated articulation of what a serious prestige picture should like instead of an organic and rewarding drama .", "MOV is among the best movies of the year , but ultimately it seems one better suited for awards than for audiences .", "these performances are beyond reproach , which makes it even stranger that the film never quite turns into the crushing experience it feels like it should be .", "this is your quintessential hollywood long , boring movie ... without an iota of pace ... with the further detraction that it does n't explain a thing about olympic wrestling , a sport with arcane rules that could use some explaining .", "miller -lrb- who in his previous two films , capote and moneyball , showed a similar interest in the power machinations of lonely , obsessive outsiders -rrb- does n't need a lot of dialogue or backstory to create a haunting mood of tension and menace .", "director bennett miller -lsb- parses -rsb- the complex nuances in the interactions among three men at the center of one of the most salacious chapters in olympic history .", "MOV is an interesting character study that struggles to convey insightful conclusions about its subjects .", "inert and suffocating .", "`` MOV '' will likely get lots of -lrb- deserved -rrb- awards buzz . it is one of the best films of the year , if not the best .", "... a great american story , literary and tragic . if ever a movie had compelling subtext for our time , it 's `` MOV . ''", "as the creepy , repressed john e. dupont , carell gives an excellent performance that may well earn him the awards that have already been predicted .", "a superbly modulated study of a twisted mind with a career-changing performance by steve carell .", "it 's understandable that bennett miller should have been fascinated by the du pont-schultz case and wanted to make a film from it . but sometimes the defense of `` based on a true story '' evades both the real facts and their fictional potential .", "it does all the explaining it needs to -- the trick is learning to listen the right way . that 's what MOV 's about . it 's fantastic .", "if this restrained '80s - set drama largely works despite pacing problems and all-too-readable thematic and psychological arcs , it 's thanks to the superb trio of actors .", "it is something of a relief to finally surface at the end , but the voyage is certainly worth taking . a glum classic .", "some may not have the patience to stick with the film while it almost floats along , but for those willing to enjoy the remarkable performances and restrained direction , there is plenty to reward a committed audience .", "career best performances by steve carell and channing tatum .", "often mesmerizing and occasionally frustrating , MOV is an accomplished blend of sports-themed drama and tabloid true crime that 's cool to the touch .", "you may not be prepared for the masterful way that miller keeps us off-balance and uneasy , or for the gnawing sense of doom that gradually builds .", "i did not know anything about the story of john du pont before seeing MOV . now that i know how it ends , all the tensions of the scenes before it have changed .", "though anchored by a affecting and sullen turn by channing tatum , the movie derives its primary discomfiting power from steve carell in a revelatory performance as a monster of american wealth .", "-lsb- miller has -rsb- created something so universal and resonant that it feels epic , sprawling , almost ancient in its mythic overtones .", "MOV brings out very strong performances from its three leads , but is burdened by its too laboured stabs at gravitas .", "to avert your eyes is impossible . this is a film that creeps up on you , pins you down and will not let go .", "a hypnotically disturbing triumph for miller and his cast . bruisingly intimate and psychologically nuanced , its spiral into savagery lingers like a bad dream .", "an exhilaratingly breathless experience .", "there 's just no life in the film : aiming for a tone of studied foreboding , bennett miller instead sucks all the energy from his story .", "an oft told story is given stirring insight through first rate performances and production .", "another dramatic triumph for bennett miller , though it is his toughest and least glamorous outing yet . a sad and horrible story , expertly and compellingly told .", "it 's not much fun , by the end . but golly : by my lights , it 's a pretty perfectly-made , carefully crafted , well-acted , engaging film that is doing far more than meets the eye .", "miller 's film is often unsettling - and although it 's hard to like , it has much to commend it .", "a true crime drama with a twist .", "the 1802 gun-powder-mill origins of ` that ' wealthy du pont family are neatly brought into the drama rather than lazily printed on the screen or voiced from off it .", "an unrecognizable steve carell is awesome in a deadly serious , humorless role as heir to the du pont fortune , whose hobby is training a wrestling team for the 1988 olympics .", "within this vacuum of malaise , fine performers struggle valiantly to breathe life into their roles .", "a trio of strong lead performances elevate the material , but not to the level of a gold-medal winner .", "part existential murder mystery , part freudian detective story and fully an indictment of the american success story .", "MOV weaves its spell through the cunning use of unhurried silences...-rarely does a director display such control of his materials .", "the slow pace wo n't be for everyone , but watching three actors give such riveting performances in the telling of such a fascinating character piece more than makes up for it .", "like du pont himself , MOV draws us in without really allowing us to get under its skin .", "there is plenty here to draw and hold the eye .", "sorrowful and sordid , oozing bizarre homoeroticism and brutal violence ...", "MOV is both moral fable and updated , same-sex gothic : a penniless young person is lured to a vast , sinister mansion owned by an aristocrat tormented by his past .", "above everything else , it is a piercing insight into toxic mentor-ism , into competitive men and their terrible emotional need to find a father-figure to hate and to disappoint .", "a wonderfully taut and thoughtfully unnerving drama ...", "MOV is , ultimately , a deeply political film , but not in the way you might think .", "once miller lays all his cards on the table ... you realize you have n't been watching people struggling with the very real temptations of unchecked privilege , so much as fumbling blindly in a glib , gloomy satire of american exceptionalism .", "the will to win has rarely seemed more self-defeating than it does in MOV , a sinuous , methodical true-crime drama in which the moral and psychological rot sets in long before any crime is committed .", "it 's an amalgam of dramatic all-american themes including ambition , paranoia , greed and the ice cubes in the blood that fuel the ruthless pursuit of success in the competitive world of sports . color it hair-raising .", "aided by a prosthetic schnoz and a deliberately ill-fitting tracksuit , steve carell gives the definition of a career-redefining performance ...", "MOV skillfully thrives on that tension of the calm before the storm ...", "a thought-provoking and solid piece of work .", "a film to be considered alongside david fincher 's the social network and paul thomas anderson 's the master as a swirling , smoke-black parable of modern america .", "e. max frye 's screenplay takes us on the schultz brothers ' journey and leads us to the terrible denouement in this subtle and horrifying parable of what money can and ca n't buy .", "while MOV remains compellingly watchable through its first three quarters , it fails in the pacing of its final act .", "this is a true-crime story in which the crime is treated as an afterthought .", "rarely has a film so chilly felt so richly drawn . bennett miller 's decidedly remote true-life story is a brilliantly acted , fiercely american tragedy .", "it is tautly directed , deftly written , thoroughly gripping and offers psychological heft as well as sublime performances all round .", "a movie that appears to be about wrestling but in fact is a disturbing , testosterone-rich tour of the inadequacies of an american billionaire and his athletic prot\u00e9g\u00e9 .", "director bennett miller 's a poor biographer but a good storyteller .", "in miller 's hands , a movie that could easily have become so much exploitative trash is instead a sharp study of two tragically lonely lives , of the pitfalls of privilege and , in its own way , of the american way of doing things .", "miller 's often ponderous detachment gives the film the kind of gravitas -- real or illusory -- that keeps it from seeming to be the kind of tabloid trash its story basically is .", "as a consequence of bennett miller 's relentless de-dramatization , MOV offers us next to nothing of utility or complexity about du pont 's pathology .", "tatum is on searing form , and carrell really knocks it out of the park with his first straight dramatic role .", "bennett miller 's merciless direction and strong performances by carell , tatum , and the ever lovable ruffalo make MOV one of this season 's more essential viewings", "an icy tale of possession ...", "MOV is brilliantly acted and extremely well crafted in a wintry , slow burning way but has an emptiness at its core .", "of bennett miller 's many directorial feats , his canniest is his depiction of the precariousness of bonds , and how those bonds can shift , drastically yet almost imperceptibly .", "MOV is great at being an awards movie , and not so great at telling the story of what it 's actually supposed to be about .", "a beautifully shot , wonderfully acted , generally well-written film about a fascinating true-life story . so why does it seem to have a big empty hole in the middle of it ?", "this is how you make a film based on true events . that seems to be bennett miller 's calling card , actually .", "here , the pursuit of the american dream is not a friendly competition or a fair fight . it 's a blood sport .", "... as though underplaying and long , silent stretches without even a musical score can somehow convey seriousness and import .", "tantalizing and disturbing in equal measure , `` MOV '' is a firecracker of a thriller about a perfect storm of events that led to an inexplicable tragedy .", "it 's slow -- sometimes excruciatingly -- and it takes a long time for the obvious to occur . yet , against my better judgment , i kinda , sorta would n't mind seeing it again . -lrb- full content review -- sex , profanity , etc. -- for parents also available -rrb-", "it 's brotherhood , in all its complexity and depth , before misguided money and power destroys it .", "even if you do n't know the details of this real-life , late-20th-century tragedy , director bennett miller 's masterfully observed psychological study is imbued with a sense of an inevitable , catastrophic meltdown .", "a richly developed psychological drama about the fire of ambition in the lives of a gold-medal winning wrestler and a multimillionaire wrestling enthusiast .", "carell 's performance is career-defining , one that should guarantee him an oscar nomination .", "the dialogue is clean , meaningful and chilling , the necessary component to make this an unforgettable movie .", "as a character study `` MOV '' is mesmerizing , eerie and unpredictably weird .", "as a character study and illustration of the unglamorous lives of some olympic champions , `` MOV '' is brilliant and strange .", "... about the ways men without women accommodate one another -- the way they literally lean on one another and the way alliances shift and dissipate as favors are proffered and withheld .", "steve carell offers a tour de force of slow-burning menace . MOV , one of the year 's very best films , exposes the diseased underbelly of american exceptionalism and knocks the ground out from under you .", "MOV gets under your skin and stays there . it 's easily one of the best things we 've seen this year .", "when you strip away the celebrity status of those involved , this is just another story about a crazy guy with a gun who murders an innocent person . it just happens , but the film does n't make you care about this particular murder .", "the picture is n't in any sense about the final act tragedy , the random act of a deranged man . the filmmaker merely uses it as a punctuation mark , a futile grasp at gravitas calculated to move MOV up in weight class .", "` MOV ' wrestles with meaning but stubbornly resists being more than the very accomplished performance it is .", "`` a powerfully gripping layer cake that explores the victims left to wither and die under the malignant , patriotic super-rich . ''", "it imitates deliberately the pace of wrestling where nothing happens for ages , bar imperceptible shuffling and nudging , until suddenly someone wins .", "in one of the finest performances of the year , oscar nominee steve carell plays the real-life john du pont in ` MOV , ' the bizarre true story of a wealthy eccentric who wanted to form his own wrestling empire .", "steve carell 's leering du pont , a sad , damaged soul who 's blind to his princely vanity , becomes , in the character 's stealthy way , an unforgettable villain ." ], "summary": "a chilling true crime drama , MOV offers steve carell , mark ruffalo , and channing tatum a chance to shine -- and all three of them rise to the challenge .", "id": "771256839" }, { "movie": "tucker_the_man_and_his_dream", "reviews": [ "francis ford coppola and lucasfilm in top form bring to the screen the story of automotive legend preston tucker . the film is a tribute to american creativity and a lament about a system that wastes genius .", "tucker came up with a classic , but poor coppola has turned a great american tragedy into a gas-guzzling human comedy .", "nobody does it better : pristine images glide past you with the just-waxed brilliance of an assembly line of new tuckers .", "bridges ' riviting performance should keep the rest of you glued to your set and longing for one of his rocketship cars .", "if we 're offered a movie named tucker : the man and his dream , we leave feeling cheated if we only get the dream .", "coppola fills tucker with some flawlessly executed scene transitions that will startle even the most jaded audience .", "one of francis ford coppola 's great movies that slipped through the cracks in the late 80 's .", "celebrates the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurs whose dreams can be dashed but never taken away from them .", "mr. coppola has done things this fancily before , but never with so clear and moving a sense of purpose .", "a cheerful and light approach to potentially heavy material .", "seems george lucas ca n't make anything great out of tatooinie", "still coppola 's best film since apocalypse now . it has an enthusiasm that much of his post-1970 's work has lacked .", "there 's plenty to recommend it . but it 's also a partially wasted opportunity , as this good film could have been a great one .", "francis coppola 's stylish and heartfelt tribute to the innovative automobile designer preston thomas tucker turns out to be one of his most personal and successful movies .", "a movie for people who love world 's fairs", "the true story of a great american visionary who was thwarted , if not destroyed , by the established order , tucker represents the sunniest imaginable telling of an at least partly tragic episode in recent history .", "the result is a film consistent narratively , confident stylistically and abounce with the quaint quality that animated both the hero and his times , something we used to call pep .", "fluent , brave and touching .", "underrated film focuses on fascinating story of real car maker , played well by jeff bridges .", "smoke-filled , rousing dramedy about corruption .", "a revealing and heartfelt biopic .", "if 12-year old boys had money , tucker would have made a million overnight", "the cinematic sleight-of-hand parallels the bombast of its hero , but you never get a glimpse of either visionary ." ], "summary": "though it may not be as comprehensive as some would like , francis ford coppola 's cheerful biopic of the failed automotive designer features sparkling direction and a strong central performance from jeff bridges .", "id": "10430" }, { "movie": "barbershop", "reviews": [ "director tim story brings a great script that takes a surprisingly sweet and comical look at a MOV on the south side of chicago to life through a very funny and talented ensemble cast .", "ice cube has never seemed more rooted or believable as a character , first-time director tim story is very good at keeping his ensemble under control and in balance , and the movie makes a cogent , optimistic and mostly entertaining slice of ghetto life .", "the banter between calvin and his fellow barbers feels like a streetwise mclaughlin group ... and never fails to entertain .", "the characters are engaging and the story has a bustling richness .", "this may seem too homespun , but the film manages to avoid mawkishness and will win you over with its good heart .", "the most trivial act can be loaded with meaning and consequence -- what you do affects those around you . this is , of course , a useful , if sobering lesson . thank goodness , the film does n't deliver it in a particularly sobering fashion .", "combines big laughs , a big heart and thoroughly winning characters .", "a broad , very funny , unexpectedly graceful comedy of character and community .", "if nothing significant gets settled in the rambling MOV conversations , at least many issues are aired , and by the end , in classic sitcom fashion , all problems have been solved .", "what makes MOV so likable , with all its flaws , is that it has none of the pushiness and decibel volume of most contemporary comedies .", "MOV is a cozy place to hang out for a while , even if you do n't need a little off the sides .", "the problem with MOV is that it tries too hard to be too many things .", "perhaps because it promotes traditional values - respect women , crime does n't pay , family comes first - the film shines in those rare scenes when it plays with received wisdom .", "rapper-turned-actor ice cube ably provides the emotional core in this story of a neighborhood MOV and its assortment of colorful inhabitants , which is a cut above standard hip-hop cinematic fare .", "some of the verbal jousts are hot , and a laurel and hardy routine involving a stolen atm is fitfully hilarious , but this reminds me of a pilot for a cable sitcom .", "charming urban comedy for teens .", "a funny , warm , immensely likable , and all-ages-appealing film centering around the importance of heritage and family .", "a smart , clever , and well-written piece of filmmaking ...", "-lsb- ice -rsb- cube proves that he can be incredibly charismatic performer when he 's not glowering at people .", "... has the makings of a long-running franchise , but one that just does n't cut it as a crossover hit .", "every once in a while a movie comes along that reminds you how entertaining , enjoyable , and satisfying a really terrible movie can be .", "the premise of MOV ... is as hackneyed as they come , but the overall mood is less cynical than affectionate .", "more vaudeville show than well-constructed narrative , but on those terms it 's inoffensive and actually rather sweet .", "`` the dialogue is not simply slang-laced profanity looking for laughs , it feels like genuine conversations -lrb- even arguments -rrb- that you 've been involved with yourself . ''", "it is wretched for so many reasons : the manifestation of myriad stereotypes , a dumb story suited for an old-school blaxploitation film , cheesy production design , too much ad-libbing , and a lot of just plain bad acting .", "final verdict : you 've seen it all before .", "a comedy whose sweetness is marred by an oversupply of mindless physical humor .", "MOV is ennobled by its simplicity but it offers nothing daring or refreshing on the topic of race or civic relations .", "well paced , but rarely charged .", "although occasionally static to the point of resembling a stage play , the film delivers a solid mixture of sweetness and laughs .", "towers head and hairpiece above much of what passes for urban comedy these days .", "director tim story 's subtle nods to spike lee 's joe 's bed-stuy MOV notwithstanding , this one has about as much novelty as a $ 15 fade . but if it 's something of a shaggy dog , it does n't need a trim ...", "the comedy belongs to cedric the entertainer who 's simultanesously out-of-control funny and awe-inspiring .", "a flat-out hilarious ensemble comedy that probably made me laugh out loud more than any other movie this year .", "although MOV boasts some of today 's hottest and hippest acts from the world of television , music and stand-up comedy , this movie strangely enough has the outdated swagger of a shameless '70s blaxploitation shuck-and-jive sitcom .", "a cut above the rest .", "a feel-good movie that will brush away your cares .", "it may be an easy swipe to take , but this MOV just does n't make the cut .", "cedric the entertainer more than makes up for serving sara .", "offers 102 minutes of breezy , occasionally very funny entertainment .", "the movie 's heart is in the right place , which generates enough warmth to make one root for it .", "is n't MOV the sort of middlebrow pop entertainment ice cube used to want to kill white people over ?", "focuses too much on the tried and tired plot developments for the characters to completely grow on us .", "feels a little like spike lee lite - `` joe 's bed stuy MOV : we cut heads '' minus the street realism , or do the right thing without the conflagrations .", "cedric the entertainer damn near steals the show , with an award-caliber comic performance that 's delightful in both the quality and timing of his biting satirical words .", "... a charmer of a comedy , rich in the traditions of american camaraderie .", "a great opportunity for various people to display their comic talents , especially cedric the entertainer in a great role of MOV 's sage ...", "ice cube holds the film together with an engaging and warm performance ...", "much like how its employees and patrons do n't want to see the MOV close , once one has become acquainted with these people and this place , one may not want MOV to end .", "between the drama of cube?s personal revelations regarding what the shop means in the big picture , iconic characters gambol fluidly through the story , with charming results .", "despite its flaws , yhe lengthy sequences we spend in the MOV give the film a comical & thoughtful weight that would seem most comfortable performed in a single-setting play .", "... brings to mind the witty insight of spike lee 's 1989 classic ` do the right thing . '", "an entertaining , surprisingly well-written and often rowdily amusing picture .", "-lsb- story -rsb- has broken the mold that most modern urban films are trapped in and it 's refreshing .", "MOV , for all of its conventional flaws , is an endearing slice-of-life comedy .", "reassuring , retro uplifter .", "it may not be a huge cut of above the rest , but i enjoyed MOV . it 's a funny little movie with clever dialogue and likeable characters .", "a lovely little film about family and community pride and friendship , one that pokes gentle fun at stereotypes while never forgetting the real people behind a seeming clich\u00e9 .", "watching -lrb- cedric -rrb- go on a politically incorrect jag about rodney king , o.j. -lrb- and -rrb- rosa parks ... is a ca n't - believe-your-ears laugh almost worth the price of admission by itself .", "i did n't laugh . i did n't smile . i survived .", "-lsb- story -rsb- does a fine job of giving the audience the ` you are there ' feel of being a patron in an african-american MOV .", "a sloppy but likable movie .", "a genuinely funny ensemble comedy that also asks its audience -- in a heartwarming , nonjudgmental kind of way -- to consider what we value in our daily lives .", "as a slapstick adventure , MOV is unfunny and unoriginal . but as a character-driven drama , MOV works well , with its quirky , sweet characters and authentic dialogue .", "features contrived , forced and far too obvious material in both its comedic and dramatically poignant moments .", "very funny , and remarkably mature , retro-1970s ensemble comedy .", "the most charming , tender comedy this side of my big fat greek wedding .", "this MOV may not provide you a soapbox or a good fade , but it 'll definitely leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling .", "it 's funny as hell .", "it 's a likable venture that just misses being a lovable one .", "yes , MOV has its touchy-feely moments , but the schmaltz is kept at bay by a genuine sweetness and just a touch of grit .", "a surprisingly gentle and light-hearted comedy about neighbors who work together to create a community and overcome adversity .", "` MOV '' is a good-hearted ensemble comedy with a variety of quirky characters and an engaging story .", "a great comedy filmmaker knows great comedy need n't always make us laugh . tim story 's not there yet - but ` MOV ' shows he 's on his way .", "the notion of taking responsibility for one 's community , of contributing instead of only receiving , gives barber shop a substance too few movies achieve .", "the filmmakers managed to create seven interesting and well-developed characters , which is a welcome antidote to many lesser comedies that fail to develop a single one .", "here 's a pleasant surprise % u2013 the first such of the fall movie season . warm , funny , and with a kind of street-smart frank capra ` message '", "when the theater lights came up , i only knew that i wanted to go back to the shop tomorrow .", "an unfortunate waste of a promising ensemble .", "strongest when just letting us watch the people , this movie showcases the MOV as a kind of roundtable of ideas being exchanged among social classes and generations .", "one of the best entrants in the fast-growing urban comedy genre .", "beneath the jokes is a story about community - what it means to belong to a community and one 's responsibility to that community .", "the script really should have been given a trim , as it tries to cram in so many characters that few are given the time and space to develop .", "clip off a little rehashed material here , trim a few unneeded characters there , and what you have left is sheer entertainment .", "beneath the profane banter , light-hearted intrigue and generous helping of larger-than-life characters , MOV makes a heartfelt case for african-americans owning businesses in their own communities .", "the comedy is less than razor sharp .", "MOV is for the most part a funny , thought-provoking , and well-performed film that deserves to be seen .", "in the age of photo messaging and web chats , MOV is a warm-hearted reminder that there 's nothing like conversation between real people .", "this is what can happen when black actors and black filmmakers are permitted by a narrow industry to assemble a story of their own , a depiction of their own community .", "there 's a gentle buzz to this comedy about a family-owned MOV in innercity chicago ; the filmmakers mercifully avoid the more extreme ends of annoying slapstick , although they get dangerously close a few times .", "the movie 's quiet affirmation of neighborhood values gives it an honest , lived-in glow .", "uneven at times , MOV wins you over through random moments of vitality and joy .", "the film did n't convince me that calvin jr. 's MOV represents some sort of beacon of hope in the middle of chicago 's south side .", "an entertaining drama about an african-american MOV owner who makes the startling discovery that true wealth comes from investing in others .", "this was a close shave , but it just did n't cut it for me .", "like car wash -lrb- 1976 -rrb- , this loosely structured comedy is less about plot than character , and its characters are carefully drawn and flawlessly played .", "frank capra meets friday", "once folks started hanging out at the MOV , they never wanted to leave . chances are you wo n't , either .", "pratfalls aside , MOV gets its greatest play from the timeless spectacle of people really talking to each other .", "manages to offer a heartening lesson about communal triumph over personal gain , while shearing away all the gloss , dreck and dry ends that normally comes with so blunt a message .", "entertains by providing good , lively company .", "this feature debut from tim story would have been much better had it proceeded on a much smaller scale , with fewer barbers and more time to develop the relationships between them .", "attempts by this ensemble film to impart a message are so heavy-handed that they instead pummel the audience .", "while there are certainly smarter slices of african-american life to be found on the screen , MOV is several fades above the average run of street burlesque and middle-class family dramedy .", "a nice way to spend a couple of hours . you 'll feel like a longtime customer .", "amid the new populist comedies that underscore the importance of family tradition and familial community , one would be hard-pressed to find a movie with a bigger , fatter heart than MOV .", "it excels because , unlike so many other hollywood movies of its ilk , it offers hope .", "by far the most mature film to come down the pike in which the name ` cube ' appears more than once in the credits .", "consistently funny , and celebratory of its chicago setting .", "like the original friday , this movie is overflowing with outrageous characters that will make you smile . just watching them interact is worth the price of admission .", "boisterous , heartfelt comedy .", "one of the most refreshing things about this movie is the way it gives free reign to the sort of freewheeling debate that actually rages in some barbershops over what are accepted orthodoxies right outside the door .", "as warm as it is wise , deftly setting off uproarious humor with an underlying seriousness that sneaks up on the viewer , providing an experience that is richer than anticipated .", "ice cube is sympathetic as the star , and cedric the entertainer tends to steal the show .", "why ca n't we all get along ? MOV says , respectfully , that we can .", "a stage-y but likable ensemble piece .", "ice cube , as usual , is an appealing presence , but the rest of the cast shines as well .", "-lsb- i -rsb- t 's certainly laudable that the movie deals with hot-button issues in a comedic context , but MOV is n't as funny as it should be .", "like a veteran head cutter , MOV is tuned in to its community .", "despite the fact that you can see every plot twist a mile off , director tim story keeps the script by mark brown , don d. scott and marshall todd rollicking with a jazzy spontaneity ." ], "summary": "besides bringing on the laughs , MOV displays a big heart and demonstrates the value of community .", "id": "11030" }, { "movie": "stay", "reviews": [ "more bewildering than entertaining .", "the final twist does more to unravel what 's come before than to tie it all together , making what 's come before feel like a cosmopolitan goose chase .", "pretentious claptrap .", "ultimately , it 's a whole lot of style at the service of a story that adds up to nothing more than a great big ` gotcha ! '", "you the viewer have the dubious privilege of deciphering what shreds of internal logic the story holds , an exercise that quickly loses its mystique given the sensory overload of imagery and the flatness of the characters .", "MOV is a heartless puzzle that builds no empathy for its characters , no pathos at all , as it is giving us many cryptic clues that do n't really lead to that finale . it 's an intellectual exercise , not an emotional one .", "there 's no payoff as things drag along to a ludicrous ending that reeks of contempt for its audience .", "too bad that when it comes time to finally produce a rabbit from his top hat , all forster can manage is a mouse .", "MOV has all the signs of a look-what-i-learned-in-film-school movie .", "if you do not like MOV , it will not be because of the quality of the acting or the physicality of the setting they work in . instead , it will be that you can not or will not understand what forster & company are on about in their surreal drama .", "forster 's disjointed cuts and camera angles fail to spice things up as intended . instead , he seems to be killing time until the film 's trick ending .", "some people find this twisty and twisted psychological thriller arty and pretentious . i find it arty and provocative .", "MOV is crowded with layers and symbols , probably too many for one movie , and it ultimately wears out its welcome . but its images are compelling , even as its story fades away .", "a pretty package that 's empty on the inside .", "it 's all very deep , but in a tricked-up , art-directed sort of way .", "the movie is so carefully made and well-acted , it 's never really unwatchable and gosling has been playing pallid , tremulous special-case guys so long he could do it napping .", "a richly detailed , fascinating , and insightful puzzle that should prompt many to go back for a second look", "s lot of talent gets expended in MOV . -lrb- i 'm not including whoever dressed mcgregor . -rrb- too bad the movie they made , while effective in short spurts , is almost a complete waste of time .", "you know you 're in trouble when even the film 's title remains a mystery .", "sometimes artful does n't make up for annoying .", "forster presents to us the despair of the world as a soulless , euro-trashy video installation .", "be prepared for punishment and confusion ; otherwise , MOV away .", "talented actors mcgregor , watts and gosling are wasted in a pretentious thriller that 's located in a space between reality and illusion , life and death , in other words limbo .", "it 's rare that movies are made with such devotion to detail , even if the details are more frivolous than significant .", "more of an abstract than trick , MOV is a satisfying examination .", "audience members probably fluttered their eyes in disbelief at this convoluted tale .", "there 's a lot of talent at work here from the cast to the screenwriter to the director and the visuals , but it 's all so arbitrary and cheap and the payoff is so , so lame .", "it demands you to keep thinking about it after its through with you .", "very stylish , nice to look at , but a good cast and good director , does n't always mean it 's a good movie . it does n't draw you in and make you want to MOV through the end .", "its sole purpose appears to be to confuse , to muddle and to blow our minds .", "a more appropriate title for MOV would have been go .", "films like this do n't allow you to anticipate what 's coming , deciding to instead sneak into your body and astound you with the widest range of emotions", "was the conclusion unforeseen ? definitely . did it make me think about or learn something about the human condition ? not really .", "there 's very little pay-off to this overlong and murky psychological thriller .", "MOV is interesting , but it 's hard to recommend to anyone but the small cadre of david lynch devotees who will inhale anything with a whiff of similarity to their favorite auteur 's scent .", "MOV away !", "in marc forster 's humorless thriller , going insane is an exciting , luxurious affair .", "perhaps the most challenging film released this year .", "if dreariness were high art , MOV would be a permanent fixture in the louvre .", "a far better movie than you 'd think .", "another nail in the coffin of ewan mcgregor 's career .", "this is the kind of flop that makes even the popcorn taste lousy .", "what forster 's missing is an emotional connection - identification with something primal beneath the surface disorientation .", "the intent is to rivet the viewer 's attention , but the movie is so relentless in imposing its deliberately dazzling technique that audiences are liable to be annoyed instead .", "forster should be commended for attempting something as daunting as the overreaching MOV .", "ok , all you folks who loved the bizarre `` mulholland drive '' as much as i did . you 're in for another mind-boggling , brain-teasing treat .", "foster 's payoff is so chintzy it would make even freud run away .", "-lsb- r -rsb- edeems itself so tremendously in the end that the final five minutes more than make up for any doubts you might have had along the way ...", "whether the lack of story clarity is a weakness or a virtue is an individual response , but the filmmakers do not hesitate in playing up the cinematic flourishes .", "revela-se apenas mais uma varia\u0437\u0433o de uma premissa utilizada por v\u0431rios outros filmes .", "a disaster from beginning to end . if you 're going to MOV anywhere , MOV at home .", "a psychological thriller in a category by itself .", "... there is nothing interesting about the payoff ; it seems like little more than a convenient excuse for a director to have fun , throwing a bunch of wild stuff up on the screen .", "most will likely sniff this one out for what it is , a would-be mystery thriller with pretensions to being something more that actually delivers a good deal less .", "a great big blurry mess .", "MOV , it wo n't .", "after an hour or so , despite the heroic efforts of cast and crew , torpor and impatience slither between the movie 's trapdoors .", "rod serling would have wrapped this mysterioso story about a psychiatrist and a suicidal patient dislocated by time , space and a lot of crazily raked angles into a tight half-hour episode .", "MOV means to unsettle us , and it does .", "a woozy , pretentious would-be thriller that aims to be mind-bending but instead is patience-trying .", "the visual effects , especially those used to enhance the metaphysical elements , are impressive , but the story lacks that certain something .", "gosling and mcgregor deliver beyond-the-call-of-duty performances that hold you riveted even when the story goes silly .", "though visual prodigies abound , the nightmare never gets real enough .", "a very sad story with great potential , but what 's pulsating through its veins is a double-assed twilight zone that somehow manages to tell it from the wrong point of view .", "watts is under used and wasted . more naomi = more waffles , no matter how bad the movie might be", "people who have never seen a movie using this gimmick may be impressed , but for those who have - or can see it coming - there is n't very much point .", "there are no surprises to get excited about , and forster 's stylistic choices tend to push the film into tedium", "... a striking piece of work , one that stays with the viewer long after the end credits have rolled .", "MOV is worth seeing for its powerful performances , excellent direction , and beautiful visuals .", "the movie demands that its viewers put the fragmented images and information together like an intellectual jigsaw puzzle , but it never gives those viewers a good reason to do so .", "... for a film so affectingly steeped in loss , resignation and the ghosts of memory , the revelation ... lacks emotional resonance .", "MOV away .", "ultimately empty .", "you could attempt to summarize the plot of ` MOV ' -- or could try to catch the morning fog in a butterfly net : either activity would produce the same results .", "after it 's over , the nagging feeling will hit you in the parking lot that it really does n't make any sense .", "part thriller , part mind-bending absurdity , it will definitely leave you scratching your head . but try to MOV until the end -- it might make up for the rest of it .", "works best as an intellectual cinematic essay on the veiled subject at hand -lrb- and a director-driven art film at that -rrb- , rather than as a narrative drama .", "it is neither deep nor mind-blowing . but we should n't deny the very concrete delectations it offers .", "it 's worse than bad . it 's mediocre .", "a gorgeous , textured , meaningful , multimedia shadow play ; appreciate it as deeply as you like", "forster keeps us from drifting off with inventive camerawork ; in this case , that 's like saying a hideous suit has well-stitched lapels .", "when the movie is over , and we know all that is to be known , it deserves some thought .", "the style of MOV is no different than a 15-year-old goth 'd out chick about to be sentenced to boot camp on maury povich - it 's weird for the sake of being weird .", "a metaphysical film that has no existential thoughts in its head .", "maybe he 's also sam . or an aspect of sam . or else sam is an aspect of henry . maybe henry is an aspect of lila . maybe what we think is reality is all an illusion . maybe illusion is actually reality . maybe we 're all jacked into the matrix .", "... fussily enigmatic .", "the viewer 's confidence and attention are not only undermined , but completely disregarded . you get the same feeling as charlie brown when lucy pulls the football away .", "a steaming compost heap of high-art pretense and half-cocked psychoanalysis .", "forster 's symbolism goes from clever to exasperating to , finally , sort of klutzily endearing - the work of a gifted art student who ca n't resist piling on the glitter .", "all of this leads up to a promising reveal but what we get is a great big `` huh ? ''", "it 's a puzzle that tells you not to blatantly trust what you see . it just asks you to trust the wonders of the imagination -- from whatever direction it comes .", "MOV attempts to justify the entire price of admission with its ending twist .", "left me yearning for the parking lot .", "pretty to look at , tough to follow , and , ultimately , difficult to swallow , MOV certainly is n't a bad film ... but it sure as heck is n't one you 'll be raving about anytime soon .", "the technical virtues of the film may outstrip the content , but it 's an entertaining film , nonetheless . you might want to MOV around for this one .", "a sappy melodrama touted in a supernatural angle ...", "it is both straightforward and abstract , using cinematic tricks to put the audience in sam/henry 's headspace . the result is a bit a sense of intentional vertigo that may cloud the films ultimately humanist point .", "the effect is something indescribably cinematic , as the inner mechanics of the mind 's eye are vividly translated onto the big screen . beautiful , haunting and ultimately transcendent ...", "ewan mcgregor , naomi watts and ryan gosling all lower their box office merit with this unbaked psychological thriller about a suicidal man -lrb- gosling -rrb- taunting his eccentric psychologist -lrb- mcgregor -rrb- after surviving a horrible car accident .", "ultimately the film delivers such a weak payoff that it makes nearly everything that came before it seem rather pointless .", "MOV wants to be good , creepy fun , but by the middle of the film , i was so uninterested in the plot i became obsessed with mcgregor 's pants", "so often , i have seen films like this that try to walk the fine line between creativity and confusion . director marc forster manages to walk that line with precision .", "a head-scratching thriller ...", "this one is more headache-inducing than mind-blowing .", "another exercise in alienated chic , MOV plays like an impenetrable collage . the movie 's chilly moods and eerie suggestions do n't amount to much , and all the weirdness leads to a pip-squeak of a payoff .", "MOV is a cheap trick . avoid it .", "how could anyone think that this movie is totally ridiculous ?", "MOV is all dressed up with no place to go , an eye-popping exercise in lavish style unattached to any discernible content .", "takes us down a rabbit hole and loses us there .", "whether you guess the ending early or have it smack you upside the head , the result is the same : you 'll be out the price of a ticket .", "it 's hard to imagine a film more perversely obtuse than this dark , grim exercise in cinematic sleight of hand .", "the brain power you expend making sense of it is better spent elsewhere .", "it all leads to nowhere involving or revelatory or particularly entertaining unless you are interested in forster 's hip , eccentric tastes ." ], "summary": "a muddled brain-teaser , MOV has a solid cast and innovative visuals but little beneath the surface .", "id": "8842" }, { "movie": "hero", "reviews": [ "MOV is one of the most visually poetic movies i 've ever seen .", "MOV dazzles with its visual storytelling", "the elegant precision of the ravishing images gives each scene a timeless beauty .", "unfortunately , it 's overdone . subtleties have been abandoned in much of the fight gymnastics ...", "put simply : this is one of the most stunning experiences ever .", "a feast for the eyes .", "truly beautiful , but undeniably resigned to peace through tyranny .", "a masterful tale - a tapestry of extraordinary color .", "... so stuffed with stunts , so bare on plot , you might as well call it crouching tiger , hidden story .", "yimou explores themes of honor , loyalty , love and intrigue ... he 's not afraid to sweep aside expectations and create a complex , unconventional story .", "so deliriously chockablock with high-flying , color-coordinated fight scenes that non-aficionados may find it all a bit bewildering -- a gorgeous abstraction . it sure is gorgeous , though , and it has a dream cast .", "zhang yimou may have dipped his cinematic pen in mere genre , but in doing so , he has inscribed a masterpiece .", "it 's every bit as dazzling and spectacular as crouching tiger , hidden dragon .", "instead of reinventing this genre , zhang opts to dazzle his audience with his assemblage of technical and aesthetic wonders .", "displays a rare level of artistry , thematic depth and emotional resonance .", "the amazing film is loaded with swordplay , fantastical color and cinematography , and a battle of thousands like no other you have seen .", "this is definitely a film worth seeing on a big screen with great sound . while it is a technical marvel , it does have deficiencies that will wear heavily on those raised in the west .", "MOV is elliptical , radically disjointed and female-empowering . everything a wu xia should be ... and then some .", "MOV 's thrilling mixture of the audacious and the exquisite offers the viewer a myriad of treats .", "spectacle , in dazzling display , in what 's on the menu . the special effects are -- and this statement is not made lightly -- some of the best ever committed to celluloid .", "a stunning epic of china that serves up both a visual feast and fascinating narrative .", "this film has some of the more astonishing scenes of individual combat in recent memory , even rivaling the superhero action sequences in spider-man 2 .", "a brain-teasing , eye-delighting , pulse-pumping marvel .", "zhang yimou 's film MOV is a ravishing beauty , an elegant , sinewy creature blessed with such art and grace that the visual poetry of the piece literally leaves you breathless .", "full of passionate performances , sizzling swordplay , bold and dazzling hues , and breathtaking landscapes .", "if you found crouching tiger a stunning bore , you probably wo n't fall under MOV 's spell . but the rest of us , well , we 'll be more than happy to savor every moment of its strange , ravishing beauty .", "though yimou never achieves the romance of ang lee 's dabble in martial arts , he reaches new heights of spectacle with the combat .", "a film that should entrance the eyes and move the soul of anyone capable of appreciating true filmmaking art .", "MOV is not a long movie , yet it is persuasively epic .", "breathtaking masterpiece .", "while consistently watchable , yimou 's movie is infused with a dirge-like tone ... making it a somewhat wearisome and sluggish experience", "dishes up some of the most extravagant doodling in cinema .", "this intriguing , intoxicating martial-arts epic about the unification of china during the third century b.c. is a visual masterpiece .", "... one of the best films of its kind and one of the most beautiful films ever made .", "in what may be the movie 's most spectacular set piece ... zhang pits the sword against the pen and fends off war with knowledge and non-violence .", "better experienced than discussed -- and better seen two or more times .", "zhang weaves a complex and interesting story but the ultimate strength of MOV is its poetic beauty .", "when we are not left agog by the pristine production design and costuming , we marvel at the various staged conflicts , each one bringing a new level of proficiency and polish to an already overripe genre .", "a visually stunning martial arts epic in the wuxia tradition .", "without the clarity of story , we begin to lose connection with the martial action , and it starts to seem repetitive .", "regarded as a cinematic hybrid of ballet , martial arts , acrobatics and painting , MOV is a triumph .", "yimou 's films have always showcased some of china 's finest actors , but he has struck gold with this cast .", "for those like me who lack the background to judge martial arts action , the stunning beauty of the film will be enough to captivate .", "it 's not too much to say that MOV is one of the most ravishing spectacles the movies have given us .", "that rarest of cinematic feats : a genre martial arts flick that also happens to be one of the most striking visual films i 've ever seen", "a terrific piece of work .", "the heavy drama that i did not find engaging is overcome by the wonderment of visuals -- all those deadly arrows flying lethally through the air , just thousands of them .", "a colorful visual feast with some universal themes appealing to a wide audience .", "not even ` what dreams may come ' can match this pic for pure color .", "a picture of astonishing beauty .", "MOV is a real kick -- to the head and the heart .", "the action of MOV is rousing , its drama is heartbreaking , and its final message is inspiring .", "an exemplary feat of filmmaking .", "on one level , MOV represents a return to wuxia convention ... yet there 's nothing even marginally conventional about its overpowering visual splendor .", "less about history per se than it is about its construction , its justifications , delusions , and deceptions .", "more than 90 minutes of gushy joy , of old-time movie pleasures .", "MOV glorifies a warrior who thinks equally with his head and his heart , and asks us to consider the benefits of such a balance , how rare and wonderful it is .", "as a technical achievement , MOV finds zhang at the height of his powers , effortlessly expanding into complex genre filmmaking without losing his command . but in light of his earlier work , the film continues a sharp decline in urgency .", "gorgeous martial arts movie for older kids .", "the austerity of MOV makes you realize how cluttered other action movies are .", "what makes MOV special is that it has so much more going for it than just the superb fight sequences . there are a satisfyingly complex plot , passionate romance , cool special effects and strong performances .", "as they move through the martial-arts sequences , the performers leave the impression that the laws of gravity are subject to amendment . the rules of love and war -- all 's fair -- are , MOV makes clear , immutable .", "the result is not so much a historical epic as a kind of highly determined ballet : dreamy with bloodless violence , relying less on shades of character than on magnificence of gesture .", "the result is both thrilling and thoughtful , offering imaginative action sequences as it considers questions of loyalty and the individual 's role in history .", "intoxicatingly beautiful , structurally enigmatic and decidedly brief .", "sumptuous and breath-catching , MOV blends the elegance of fine visual art with the more familiar cinematic jollies of attractive people engaged in crunching punch-ups .", "zhang yimou 's MOV is a true martial arts epic -- a spectacle of movement , color and sound that will leave you awe-struck .", "although MOV may not engage the emotions as fully as the senses , it is nonetheless a film of such breathtaking artistry that you 're willing to forgive its narrative lapses and flagging pace .", "as brilliant and ephemeral as a fireworks display .", "an epic , evocative of another epoch and of landscapes beyond time .", "... an astonishingly graceful ballet performed with swords , arrows and fists .", "visually MOV is stunning . the telling is operatic in style but becomes muddled . ... it certainly is a film that can be appreciated by wide audiences .", "a gorgeous and sweeping epic delivered with exceptional style and mesmerizing imagery .", "what 's remarkable about the fight scenes is that they are presented in a largely nonlinear fashion , emphasizing the emotional weight of the choreography .", "camerawork , colored costumes and choreography make this film a visual feast", "an idealized dream world where ancient warriors suck down massive amounts of helium before they fight and then do silly over-romanticized things like battle in their hearts .", "this is a fantastic film .", "director zhang yimou takes film art into a tapestry of kinetic movement and colour as monumental as 2001 : a space odyssey , fantasia and kurosawa 's ran .", "... rife with beautiful location scenery , incredible production design , intense cinematic beauty , and above all engagingly beautiful fight sequences .", "martial artistic . that 's the new term demanding to be coined for director zhang yimou 's astonishing period drama .", "its 96 minutes of tongue-torching , soul-scorching wonders may leave you able to utter only one word in delirious exclamation . zhang !", "everything about this movie is larger than life . it 's a dramatic epic of love and honor , death and betrayal - all in the midst of a kick - *** action movie .", "the film transforms fighting and killing into something artful , balletic and even color-coordinated , but is somewhat weighted down by a self-conscious patina of quality ...", "... less a movie than a swirly palette , one on which the paints have intermingled to create a work of art all their own .", "drawn in simple strokes but evoking a sense of awe on par with anything seen this year .", "the cinematography is more dynamic than the many fight sequences .", "the simple fact of the matter is this : MOV is the best martial arts movie i have ever seen .", "... while MOV is essentially a nonstop ninety-odd minutes of sword fighting , it is one of the most visually beautiful films ever made .", "chagall martial arts", "shot for shot , frame for frame , beat for beat , this could very well be one of the most gorgeous films ever made .", "it gives me chills just thinking about how amazing MOV is ... . i 've never felt uplifted by a movie about people fighting before .", "yimou 's work here is absorbing and fleet , and all the actors score ... but i would be more careful than most critics have been not to oversell it .", "a fanciful martial arts extravaganza with too winking a nod to hollywood westerns , hong kong actioners , music videos and the market economy invasion .", "an inconsistently entertaining film , just a small notch above average .", "portrays the myth behind the unification of china with a visually sumptuous palette and elemental grandeur .", "MOV est une r\u00e9ussite compl\u010dte qui fascine les yeux et l'esprit .", "a dazzlingly lensed , highly stylized meditation on heroism and the point at which individualism conflicts with the common good .", "every bit crouching tiger 's visual equal .", "even if MOV did n't have a suspenseful story , its coffee - table-book loveliness would hold you rapt .", "yimou plays his images like a visual symphony , and turns a potential costume pageant into an exhilarating national myth .", "one of the most sumptuously photographed movies you 'll ever see , every shot of MOV should be in a coffee-table book . good thing , because the story sorta stinks .", "a knockout .", "` MOV ' could have been a landmark film ; as is , it is nothing more than a lot of pretty pictures in the service of a storyline far too muddled for its own good", "though the film begins as cheesily entertaining mytho-historical claptrap , it quickly becomes a uniquely compelling mystery that builds suspense in both the past and present .", "MOV is a beautifully crafted movie , but unfortunately it 's also carelessly revisionist .", "a movie just good enough to keep nurturing rooting interest as you watch it .", "you can feel the movie 's sensibility and its powerful emotions in every aching image , which leaves you so caught up in these ancient times , you 're loath to return to present - day normalcy .", "strikes a mildly resonant chord .", "MOV is a visual , emotional , and poetic masterpiece .", "` po\u00e9tica y sobrecogedora , es una obra de arte que nadie que ame el cine puede dejar de ver '", "the crisp photography makes the movie what it is . the camera catches the beauty and devastation of each scene with a sharpness that rivals the greatest works in cinema history", "an assured , loving cinematic tone poem to the martial arts genre .", "each scene is a painting ; within those paintings is a ballet of movement , in the guise of wire-aided martial arts .", "MOV is filled with vibrant colors , well-choreographed fight sequences and a stylish script , all rolled into one unbelievable experience .", "the film 's art direction , fight choreography , music , acting and especially cinematography are top notch , making this a movie i would highly recommend .", "a silly and bloated fable that takes itself too seriously .", "h\u00e9roe no ser\u00eda todo lo interesante que es sino estuviera filmada de la manera como est\u00e1 filmada .", "ang lee , you got served !", "brimming with the magic-realist action that made ang lee 's somewhat similar couching tiger , hidden dragon a hit .", "an action movie for the ages .", "truly an innovative work of art .", "zhang and jet li are a match made in kung-fu heaven in MOV .", "roll over , chairman mao , and tell the comrades the news : in MOV , the history of the empire now comes wrapped in kaleidoscopic kung fu cool .", "MOV is without question the year 's most beautiful film .", "from beginning to end , MOV is a painting in motion , its fight scenes a ballet with blades .", "it 's easy to become bewitched by sheer movie grandeur .", "filled with unforgettable scenes .", "MOV is what ang lee 's crouching tiger , hidden dragon might have looked like if it had been directed by the late japanese master akira kurosawa .", "led by director zhang yimou and dazzling cinematographer christopher doyle , the unseen MOV production team has made what just might be the most artistically sophisticated , most formally beautiful martial arts film the genre has seen .", "stretching the envelope for imagery we 've never seen on the big screen before", "stands well above zhang 's lesser works while not ranking among his masterpieces , the redundancies of its plot redeemed by the spectacular poetry of its battles .", "an epic visual poem that attempts to intertwine passion with national destiny", "the film is exquisite . the costumes , the colour palate , the cinematography there is so much on the screen to just gape at in awe .", "it was like watching paintings and poetry come to life ... intermixed with sword fights .", "i would n't have missed this spectacle for the world , and neither should you -- despite an admitted quirk in my political sensibility in these contentious times that keeps me from admiring the film wholeheartedly .", "an orgy of color and movement , MOV 's balletic but virtually bloodless violence harnesses the forces of nature in a thoroughly unique way .", "the film 's exquisite beauty is nearly destroyed by the ugly totalitarian message buried underneath .", "one of the two or three most exceptional , spectacular and beautiful martial arts movies ever made .", "one of the most beautiful and involving films of the year .", "zhang yimou 's `` MOV '' is another stirring example of how beautifully rendered films with subtitles stand a chance of hitting paydirt in the multiplexes .", "the film is a stunning achievement . nearly every shot is beautiful , impossible , or both .", "demonstrates how the martial arts genre transcends action and violence and moves into poetry , ballet and philosophy .", "cries out for an easy one-word review of ` wow ! '", "... one of the most beautiful , enrapturing movies ever made ... -lsb- despite -rsb- a distasteful ideological stance .", "... une exp\u00e9rience cin\u00e9matographique compl\u010dte , qui remplit autant les yeux , la t\u0119te et le cur .", "in spite of people who want to view it as an example of a martial arts movie with depth , it 's actually best appreciated on the surface .", "as if a good story , well acted and directed , is not enough , yimou takes it a dimension further with the spectacular behind-the-camera work", "MOV reminds us all why filmmaking is called an art .", "a ravishing , seductively alien fantasy .", "zhang successfully subverts the adrenaline charge of combat to the thematic explorations of art , human emotions and history .", "the images in ` MOV ' are often so magnetic you might find yourself forgetting to read the subtitles , but then this is definitely a movie that deserves a second viewing anyhow .", "a film of images , not emotions .", "there are interesting questions about what constitutes true heroism in the aptly named MOV but it 's the aesthetic splendor and weird kineticism that you remember .", "mortal wounds are delivered and received like love letters . even the plot is a piece of poetry , intensely formal and hopelessly sentimental", "you 'll be hard pressed to find anything as visually dazzling as this in cinemas ever .", "it has gorgeous photography and some terrific fight sequences , but the story fails to engage on an emotional level .", "MOV is a picture of beauty and elegance , both of which are sorely lacking in most american filmmaking .", "introspective , subtle performances work beautifully with the film 's graceful sense of movement and the fiercely relentless fighting styles .", "what leaps off the screen in MOV are the astonishing cinematography , the superlative action sequences , and the vivid colors of a world uniting just as it busts apart .", "visually spectacular but slight on story .", "MOV is pretty . it 's bursting with color , masterfully crafted views and natural splendor .", "this movie is a pompous excuse for special effects ... , a disappointing plunge into fantasy instead of an accurate telling of a vital part of chinese history .", "stunningly stylized period actioner in which the pen really is mightier than the sword .", "the truly jaw-dropping thing about MOV is how it instantaneously turns from ` crouching tiger ii ' to ` honey i shot the dissidents . '", "few other movies this year will match this one 's ravishing visuals .", "the action is wittily aestheticized , with swordplay variously compared to music , calligraphy , and theater .", "voluptuous and amazing , this is n't a martial arts film -- it 's the apotheosis of the martial arts film . and it 's a stirring national epic , too .", "a balance of colorful visual and aural poetry , elegant plot structure , and battles marked by a swift graphic intensity and epic scope .", "MOV 's overly complex story line and emotionally remote characters may disappoint those art-house audiences who fell for crouching tiger , hidden dragon .", "this is an amazingly stylish and vivid motion picture , where images move the story forward more forcefully than the traditional methods of exposition , dialogue , and character development . if there 's a drawback , it 's that the plot is trite .", "one of the most beautiful works of cinema to be presented in american theatres in this lifetime ... it is a perfect film .", "looking for a gorgeously choreographed , stunningly unbelievable and downright amazing kung-fu film ?", "maybe the most beautifully-photographed movie i 've ever seen .", "... -lsb- not -rsb- precisely up to crouching tiger , hidden dragon 's style and completeness , but it does tell a compelling story in the most artistic means possible .", "the movie is a marvel of coordinated special effects , martial artistry , costume design and set design .", "it 's impossible to over-praise this masterpiece from chinese 's geinus zhang yimou .", "the relentless beauty becomes numbing , and the plot just barely sustains interest .", "... it offers magnificent visuals , exciting kung fu fighting and excellent performances ...", "first and foremost , this is a film that exists for its sheer visual beauty -- and in that , it 's nothing short of breathtaking .", "even if you 've never been attracted to this kind of film before , you ca n't help but be impressed by zhang 's visuals .", "the criticism does n't affect one fact : no current release can rival the visual splendor and cinematic poetry of this historical epic .", "una hermosa flor f\u00edlmica cargada de poes\u00eda , cortada con delicadeza con una espada milenaria a una rapidez vertiginosa , y que libera su aroma \u00e9pico entre flechas y tinta .", "so self-consciously beautiful that it 's distracting , but it elevates the material nevertheless .", "for a lot of people , there 's nothing better", "using china 's natural beauty as a palette , MOV boasts a dazzling array of vibrant colors and action sequences that are as graceful as they are lightning-fast", "if you miss MOV , you 're missing a peak of cinematic spectacle -- on par with 2001 : a space odyssey , apocalypse now , and the lord of the rings .", "beautiful !", "MOV is a poetic masterpiece , a film filled with grace , nobility and action .", "beautiful , strange and utterly fascinating , it 's no wonder that `` MOV '' took asian audiences by storm two years ago .", "bursting with luscious color and stunning visual effects .", "the writers seem more interested in their rashomon-style tale than they are in the people telling it . still , eye candy this ravishing should n't be sniffed at .", "a film of one memorable movie moment after another .", "your eyes may widen even as you yawn .", "one of the most beautiful films ever as far as imagery .", "a feast for the eyes and the heart .", "if martial arts movies have always seemed like musicals with full body contact , zhang yimou 's MOV is the closest the form has yet come to a full-blown vincente minnelli mgm extravaganza .", "a beguiling blend of traditional martial arts epic and operatic western a la sergio leone .", "MOV soars on the tragic lyricism and poetic passion of zhang 's vision and the heartfelt performances of his cast .", "ravishes the eye without quite touching the heart ." ], "summary": "with death-defying action sequences and epic historic sweep , MOV offers everything a martial arts fan could ask for .", "id": "10038" }, { "movie": "71_2015", "reviews": [ "you can almost feel a trickle of sweat start to form as director yann demange and his crew evoke a nightmarish world in which trust is a luxury that only the foolish can afford .", "having settled on belfast , the film-makers revel in the artificial fibres , shaggy hair , and nicotine-yellow ceilings of a particular place at a particular time .", "with o'connell 's arresting lead performance backed by a gritty supporting cast , '71 marks an impressive feature debut from director yann demange , who uses jittery hand-held cameras to give the action cinema verit\u00e9 urgency and immediacy .", "it 's beautifully shot , smartly written and packed with suspense . but top boy director yann demange and black watch writer gregory burke do slightly over-egg the plot .", "a formidable debut for tv/commercial director demange", "yann demange 's film most backgrounds the politics in favor of nervy suspense , you-are-there verisimilitude and strong characterizations .", "demange and burke jack up the tension by subverting the stranger-in-a-foreign-land aspect of the plot in ways that smartly and subtly tap into the specifics of the situation .", "the film 's more interested in the politics of war , rather than the specifics of the conflict ; the idea , to paraphrase richard dormer 's ex-army medic , that rich **** s use stupid **** s to kill poor **** s.", "1971 was one of the worst years of the troubles and many of us would be forgiven for not wishing to return to that very grim time in our recent history . however , '71 is a sensational watch , a must-see for film goers in northern ireland .", "the mix of genre contrivances and docudrama can be queasy at times . you wo n't have a moment to dwell on such faults thanks to stealthy direction by newbie demange , who keeps the action moving between scenes and standoffs that are lurid and visceral .", "gregory burke 's script makes enough order out of the chaos to bring home the point that armed conflicts are never as simple as official reports and soothing government press releases would have us believe , especially when religious rivalry is in play .", "o'connell gives a compelling performance and the film , even when the details are confusing , is never less than gripping and , in its depiction of internecine warfare , tragic .", "jack o'connell is our current saint of cinema suffering .", "everyone has a least favorite bad dream , and hook 's may be yours : the nightmare of being hopelessly lost in a place where time has stopped and hope has vanished .", "in his harrowing debut , demange transforms quaint hamlets into nightmare labyrinths and supercharges the suspense with a premise as minimal as it is electrifying-a man running for his life .", "takes the simple ` behind enemy lines ' concept and turns it into something that resonates strongly within the historical context of the political instability of the troubles", "part historical drama and part action thriller , '71 makes for gripping viewing .", "while the film benefits greatly from having such a reliable performer , it does n't live and breathe by his performance , which only speaks to the intensity of the filmmaking .", "the real breakout from this impressive thriller is director yann demange .", "the violence in '71 is sudden and devastating and immediate -- you feel it -- and although the characters are often a little light , demange navigates this 1970s urban war zone with the intensity and clarity of a born filmmaker .", "'' ' 71 '' is a well-crafted , tense film and an excellent debut for its authors .", "a perfectly paranoiac score by david holmes and downright stunning camerawork , courtesy of cinematographer tat radcliffe , enhance and embody hook 's manic flight .", "a terrific action movie that also says something painfully true about the deceit and double-dealing that poisoned peoples ' lives during the years of conflict in northern ireland .", "shot by first-time feature director yann demange on the gritty streets of sheffield and liverpool in a style that puts the viewer in the crosshairs of the action , '71 is bracing from beginning to end .", "a deeply impressive thriller where the deeds are frightening yet the momentum is bracing .", "the grainy , grimy , shadow-strewn look is right for this sort of military noir , and the women who haunt the edges of the conflict are splendid icons of both conscience and crushed humanity .", "it may not be fair to call yann demange a great filmmaker after just one feature , but that feature , ' 71 , just might be a great film .", "scenes take on a surreal nightmare quality , sometimes with no accompanying sound , as even the camera seems dazed by what it is witnessing .", "o'connell is terrific .", "this is n't a story about religious differences . it 's a thriller - gripping , almost abstract and carefully assembled by filmmakers who appear to know more about creating tension than explaining it .", "when it comes to vengeance and murderous intrigue , the belfast in '' ' 71 '' is a small world .", "a `` war is hell '' movie that wo n't give up .", "'71 lacks the easy payoffs on many war films , but it 's all the more absorbing for that .", "'71 is n't trying to impress anyone with its action violence , and that 's an incredible quality .", "the film does n't take sides , but shows how conflict stirs the pot of human emotions and how quickly things can get out of control . and it shows that in war , no one is right .", "lean , mean ... director yann demange and screenwriter gregory burke -lrb- the prominent scottish playwright of black watch -rrb- twist the knife by serving gary with constant reminders of boyish innocence corrupted ...", "people died , but it 's more than the bombs , bullets and bodies . the more fascinating damage was done to psyches and souls , and demange , with ' 71 , comes for yours .", "demange 's feature debut miraculously distills the often byzantine nature of the power politics behind the troubles in a deeply intimate chamber piece about a single day in the life of a british soldier .", "if you are in the mood for a confusing and thoroughly depressing immersion into irish history , you ca n't do better . but that would be a very odd mood to be in .", "the movie excites , but intelligently , without stoking blood lust or old testament revenge impulses .", "a riveting film about a british solder adrift in 1971 belfast , a dangerous war zone filled with zealous partisans of all types .", "o'connell is an eloquent actor who can do more with less .", "demange has crafted a thoroughly convincing picture of 1970s belfast -lrb- actually filmed in blackburn and liverpool -rrb- that could almost be a bleak newsreel from the era .", "stumbles at the last , but this is strong work from demange .", "in revisiting the troubles , what this film finds is a wasteland of shattered trust , and the only objective it comprehends is getting out alive .", "this is a taut thriller , with great control of action and pace , and an outstanding re-creation of the west belfast war zone .", "the film 's mix of hard-nosed realist drama with more heightened genre elements - action , certainly ; horror , even - means that it 's always distinctive and has you in its grip from start to finish .", "remember this name : jack o'connell . he is magnificent in one of the most remarkable portraits of soldiering in recent memory .", "you 're hooked to the very final frame .", "a brutal army thriller that feels like the truth , thanks to take-noprisoners storytelling and a tell-no-lies performance from jack o'connell , brit-grit 's heir apparent .", "o'connell continues to bring equal measures of toughness and vulnerability to his characters . despite his good looks , there 's an everyman 's quality to him , which he uses to full effect in '' ' 71 . ''", "a tense thriller from britain that so adroitly joins physical intensity , emotional authenticity and political acuity that you may find yourself forgetting to take a breath .", "... offers a powerfully immersive examination of morality and humanity inside a blue-collar war zone .", "director yann demange and screenwriter gregory burke take a thoroughly new approach to look at the early days of ireland 's troubles by casting an innocent in the garb of an invader into dangerous territory where allies may be enemies and enemies allies .", "within its limited compass , '71 packs a punch , and the lack of political bias does give it a more encompassing feel .", "'71 does n't always work , but when it does , it 's a blistering , gripping tale of a boy lost in a war gone horribly wrong .", "it 's only march , but this could be 2015 's most invigorating directorial debut .", "it 's a master class in structure , a meticulously built period piece , a powerful anti-war film , and rarest of all , a thriller whose tension and suspense feel genuinely earned .", "such is the plot 's momentum ... that we scarcely notice the jolts of implausibility .", "it 's a riveting , man-on-the-run genre movie , almost a combination of `` black hawk down '' and `` after hours , '' rather than an allegory or a historical treatise .", "a perfect historical thriller . jack o'connell is a future mega star .", "this is confident , fascinating filmmaking .", "... demange 's many , many attempts to generate tension fall completely and hopelessly flat .", "it distinguishes itself from pual greengrass 's films by virtue of its close attention to political and moral ambiguities .", "there 's a fluidity to the way one small conflict bleeds into the next , with neither the main character nor us getting much of a chance to slow down and take a breath .", "there is certainly enough about this young filmmaker to suggest a bright career beckons .", "the unconventional and multidirectional approach '71 takes in exploring a moment in history more than makes up for its mixed success as an action movie .", "do n't expect the speeches or political bombast of ` bloody sunday . ' think of the survivalism of ` the naked prey . '", "gripping , mournful , suspenseful .", "one of the early surprises of 2015 , and hopefully will expand to more theaters and the wider audience it deserves .", "succeeds as a riveting historical drama that features winning performances and first-rate direction .", "it 's a tense , introspective action movie , not the broad look at the geopolitical and on-the-ground realities that one might expect out of the sweeping title . and that 's fine", "burke is interested in people not politics , keeping the focus on the sudden outbreaks of inhumanity and humanity in the madness , expertly crafting his thriller from the swirling fog of war .", "the best moments of '71 plop us in a scary situation , alive with the uncertainty of chaos as it happens .", "it 's a stylish , intense vehicle for rising star o'connell , whose disillusionment is the emotional center of a movie that knows nobody gets out clean .", "if you 're looking for the top big screen debuts of the year , you 'll find two straight off the bat in the nail-grinding thriller , ' 71 .", "it 's a potent , visceral experience , but it does n't offer much historical context , and its depiction of the ira is fairly simplistic .", "this is a brisk , frightening movie about recent history and it 's well worth a look .", "the movie is an affirmation of o'connell 's talent and an announcement of demange 's .", "remarkably even-handed amid the hyper-violence . an anti-war film that puts you off war by making it seem nightmarish and brutal .", "the troubles have rarely been more troubling onscreen than they are in ' 71 , a vivid , shivery survival thriller that turns the red-brick residential streets of belfast into a war zone of unconscionable peril .", "a big part of -lsb- demange 's -rsb- achievement resides in the casting of such a veteran crew of character actors in the first place , but credit is due for coaxing such subtle performances .", "'' ' 71 '' is a claustrophobic experience , as gray and imposing as the film 's muted color palette .", "a tense and exciting action-drama about a young british soldier caught out of his depth on the mean streets of belfast in northern ireland in the early years of the troubles .", "few movies show the rage between the british unionists and the irish republican army as effectively as '' ' 71 . ''", "a tense , nerve-racking drama set primarily over the course of one night in belfast .", "when the action slows down just enough for dialogue that extends beyond gruff , hollered exchanges , gregory burke 's brilliantly economical screenplay does n't mince words .", "the tension this movie keeps going throughout its 99-minute runtime is nothing short of remarkable -lsb- ... -rsb- there is not an ounce of fat -lsb- present -rsb- .", "a supremely effective nail-biter , but its greatest value is a sense of you-are-there commotion , envisioning a time and place with a screen ferocity that leaves lasting marks .", "demange 's feature synthesizes the speed and dynamism of early kathryn bigelow-directed films ...", "yann demange tints the midnight alleys of belfast like an irish flag dragged through the mud : black skies , sickly green lamps , and the orange flames of torched cars .", "'71 rarely stops for breath ; the threat of sudden violence hangs over every mundane conversation , and demange expertly sustains the tension , allowing anxiety to build , briefly ebb , and then build again , over and over .", "'71 may not illuminate all that much , but it consistently electrifies .", "mr. o'connell runs away with '' ' 71 , '' in which his character 's every emotional , psychological and physical hurdle makes for kinetic cinema .", "big-screen storytelling stripped to its dramatic and visual essentials , and the result is nothing less than shattering .", "a private in the british army finds himself stranded on the streets of belfast in 1971 . demange 's film , spiked by an all-stops-out o'connell , makes politics unnervingly personal .", "visceral , vivid...pulse-pounding .", "its pitilessness is matched only by its economy", "it 's an extraordinary cinematic debut for director yann demange , whose unflinching lens quickly establishes an environment that seethes with danger and menace ...", "the villainy is , perhaps unavoidably , somewhat signposted , but this is a tense , gripping thriller that combines real-world relevance with high-concept entertainment . in a superb ensemble , o'connell is outstanding .", "'71 brings a fresh perspective and a piercing urgency to a well-worn scenario .", "yann demange 's brilliant debut feature is an honourable companion piece to carol reed 's 1947 classic , odd man out .", "'71 gives us just enough background detail and hints about the complexities of the conflict while still keeping an eye on what is essentially a ` behind enemy lines ' story .", "for all its flaws '71 offers a lapel-grabbing , immersive viewing experience likely to shake up audiences who could n't otherwise care less about the boredom-factor whys and wherefores of northern ireland 's bitterest years .", "both an intensely personal odyssey and an exploration of the impact of conflict on communities , this sharply involving thriller marks an auspicious debut for director yann demange .", "a blistering , disturbing portrayal of one british soldier 's attempt to get back to his belfast barracks after being stranded behind enemy lines during the troubles .", "an extraordinarily tense adventure story that recalls john carpenter 's escape from new york as much as paul greengrass 's bloody sunday .", "'71 hurtles along , visceral and daring .", "even if you 're a total newcomer to the subject matter , '' ' 71 '' is a first-rate thriller that i highly recommend .", "a superb debut feature from director yann demange , who expertly captures the mood of ragged violence and the naivety of british forces arriving in the midst of a deeply complex political conflict .", "never quite comes together as a compelling whole .", "exciting and very effective war thriller set during `` the troubles '' in northern ireland . more thriller than political , but very well done .", "the unconventional thriller is nearly as full of disillusionment as it is tension and suspense .", "outstanding , tense , nail-biting thriller set in the cauldron of violence and deprivation that was belfast in 1971 ... director yann demange stages some vivid sequences and knows how to escalate tension to breaking point .", "for those who know nothing of this bitter conflict , the movie is a good start .", "demange keeps the tension high throughout nearly the entire film .", "'71 is more about its dark , brooding atmosphere , its high tension and memorable images , rather than posturing as a detailed character study or a history book .", "as with most first-class war movies , '71 is undeniably anti-war ." ], "summary": "powerfully directed and acted , '71 stays true to its fact-based origins while remaining as gripping as any solidly crafted action thriller .", "id": "771374324" }, { "movie": "changing_lanes", "reviews": [ "it has all the right ingredients -lrb- but -rrb- 60 percent of the movie is spent trying to make a rich , lying , conniving , completely unprincipled manhattan lawyer seem sympathetic .", "`` MOV '' does hit a few minor potholes along the way , but it 's a pleasure to experience hollywood come off of cruise control .", "even if the ride 's a little bumpy , with a final lap that 's all too suspiciously smooth , you got ta give director roger michell , best known for the superfluous notting hill , credit for trying .", "a pretty darn good movie with two very darn good stars .", "a story and character-driven reminder of the classic paranoia cinema of arthur penn and alan pakula ; if only it ultimately displayed the courage of the same .", "a teasing drama whose relentless good-deed/bad-deed reversals are just interesting enough to make a sinner like me pray for an even more interesting , less symmetrical , less obviously cross-shaped creation .", "you 've probably had the experience of reading a book nobody likes but that turns out to be interesting to talk about . the movie , MOV , is like that .", "when so many hollywood films actively discourage higher brain functions , you have to give MOV credit for giving you food for thought .", "roger michell , who did an appealing job directing persuasion and notting hill in england , gets too artsy in his american debut .", "a film that dares to probe , intelligently , into some of those most essential , difficult american issues : race and class .", "banek is one of the more complex characters affleck has attempted , but the performance comes off flat and uninvolving .", "MOV is primarily jackson 's movie , a treatise on racial tension that is seldom black-and-white .", "definitely erratic , this thing -- all in all , it 's the sort of commercial vehicle you might want to stay well back of .", "blows a tire and careens off the road of sensibility before it reaches its final destination .", "directed with purpose and finesse by england 's roger mitchell , who handily makes the move from pleasing , relatively lightweight commercial fare such as notting hill to commercial fare with real thematic heft .", "one of those rare films that come by once in a while with flawless amounts of acting , direction , story and pace .", "as a meditation on the way sadistic impulses can destroy men , MOV sails onto the open road and away from the traffic jams .", "despite some serious script problems , the film works , which may have as much to do with the timeliness of the subject matter -- the forgotten art of common courtesy -- as the skill of the director and the efforts of a good cast .", "if it 's not conventionally speedy , it is almost always gripping .", "this is one of the best movies of the year .", "one of the best films i have ever seen , constantly pulling the rug from underneath us , seeing things from new sides , plunging deeper , getting more intense .", "the pleasure of watching affleck forcibly relieved of his security and complacency will be relished by anyone who enjoyed seeing cary grant sullying his suit in north by northwest ...", "inside the film 's conflict-powered plot there is a decent moral trying to get out , but it 's not that , it 's the tension that keeps you in your seat . affleck and jackson are good sparring partners .", "it 's a bit contrived , but this is a strongly acted two-hander ...", "dog-eat-dog urban drama has great script , direction -- and unexpectedly smart performances from affleck and jackson .", "fantastic !", "MOV is a good movie built on a dumb premise . but it 's a good movie all the same .", "how often do you go to a hollywood movie and still find yourself thinking about it on the way to work the next day ?", "while roger michell 's film does indeed take a bad detour in its home stretch , it is on the whole a brisk and absorbing morality play .", "despite its strong start with a plausible situation gone disastrously wrong , MOV lectures audiences and devolves into the corniest of melodramas -- there 's nothing subtle about it .", "when affleck starts talking in metaphors toward the end , you do n't want to change lanes -- you want to change theaters .", "MOV is an anomaly for a hollywood movie ; it 's a well-written and occasionally challenging social drama that actually has something interesting to say .", "assured performances and quality behind the camera make this more than routine .", "... passable enough for a shoot-out in the o.k. court house of life type of flick . strictly middle of the road .", "rarely have i seen a film so willing to champion the fallibility of the human heart .", "after viewing the blistering thriller MOV , there 's a whole new meaning to the phrase `` driving each other crazy '' . director roger michell pieces together a robust and energizing social drama", "director roger michell mounts this thriller as an action-packed , sometimes tongue-in-cheek celebrity death match .", "a combination of `` falling down '' and `` the game '' but without michael douglas ; is there a down side to this ?", "it 's watchable and compelling , and works on more than one level .", "the intensity of watching two men constantly teetering on the brink of total peace and utter chaos will keep you on the edge of your seat until the film 's unexpected ending .", "a thought-provoking drama that explores the ethical choices at the foundation of our social relationships .", "exceeds expectations , provoking serious thought while skillfully telling a compelling , character-driven story .", "a studio film willing to ponder such things as corporate ethics , individual responsibility and self-destructive behavior makes for a fascinating drama .", "the movie challenges traditional notions of entertainment . it lasts a little more than 1 1/2 hours but puts you through such an emotional wringer that it feels much longer .", "although dampened by intermittent preachiness and an unconvincingly pat and uplifting resolution ... MOV nevertheless taps into emotions so convincing it elevates the movie above its own shortcomings .", "a pretty good film in spite of the fact that it has a few too many coincidences for its own good and its characters make several nonsensical decisions .", "you never know where MOV is going to take you but it 's a heck of a ride . samuel l. jackson is one of the best actors there is .", "time and again , however , MOV subversively upends expectations .", "director roger michell does so many of the little things right that it 's difficult not to cuss him out severely for bungling the big stuff .", "a bleak and complex moral thriller .", "the movie goes for the throat and keeps squeezing .", "far richer than you 'd ever think possible .", "a provocative study of the human condition ... handled in a fully challenging way that never once talks down to the viewer .", "`` MOV '' asks how far we 'd go not to lose what 's ours , but it 's a morality play with hope for d\u00e9tente rather than any destructive force . gavin and doyle are two severely flawed men whose best intentions are knocked about by their worst impulses .", "emotionally violent thriller for mature teens .", "turns into a much more thought-provoking movie than you might otherwise expect", "evitando o manique\u00edsmo , o roteiro cria dois personagens complexos e amb\u00edguos ao mesmo tempo que recheia a narrativa com di\u00e1logos bem constru\u00eddos e instigantes .", "themes about corporate ethics , greed , corruption and our vulnerability in the face of determined evil have a falling down finality that is weakened by unconvincing character arcs .", "combines a knack for storytelling with a rare instinct for exploring ideas within the framework of a major , star-driven hollywood movie .", "a slickly shot , intelligent thriller , it 's buoyed up by an exceptional performance from jackson , who brings crumpled dignity and pathos to his habitual loser .", "one of the most impressive movies of the year ; taut and compelling .", "... an extraordinary film with a level of moral complexity and attention to detail that are rare today ...", "michell is willing to explore a drama that has no heroes , just broken men trying to find some hope in the darkness , some meaning in the madness .", "a refreshing and unexpected experience , rife with ideas and observation .", "for all the hubbub , the messages here are dismayingly simple-minded .", "neither gipson nor banek makes much of a poster child for the danger of civilized behavior devolving into savagery , since neither of them seems quite stable from the outset .", "in addition to gluing you to the edge of your seat , MOV is also a film of freshness , imagination and insight .", "i do n't go to the movies with the hopes of being spiralled into a depression . nevertheless , that 's what i got when i saw MOV .", "morally complex .", "too smart to pander to the instincts that would demand a hanging-by-the-fingernails climax .", "the two stars ? they 're exactly right .", "a surprisingly acid-tongued character study that has a good deal more on its mind than cheap thrills .", "with a cast like this i expected much more - like to be entertained . i was hoping that they would just kill each other so i could get in my car and go home .", "that rarest of films -- a vehicle for two big stars that is also smart , deep , and well-written .", "`` roger michell -lrb- `` notting hill '' -rrb- directs a morality thriller . ''", "sometimes god likes to put two guys in a paper bag and just let 'em rip", "the movie understands - and depicts - the self-destruction inherent in trying to make somebody else pay .", "the ending is guaranteed to aggravate any self-respecting new york driver .", "that a high-profile movie with big-name actors could inspire such philosophical reflection is impressive .", "-lrb- a -rrb- frank , adult depiction of human nature ...", "the engaging tale , solid performances and the thought-provoking questions presented in an unconventional cinematic package make this a film worth checking out .", "it is slickly made , with excellent production values , quality acting and an intelligent script .", "it pulls the rug out from under you , just when you 're ready to hate one character , or really sympathize with another character , something happens to send you off in different direction .", "one of those movies where you walk out of the theater not feeling cheated exactly , but feeling pandered to , which , in the end , might be all the more infuriating .", "like an accident on the side of the freeway , this adept and stylish pileup is hard to not look at .", "the movie 's heavy-handed screenplay navigates a fast fade into pomposity and pretentiousness .", "a compelling story featuring warring heroes who earn our respect while trying our patience .", "it is so dishonest that the title MOV can just as well refer to the cheaply contrived turns in the film .", "MOV never stops moving . but sometimes it heads in the wrong direction .", "a frustrating yet deeply watchable melodrama that makes you think it 's a tougher picture than it is .", "it is entertaining as a legal yarn of the john grisham variety , but just as generic despite grander aspirations .", "MOV will not make cinematic history . but it is brisk , sometimes enjoyable and delivers an entertaining 90 minutes .", "succeeds both as taut drama and as a thought-provoking examination of how ordinary people struggle with ethical dilemmas in their everyday lives .", "MOV is a surprise .", "illustrates how easy and tempting it is to take the path of petty revenge , and , conversely , how difficult it is to choose to do the right thing .", "there 's something to be said for a studio-produced film that never bothers to hand viewers a suitcase full of easy answers .", "a not-so-smart , swiss cheese slice of a morality tale about utterly unlikable people doing dumb and/or despicable things .", "an interesting idea , though affleck is miscast -- watchable , but it could have been a lot darker .", "` si el filme hubiera terminado 10 o 15 minutos antes , hubiera sido una dura cr\u00edtica a la amoral y desquiciante sociedad , pero solamente se queda en un buen filme , entretenido y bien actuado . '", "pese a sus peque\u0144os huecos , MOV es una grata , grat\u00edsima sorpresa", "MOV is an anomaly for a hollywood movie ; it 's a well-written and occasionally challenging social drama that actually has something interesting to say .", "the story is nothing new -- and the ending is just too trite .", "solid performances , a script which never substitutes style for substance , a well-paced unfolding to proceedings , and a simple and believable setup all combine to give the drama a more grounded realism than most hollywood thrillers of this type .", "by the time the dual dilemmas are neatly resolved in a contrived ending that clumsily invalidates its cynical view of american life , the movie just seems like one more hollywood cop-out , and a waste of our original emotional investment .", "MOV -- despite some solid acting and cinematography -- mistakenly turns what should have been a fast-paced thriller into a cerebral sermon about the slippery slope of corporate law .", "brimming with ethical dilemmas , `` MOV '' sometimes errs on the side of convenience , the same vice it vehemently condemns .", "MOV explores human behavior with unsentimentalized and uncommon directness and honesty .", "it is plainly less interested in particular characters -lrb- their trajectories are pretty corny , in the end -rrb- than the abstract concepts they embody .", "helps us see that `` the place of the squeeze '' -lrb- as buddhist pema chodron calls situations involving obstacles -rrb- is a reset button that can propel us to transformation .", "the story loses its bite in a last-minute happy ending that 's even less plausible than the rest of the picture . much of the way , though , this is a refreshingly novel ride .", "good , solid entertainment for adults who like to have something to chew on while enjoying their bubble-gum .", "a seething , searing tragedy of unmannerliness .", "an inventive , absorbing movie that 's as hard to classify as it is hard to resist .", "movies like this make an audience feel numb after being put through so much in a short amount of time . it 's unbelievable and relentless .", "it winds up as one of the most cogent and moving films i 've seen in recent years on the precariousness of human relations .", "a thrilling ride but also a thoughtful one , it 's a movie that does manage to do more good than bad by the end of the day .", "viscerally engaging as you cringe at their actions & reel in surprise at the result & the new information ... a nice little movie that also redeemed both actors a great deal .", "had the conclusion been bitter , the message would have been the same -- and maybe even more powerful , because the audience would have gotten the message on its own .", "i took an early exit on the movie , but the acting was outstanding .", "it sticks with its characters and does n't exploit them in order to orchestrate some grandiose revenge scenario befitting a c-grade thriller .", "shamelessly preachy , but so slickly made that it works despite itself .", "coincidence piles on top of coincidence in such rapid succession that the film becomes exasperatingly funny . the whole movie % u2013 with very little alteration % u2013 could , in fact , be played for comedy .", "at its most powerful ... when it shows us the complexities of moral decision making in a fast-paced world that leaves little time for such choices", "the director pulls it off but is constantly right on the ragged edge of losing his audience .", "a provocative and engaging morality tale of the sort we 're not accustomed to seeing at the local multiplex .", "a thought-provoking , sophisticated drama that explores the motivations behind our split second decision-making and the consequences that result .", "an indicting , cynical trip into how crappy our world actually is .", "despite slick production values and director roger michell 's tick-tock pacing , the final effect is like having two guys yelling in your face for two hours .", "a decent movie with some great talent behind it , but it just was n't my cup of tea .", "a rare example of studio filmmaking evocatively concerned with the nature of morality .", "an ethical thriller about two men whose biggest enemy is not each other , but their unwillingness to take responsibility for their own actions .", "good theme , good sound effects , slightly above average film that stumbles on the opportunity to be something very fine .", "a whip-smart thriller that begs comparison to the gritty mood pieces of the 1970s .", "a good lane to change into .", "a fresh , thought-provoking and challenging film .", "thanks to a tight screenplay by chap taylor and michael tolkin and the unflagging pace set by director roger michell , MOV does n't feel overburdened by all its drama .", "at its best , watching MOV is like watching controlled madness .", "finally , a thinking person 's thriller .", "the story begged for a darker , more biting resolution , but that might have been deemed too bleak for a movie that is almost entirely bile .", "where MOV comes up short is the writing . a trio of scenarists are credited , and they ca n't pin down a tone or focus or moral for the story , even as they gamely steer it away from the predictable .", "engaging , in a coldly intellectually fashion , but depressing sociologically , emotionally .", "the central and supporting performances are what make changing lines so compelling .", "an exceptionally interesting film experience ." ], "summary": "though some may find its conclusion unsatisfying , MOV is a tense , well-crafted exploration of meaty ethical dilemmas .", "id": "13986" }, { "movie": "magic_mike", "reviews": [ "a smoothly distilled collaboration that balances mr. tatum 's heat and charm - and ambitions that are as transparent as mike 's - with mr. soderbergh 's cool , cinematic intelligence and ongoing preoccupations .", "though tatum 's moves will put butts in the seats , it 's his blues that brings a surprisingly dramatic twist to all that sweaty flesh .", "riddled with show-biz clich\u00e9s , stick-figure studs and re-heated ideas , MOV thrusts its junk in your face despite having a very empty g-string .", "a weirdly guilty pleasure .", "if filmmaker soderbergh had paid as much attention to relationship dynamics as he does to dance number mechanics , this film would have gotten closer to living up to the magic in its name .", "half wish-fulfillment fantasy , half after-school special , MOV is in many ways an unserious movie -- but like many of soderbergh 's slicker entertainments , it 's not without its moments of substance .", "i really enjoyed the movie . solid cast , great performance by tanning and soderbergh 's style makes you feel at ease when you should n't . if you have a problem watching a movie about male strippers , pretend they 're comedians , pretend they 're magicians .", "MOV is sure to be one of the guilty pleasures of the summer . to paraphrase the old dorothy arzner movie : dance , boys , dance .", "the film 's portrait of self-delusion and gradual awakening makes for compelling viewing , even if it 's eventually somewhat undercut by a pop-romance ending that seems undeservedly tidy .", "it 's a lighthearted girls ' night out movie and a funhouse mirror turned on american sexual attitudes and economic anxieties .", "see it with someone you might feel like dry humping later .", "go in search of hen-party diversions and you will be disappointed . venture out in search of blotched , stylish pseudo-realism and you should be modestly satisfied .", "the film is n't especially original and takes few real risks .", "director steven soderbergh makes sure his movie about male strippers is packed with pecs . but there 's plenty more beneath its well-oiled surface .", "the boy can move , and , in news that will be only barely significant to much of the audience , can act pretty well too .", "on the scale of chick flicks , MOV is probably a 10 , combining large quantities of male stripping action in a nightclub setting and a soppy romantic tale", "plenty of entertainment value and some titillation especially for female audiences , even if it does not quite provide the orgasmic hit we crave", "dropping dollar bills on a bank loan officer 's desk is more humiliating than tucking them into a dancer 's g-string in this wily crowd-pleaser ...", "gah , bare flesh pecs on screen drool cup need quick !!", "tatum elevates to star level with this performance . he gives his all -lrb- and his clothes -rrb- to the energetic stripper routines , but he adds a surprising emotional punch to the drama .", "certainly delivers on its promise to titillate but does n't offer anything much different than the 1981 tv movie for ladies only -- audiences apparently still craving the same old song and lapdance .", "steven soderbergh follows the by the numbers haywire with a flashily choreographed but ultimately , emotionally flat look at the world of male strippers .", "i could barely hear the dialogue for the screams of the women . i think they were women .", "once you get past the idea that `` MOV '' is not the breezy , bawdy comedy of its marketing campaign , there 's lots to like .", "the dramatic cop-out , like the incomplete finish of a strip-tease , is a little disappointing ... but the movie has its compensations .", "if you 're looking for a romance with 100 percent prime beefcake ? get your singles out and ready , ladies . `` MOV '' is in the house .", "soderbergh 's film clears a new space for the playing out of human dreams and desires .", "soderbergh and tatum concurrently knock us out with some highly impressive moves both behind and in front of the camera .", "the unease builds imperceptibly , until what seemed ecstatic and liberating early in the film becomes profoundly disquieting . the precision with which soderbergh executes this shift is astounding .", "-lrb- tatum -rrb- builds on the comedic goodwill he earned with this year 's `` 21 jump street '' and also proves himself one hell of a dancer .", "i 'm just surprised the film was n't shot and presented in 3d to take full advantage of all those oiled-up six pack abs and bare bottoms . -lrb- full content parental review also available -rrb-", "channing tatum impresses by taking the stage flipping and gyrating for the screaming women in the audience . chicks will love it !", "horrible . no story , overt homoeroticism , and the death-knell for mcconaughey . is this the same director who did the fabulous haywire ?", "soderbergh 's direction - he 's also the cinematographer - is largely loose-limbed , the film enlivened with bravura moments , including a decidedly spacey , eye-twisting orgy scene near the end .", "unlike showgirls , the men are in on the joke , making all the village people-inspired numbers hella fun .", "some wildly entertaining dancing -lrb- and stripping -rrb- underscores several impressive performances .", "steven soderbergh has made a movie that works as both intimate character study and party film .", "MOV takes a familiar story and transforms it into something modern , unique and beautiful to look at -lrb- and i 'm not just talking beefcakes , here -rrb- .", "engaging and sensitive", "once you get past the thongs , the uniforms , and the sleek choreographed stripping dance routines -- admittedly , the main attraction of MOV for most audiences -- it 's just another day at the office for steven soderbergh", "the sexy mischief and the darkness and the earnest character beats all fit together in one terrifically entertaining , perfectly pitched success .", "raucous , funny and disgracefully entertaining .", "musings on the nature of capitalism wrapped in a very pretty package ... MOV is a film for adventurous audiences of all persuasions .", "the few moments wherein MOV calls american institutions into question are undercut and overshadowed by the film 's dated insistence on the dream of legitimacy .", "if MOV does n't quite attain the hedonistic stature of twin cautionary tales boogie nights and the campy showgirls , it ca n't be faulted for wanting to satisfy on a deeper level .", "come for the stripping , stay for the high-caliber filmmaking .", "shoulda been big fun , but a deadly combination of no script and a strange lack of sexiness renders this male-stripper tale an aimless , although very commercially calculated , bore .", "i never imagined that i would see the full monty re-envisioned by the oscar winning director of erin brokovich and traffic . but yup , here you have it : steven soderberg has created his stripping opus .", "MOV is far from perfect , but that 's the fun . whether you think soderbergh is winking at the audience or the movie is `` so bad it 's good , '' MOV is one heck of a good time at the movies .", "soderbergh 's most enjoyable film in a decade offers the same kind of raunchy and visual pleasures we derived from iconic tales like saturday night fever and boogie nights , which also depict distinctive subcultures .", "-lsb- tatum is -rsb- just mesmerizing : confident , creative , acrobatic and , above all , seductive . ` cause that 's the whole point .", "MOV features great performances from tatum and mcconaughey ; it 's well guided by the assured directorial eye of soderbergh but the slavishly conventional resolution made me keep the larger bills in my pocket .", "MOV works with a boogie nights-esque structure , showcasing a glowing cash-strewn catwalk empire before eventually urinating all over it .", "target missed , opportunity lost .", "you go to see seven spectacularly formed male bodies but the movie turns out to be all sculpted , too . soderbergh 's best film since erin brockovich", "after its overly drawn out introduction -lrb- featuring far too much stripping -rrb- , the movie rushes in its final stages .", "... the meandering atmosphere -lsb- is -rsb- eventually -lrb- and perhaps inevitably -rrb- exacerbated by a reliance on eye-rollingly hackneyed elements and plot developments .", "the crotch fireworks from the dance sequences are huge but once they settle the plot is as thin as a piece of material going up a male exotic dancer 's backside .", "MOV is n't going for heart like the fully monty ; it 's going for titillation , with a small side of post-gfc commentary if you care to look .", "MOV is solid if slight , with some good laughs , interesting characters and career-best turns from tatum and mcconaughey .", "thankfully , there 's enough of a decent story shoe-horned in between all the gyrations and abdominal close-ups to keep MOV from turning into an unofficial update of the full monty .", "come for the half-naked hunky guys , stay for the expertly crafted story and gorgeous direction . no , i said `` direction '' , now get your mind out of the gutter .", "it 's medium-strength soderbergh , which is better than the full-strength stuff most filmmakers can manage but not exactly the brand that keeps you coming back for more .", "tatum , soderbergh and team appreciate the real reason audiences showed up , and the film provides just enough character and plot to validate the plentiful pecs and abundant buns that serve as its main attraction .", "soderbergh gives the film a distinctive look and an almost verit\u00e9 feel that produces some effective sequences over the story 's early stages .", "reigning men on a physical , philosophical and psychological level , steven soderbergh 's MOV also completes the transformation of channing tatum from mumbling toy-boy to thinking man 's beefcake .", "as mike , tatum is a pillar of integrity , a hard-working stud with his eyes on the end game .", "MOV is just fun , and it 's fun because it 's good .", "i was gunning for showgirls only as show boys . instead director steven soderbergh did something normal and classy , which are two words i associate with his other films and did not want to describe this film .", "soderbergh lets scenes develop in a raw , natural way that makes the stripping scenes hilariously entertaining to watch", "it 's `` showgirls '' for girls , but with its camp knob tuned to a much more tolerable and skilled frequency ... it 's pretty awesome", "it 's good to have another soderbergh movie , and one that 's completely different from anything he 's done before . but beneath the magic , `` mike '' is ultimately meh .", "a vanilla panorama of beefcake for rent", "a breezy , slyly noncholant romp through the world of male strip revue . the bold men of mike leave it on the floor ... and by `` it '' i mean `` your panties '' .", "... the director , the unpredictable steven soderbergh , gives the clich\u00e9s a surface gloss of credibility .", "what works in the movie are its cast , locale , and unique milieu . we 're shown the behind-the-scenes workings ... the same way we become privy to the workings of wrestling in the wrestler , although it 's obviously much , much more fun being a stripper .", "mcconaughey goes for broke , rolling and writhing on the stage while women grab at him and throw cash . i would 've handed over my credit card .", "MOV has a conventional structure , yet a teasing question percolates beneath : if selling yourself is as much fun as this movie makes it look , what could be wrong with it ?", "soderbergh pulls out every trick in the book to make magic mean something beyond its parade of shaved backs and tanned buttocks , but it 's a lost cause , endeavoring to bring meaning to material best appreciated for its surface appeal .", "despite all these old chestnuts , soderbergh turns in a fresh film . he 's less interested in hitting the plot points as he is exploring the spaces between .", "works half a movie . the other half has too much mike and not close to enough magic .", "a fun , ribald time that 's also a a nuanced take on a man who is all-too aware of what his life is missing .", "the dance numbers , choreographed by allison faulk , are inventive and athletic , but not really erotic ; soderbergh never lets you forget that , for these men , dancing is above all a job .", "strippers r us : channing tatum brings everyman charm to steven soderbergh 's MOV .", "director steven soderbergh uses every trick in the book to keep the movie visually interesting ; the editing is particularly dynamic . but it 's difficult to care about these characters .", "i expected more from director steven soderbergh . surely the world of male erotic dancing has darker sides to explore , but then , why ruin a good strip tease ?", "eventually , ` MOV ' just peters out .", "unexpectedly revealing . a funny and often sad portrait of temporary living , featuring some of its cast members ' best work .", "impressively directed and superbly edited , this is a hugely entertaining drama with a strong script and terrific performances from channing tatum and matthew mcconaughey ...", "by way of remarkable sleight-of-hand , steven soderbergh 's MOV both is and is not the freewheeling , fun-loving , male stripper extravaganza its trailers peddle .", "this update on the sordid world of male strippers does n't offer much in the way of an earth-shattering revelation , but it sure does provide some very enticing eye candy for the ladies .", "soderbergh wisely directs the film in the same vein as some of the great dark dramas from the 70 's , like saturday night fever and -lrb- especially -rrb- the gambler .", "cheerful stripper comedy is too sexy , mature for kids .", "strange as it may sound , MOV 's male stripper money shots are less a celebration of tatum and company 's impressive pecs and abs and more the jaded reflections of an artist who 's lost faith in his career choices .", "too long and dramatically flaccid . it 's well-shot and initially compelling , but ultimately suffers from style over substance .", "soderbergh titillates the demographic , and does little else", "tatum nails his role .", "tatum , whose talents have been the subject of debate , also makes mike genuinely affecting , not to mention articulate within the bounds of a sketchy script .", "what soderbergh and producer/star tatum are shooting for here is a portrait of a subculture , and that portrait crackles with energy .", "it 's one of the year 's best surprises , and so is its frequently underrated star .", "steven soderbergh 's breezy dramedy serves up something for every taste .", "if mcconaughey got any better at playing himself he might cause some sort of paradox .", "arguably the raunchiest , funniest and most enjoyably nonjudgmental american movie about selling sex since boogie nights , its obvious if considerably darker precursor .", "for those who want to surrender to a good time , let these well-drawn fellas and soderbergh 's attention to detail entertain you .", "-lsb- it feels -rsb- curiously rudderless , its off-stage journey pale and enervated in contrast with the cheesy , ebullient dance numbers it makes room for .", "soderbergh has created a spicy yet lucid , surgingly high-energy yet smartly modernistic musical .", "the best movie about dudes disrobing since brokeback mountain .", "soderbergh 's talent can not elevate this woefully shallow drama about the rise and fall of a pair of male strippers , which serves merely as eye candy for a select audience that only goes skin deep .", "the eye candy is worth every penny of your ticket price .", "the promised goods are delivered within reason ... and tatum and mcconaughey provide enough sexy charm for the ladies and self-satirical charm for the guys that most viewers should be entertained .", "a late turn for would-be weightiness is as unconvincing as it is abrupt .", "shows some life onstage , but off is dull soap opera .", "a good script , sure direction , and a star turn by tatum may not be enough to make it ` the citizen kane of stripper movies ' but you do get is n't half bad .", "purest corn , `` MOV '' nonetheless has a human pulse and a sense of humor to go along with its willingness to entertain .", "MOV looks great , and soderbergh 's offhand approach to composition cuts through some of the clich\u00e9s .", "... they 've got something really charming and smart here , and it deserves to be one of soderbergh 's biggest hits in years .", "`` MOV '' starts as fun and grows steadily darker ; soderbergh and cast tell a realistic , vivid story .", "soderbergh walks the line and comes up with a film that is surprisingly fun and entertaining . `` MOV '' is the kind of chick flick that morphs well into a date flick .", "soderbergh colors freely in the margins and delivers a movie that 's a little darker and a little deeper than all the glittery thongs would suggest .", "for a movie about guys taking their clothes off , MOV is rather tame , and rather dull . magic it certainly ai n't .", "i think `` MOV '' is a fascinating film , one of -lsb- soderbergh 's -rsb- best in recent years .", "does a better job of mixing chippendales-style guilty pleasures with reality-based cautionary tales than you might expect .", "it 's hard to think of a movie in which steven soderbergh has loved his characters as much as he does in `` MOV . '' the affection is contagious .", "what 's probably most impressive about the work steven soderbergh does , directing from reid carolin 's script , is that it 's got the glitz and the heavy character study , without sacrificing either .", "despite the tawdry strip scenes , soderbergh has actually returned to his roots when he rocked the independent film scene with sex , lies and videotape .", "channing tatum makes great eye candy for the ladies but the plot of the movie is a downer .", "a traditional love story , combined with raunchy male stripping routines , makes for a strange combination , but it works .", "while -lrb- director soderbergh -rrb- does fine work with what he 's given , it ultimately amounts to little of substance . you may be able to pad a stripper 's pouch but not this film 's barely mediocre script .", "it 's not a major soderbergh project , on paper , but it transcends every possible expectation , and his wrangling of the cast is so impressive that just about everyone comes out smelling of roses . well , roses and baby oil .", "for all the titillation the stripping scenes may have for the film 's core audience , MOV also has a well-told story worth telling .", "less of a saturday night fever and more of a friday evening shrug .", "this is terrific entertainment with a sideline in wry melancholia and testosterone-fuelled philosophy .", "like any good strip tease , the film has a way of clouding your judgment . though it may not have you throwing dollar bills at the screen , it is likely to leave a smile on your face .", "MOV is an allegory and its appeal lies in part in its message . you do n't have to be a stripper to recognize what the filmmakers are saying .", "a perfectly solid film but you do n't walk away feeling like you 've gotten the entire story about what it 's like to be in this world .", "steven soderbergh 's funny , exhilarating , down-and-dirty celebration of a different breed of costumed superstud ...", "to say this is a movie about male strippers is to say boogie nights is a movie about porn . steven soderberg has delivered a mostly thoughtful , funny , beautifully edited story .", "`` MOV '' has much in common with previous soderbergh efforts in that it glides along at a terrifically entertaining pace .", "the closest thing to a crowdpleaser that -lsb- soderbergh -rsb- has put his name to in a great many years .", "a raunchy r-rated beefcake feast", "i know , you do n't just want to make the male stripping movie , but if you fill your story with banal clich\u00e9s , you might as well just make the stripping movie .", "i would n't say `` MOV '' has gravitas , but soderbergh gives it enough grit to keep it from turning into `` showgirls . ''", "` MOV ' might be an exploitation picture , sure , but in the way ` two-lane blacktop ' delights car enthusiasts or ` fat city ' is for boxing fans .", "there 's a lot more than banana hammocks and vigorous thrusting ...", "a magnificent hybrid of clever and comical that very few directors could pull off .", "MOV is raucous , often ludicrously indecent and quite likely to send home women home thinking they 've just had the cheapest hen night out in history .", "it finds its charm not so much in originality as in sly dialogue ; cinematography as slinky and energetic as its dance routines ; and two very effective lead turns .", "it represents a triumph of hollywood marketing , which has successfully presented it as the ultimate girls ' - night-out flick . but is it a triumph for the director ?", "boogie -lrb- nights -rrb- wonderland .", "tatum easily holds the screen whether 's he 's showing off those old hip hop moves or flustering female customers and loan officers . he 's a hustler with a heart .", "the cast are terrific . mcconaughey 's a law unto himself as the semi-crazed ringmaster and he gets his own show-stopping moment on stage .", "a mess of soderberghian devices so dense that it must surely be considered his definitive work .", "... meanders on and on and on with no place to go , or even pass through , interspersed with enough male pelvic thrusts to last several lifetimes .", "fans of beefcake wo n't be disappointed - but for everyone else , it 's expertly staged and absolutely hilarious", "soderbergh 's creative shot composition and off-kilter pacing elevate some of the story 's prosaic elements , but he does n't take enough narrative or stylistic chances .", "`` MOV '' is so much better than it needs to be that it 's sick .", "you can almost see director steven soderbergh at odds with himself , torn between making a mainstream film or a gritty indie , and ultimately doing neither .", "an entertaining workplace comedy with a dark -lrb- and well-oiled -rrb- underbelly and some predictable romance to leaven the raunch and swagger .", "even when MOV is skimpier than a g-string it soars on daring , as if soderbergh asked himself who could possibly make a good movie from such offbeat material , answered `` i can , '' and did .", "those were n't magic wands that those guys were holding , though many of the women at the screening i attended seemed inclined to disagree .", "if the final act of MOV does become more of a straightforward morality tale , it 's not without having established the particulars of the characters ' motives .", "what takes this out of the category of fluff is the way the story is unaffectedly located in the reality of the economic struggles of the area and our time .", "softer than expected but more involving than some may be anticipating , `` MOV '' squeaks by on its own low-key , sneakily perceptive accord .", "females rejoice ! your avengers is here !", "at the very least , it is exceptional and one of the best and most original pictures to come along in 2012 .", "what sets `` MOV '' apart is that the hotness is equaled - occasionally even surpassed - by the humor .", "this movie is so cheesy and beefy they ought to sell it at taco bell .", "a compelling character study not to be missed , if only to witness the gutsy , career performance delivered by the ever-improving channing tatum .", "if you 're expecting any frontal nudity , you 'd be disappointed . although there is a quick shocking moment of a fluffing device , it 's not like the frontal nudity in the last of the `` american pie '' movies , or other r-rated movies . it does n't go that far .", "... a near-miss , with a few good performances and enough power to hold your interest for a while before finally running out of steam .", "when the lights are up , you 've got both tatum and mcconaughey burning up the screen and an engaging love story that is well crafted thanks to a very talented director .", "it 's a well-handled , engaging , lightweight picture .", "like all soderbergh 's best films , from sex , lies , and videotape onwards , MOV is a kind of interactive text .", "director steven soderbergh lays bare this tragically empty existence populated by lost souls . and a lot of toned male torsos .", "when you realise how anodyne and banal the plot is becoming , it 's a disappointment - but the plot is hardly the point .", "but after a raunchy ad campaign will director steven soderbergh 's strip show prove to be an entertaining expose or a disappointing cover-up ?", "while watching `` MOV , '' which plunges into the false glamour of male strippers , you search in vain for a reason why you 're there .", "easily the best film ever made about male strippers .", "steven soderbergh 's guilty-pleasure for sexually frustrated housewives fails to accomplish its modest thematic aspirations .", "sexy fun", "it 's a good behind-the-scenes film that becomes a little ordinary in the end . loved matthew mcconaughey , though i 'm not convinced he knew the cameras were rolling .", "the first part of the film is raunchy fun , but MOV slowly degenerates into a simplistic cautionary fable .", "it 's guilty of some sleight-of-hand hokum , but in pulling the rug from under the norm , `` MOV '' turns a trick .", "... most interesting for channing tatum 's performance and the way director steven soderbergh emphasizes an overall air of economic desperation .", "while the ads are selling it as a romp -lrb- and crowds include girls ' night out groups -rrb- , the movie turns in some grim but too obvious directions .", "it 's as if soderbergh expects the film to mostly resolve itself , rounded out by the asses-in-the-seats appeal of the material , rote thematic underpinning , and ample charms of the cast .", "this is destined to be either embraced as `` real '' and `` authentic '' or condemned as lacking a certain erotic quality , especially in the man meat department .", "a movie in which the most nuanced performance is given by a body part has real problems .", "soderbergh brings a surprisingly light touch to a movie that boasts heart and affection for its characters .", "MOV may carry a big shtick , but it speaks softly in unexpected ways .", "soderbergh , tatum and mcconaughey strip this world of glitter and body oils . they let us know that for all the supposed fringe benefits , these guys work hard for the money ...", "it 's a nicely balanced blend of comedy , drama and athletic dancing that plies its trade with winking , unforced self-assurance ." ], "summary": "MOV 's sensitive direction , smart screenplay , and strong performances allow audiences to have their beefcake and eat it too .", "id": "771242005" }, { "movie": "1153341-breakfast_on_pluto", "reviews": [ "the writing , direction , music , and acting are all fantastic , but the film ends up being a little long and centers around a main character that 's a little hard to embrace .", "a technicolor 'd bird , flashed at the ridiculous capriciousness of life and sartre 's other people .", "depressingly predictable", "jordan and mccabe 's real triumph here , however , is the tenderness with which they imbues ` kitten , ' and the astonishing grace with which the extraordinary murphy pulls it off .", "as meals go , this breakfast is filling . in every way , jordan 's return to action is a triumph .", "the twittering main character quickly wears out his welcome .", "in -lsb- jordan 's -rsb- new film , MOV , he 's trying for a much more elaborate version of -lsb- the crying game -rsb- .", "the cast , camerawork and soundtrack are outta this world , but pluto 's orbit is too erratic to make this offbeat odyssey worth the journey .", "beneath the film 's monotony , one senses a whiff of cop-out , of playing it safe : patrick , for all his tender yearnings , shows no lust , no messy ego . he 's a saddened saint in pouffy shirts , and jordan turns his crying game into one big , long whine .", "the movie 's drastic shifts in tone sabotage any attempt at sustained emotional engagement .", "perhaps too audacious for some and too coy for others , MOV is one of those mercurial movies where you really have no idea where it 'll take you next . like its star , it 's smart , mischievous and fearless .", "-lsb- jordan -rsb- successfully grafts two irish literary modes , snappy social satire and gloomy dirge .", "MOV may seem a fairy tale at times -lrb- no pun intended -rrb- , but this kitten has claws .", "there 's a thin line between innocence and willful ignorance . MOV stomps all over it .", "MOV has its tongue lodged so firmly in its cheek that it nearly chokes on it .", "like kitten and everything else about MOV , it 's altogether too overstated and obvious , but at least it does n't pretend to have any significance whatsoever .", "whimsical to a fault .", "MOV , like its cross-dressing heroine , is appealing yet irritating , fun company at times but just as often a bore , occasionally quite touching yet frequently fey and self-indulgent .", "the result is immensely enjoyable from start to finish .", "too shy to reveal anything meaningful .", "while there are moments that are quite amusing , by the end of the movie you 're apt to be wondering why this was a story that needed to be told .", "... a colorful , poppy paean to a bitter time through the eyes of an incurable innocent .", "there 's so much good stuff in here you 'll wish it all fit together somehow .", "a charming , winsome slice of seventies pop kitsch .", "the movie tries to be upbeat and find humorous ways to look at some very serious subject matter , but the fairy tale quality gets literally blown away .", "the whimsy is so forced , a half-dozen mitzi gaynor references occur during the first 15 minutes .", "-lsb- t -rsb- his is one of those crying-on-the-inside comedies , and cillian murphy 's sublime performance as patrick is as touching as it is funny ...", "it does one of the best things a movie can do : it makes you feel good .", "if anyone 's qualified to make a movie about a transvestite who gets mixed up with the ira , it 's neil jordan .", "the film is downright aggravating .", "the film does not shy away from the chaos or the madness available , but you could see a love letter to ireland in kitten 's indomitable spirit . it 's a letter you 'll enjoy reading .", "-lsb- jordan -rsb- adds yet another uniquely beautiful soul to the list of otherwordly beings he has summoned to life .", "it 's a film in and of its own world , sparked by a wicked performance full of wide-eyed wonder .", "a cunningly crafted fairytale ...", "thanks to a feathery script and murphy 's sentimental , love-me performance , the bustling conceits of breakfast turn into a load of burnt toast , sprinkled with glitter and sugar .", "-lsb- a -rsb- playful , meandering , dreamily comic and yearning story about irish transvestite patrick ` kitten ' braden .", "the overall film lacks a sense of urgency , as if patrick had all the time in the world to get where he 's going .", "pure blarney , but it 's well-meaning blarney , told by a master cinematic storyteller and boasting an eye-catching lead performance .", "ultimately , the film 's detachment is its inspired idea and its inherent problem .", "enchanting and hopeful .", "held together by a brilliant fiber of obscure pop songs from the era , MOV may be jordan 's most agreeable mixture of wisdom and whimsy .", "... ambitious and endlessly intriguing ...", "it 's a champagne cocktail of a film , with a giddy performance by cillian murphy carbonating it from within .", "... despite the movie 's bouncy ebullience -lrb- courtesy of a terrific period soundtrack -rrb- and dashes of fantasy , the film quickly becomes an endurance test .", "if you 're in the mood for an edgy , raucous , music-driven gender-bender , rent hedwig and the angry inch instead .", "jordan is the kind of director you follow out of trust , even when his movies are n't perfect .", "-lsb- t -rsb- he performance by cillian murphy ... is terrific .", "like cillian murphy in high heels , MOV totters along with unnerving hesitancy .", "cillian murphy makes an uncomfortably beautiful woman in this rambling tale that never congeals .", "MOV ambles along nicely , but feels as if it 's never going to end .", "MOV is definitely one of the most unusual , compelling films i have seen in quite some time .", "it may not have the epic scope and complexity of forrest gump , but MOV a small gem .", "moderately entertaining fare .", "roaring with real life , MOV belongs in that treasured subgenre , the gender bending memoir ... cillian murphy gives a career high performance as kitten , so silky , so tough , so completely real that it haunts us .", "this is a long film that audiences will either love or dismiss .", "another cross-dressing flick from jordan , but this time with a wry sense of humour and whimsy , coupled with a fine soundtrack of uk bubblegum 70s tunes .", "murphy 's turn as the irrepressible kitten is simply mesmerising - outrageous , tender and full of the sort of deep pain that no amount of make-up can conceal .", "`` kitten '' is one of the most admirable characters ever depicted on-screen .", "celebratory subversion", "rambling romance about a man truely in love with himself . cilian murphy has great talent , but not in this loser directed by neil jordan . my advice to murphy ... speak up and stop mumbling .", "murphy has played two deliciously perverse villains this year , and it 's a measure of how amazing he is as kitten that i never once thought of those earlier antagonists .", "this is not for everyone , jordan 's stuff never is , but if you 're into good acting it 's worth a look .", "it 's as coy and callow as you 'd expect from a movie with a lead character nicknamed kitten .", "so horribly misconceived and shoddily structured that its good intentions are worn out in the first twenty minutes", "kitten -lsb- murphy -rsb- is like the bouncing ball following a singalong ... without adding any interpretation of her own .", "an honrobale failure , MOV is a tweener , neither epic nor intimate enough , neither campy nor earnest . though dense in ideas and images , the film is too sprawling , lacking a discernible pov .", "the problem is that the coy kitten never really develops as a character and , as the film unfolds , your interest in him wanes .", "the very characteristics that keep him alive and kicking are the ones that keep you at arm 's length . no surprise , then , that even the satisfying and semi-satisfying conclusions to various narrative threads do n't quite satisfy .", "pluto 's story is scattershot , though it occasionally resonates .", "i could n't help but feel that i 've already seen this character , and always portrayed in this similar manner -- fey , fanciful , indefatigable .", "effortlessly nailing coquettish mannerisms and employing a hilarious come-hither vocal quality , murphy is magnetizing , fascinating , and eminently likeable .", "if an eventful life journey does n't produce maturity or just simple insight , it does n't feel terribly worth it .", "jordan 's film may seem like the tale of a gay gump bumbling through history , but kitten is neither as clueless nor as apolitical as he may seem .", "sliding back and forth between comedy and tragedy is the film 's strongest suit", "an endearing portrait of a transvestite whose playful ease in the face of one harrowing experience after another makes him into what the taoist sages call `` a disciple of life ''", "initially off-putting in mannerism , cillian murphy 's ` kitten ' ropes the viewer in for the long , arduous haul .", "despite its sometimes-delectable whimsy , MOV ... winds up being only moderately satisfying .", "an entertaining story of an eccentric young man", "sprawling , ambitious but ultimately tiresome .", "episodic and uneven , the movie is a must-see with its tour-de-force performance by cillian murphy .", "neil jordan gives us another gender bending gem that plays something like velvet goldmine with guns and explosions .", "playful , poetic , shocking , saddening , and ultimately gratifyingly and honestly big-hearted .", "jordan takes his fey protagonist the most seriously of all , picturing him as just about the most perfect and true creature in the universe .", "it seems like a simple movie , but it means more the more you think about it .", "we 're handed 36 separate chapters in the life of an androgynous sunbeam , but the whimsy is like a piece of caramel lodged between two of your back teeth : a sweet irritant .", "by the time the movie finally creaks to a close , you may feel like it 's taken a lifetime to learn about kitten 's .", "an ungodly mess of a picture which plays like a frankenstein-ish cross between an irish forrest gump and a less cohesive version of the already inaccessible velvet goldmine .", "you 'll be singing along to the soundtrack of neil jordan 's enchanting MOV , which boasts the most felicitous use of wall-to-wall pop songs i 've ever heard .", "a fizzy tonic amidst stiller holiday fare .", "flitting through 22 chapters in the first hour alone , it feels like someone trying to speed-read through a bad novel the size of war & peace .", "an odd , at times off-putting mixture of camp inflection and earnest insight .", "while the sunny production values and '70s bubblegum soundtrack carry the film up to a point , there 's a more-of-the-same quality to the narrative that simply ca n't sustain its 36-chapter , 135-minute running time .", "enjoyable drama that 's both darkly funny and emotionally engaging .", "it could have easily been 15 minutes shorter . but you can understand why jordan wanted to spend so much time with such a singular hero -lrb- heroine ? -rrb- as patrick .", "an offbeat fairytale populated by colorful characters and spot-on performances .", "neil jordan 's MOV bursts onto the screen ablaze with more color , more ideas , more nerve , more invention and more heart than just about anything imaginable .", "murphy models his frocks comfortably enough , but '' ` pluto '' is draggy in other , disappointing ways .", "it 's awfully hard to take the material seriously , even though the plotting seems to demand it .", "jordan plays the crying game again for this darly affecting epic .", "an amusing little romp , with all the substance of cotton candy .", "MOV 's novelistic feel can seem disjointed , but ultimately the structure frees the film to flit from one interesting encounter to another with a minimum of connecting material .", "as played by murphy in what is an excellent performance , kitten is sort of like a transvestite superhero -- able to overcome impossible situations and look fabulous while doing it .", "murphy is an actor to watch . even in heels .", "neil jordan 's gender-bending again in this picaresque tale of a small-town irish lad who becomes a transvestite , played by cillian murphy , whose versatility is astonishing !", "so dense with dying fizzle and limp ideas that i began to wonder if jordan has an evil twin , or if there are in fact several neil jordans , among them at least one literate stylist and one humor-handicapped village idiot .", "neil jordan 's picaresque fairy tale stars cillian murphy as an irish transvestite who is arrested after the bombing of a london disco .", "it 's indulgent , and more than once it 's patently unbelievable , but jordan knows how to make a movie , and it 's often lovely to look at .", "watching cillian murphy in drag takes some patience and tolerance but it 's actually quite a touching story", "murphy 's tour de force as the eternally optimistic patrick surely deserves an oscar nomination . thanks to jordan 's bravura storytelling , MOV is one of very few movies this year truly worth remembering .", "MOV dishes out some inspired ideas and brazen performances but as a whole , it 's an unwieldy meal .", "starts out difficult to like but pays off with hard-won sympathy for a showboating hero/heroine .", "a lilting fairy tale told with feverish brilliance ." ], "summary": "well-acted if monotonous drama about a transvestite prostitute in london during the 1970s .", "id": "9270" }, { "movie": "steep", "reviews": [ "the movie takes us to the most dangerous peaks of the french alps and to the breath-taking slopes of southeastern alaska that are accessible only by helicopter .", "i wish the filmmakers had gone a bit more into the psychology of what drives these men ...", "with more white powder than even al pacino 's nose housed in ` scarface ' , MOV pushes human endurance and achievement to the limit with indescribable eye-popping crazy feats of big mountain glory .", "i 'm not a skier . my balance is bad , and that stuff scares me . so more power to those who are - this flick 's for you . and probably not anyone else .", "in the end , MOV plays like a tv infomercial -- and who wants to hand over $ 11 to watch one ?", "so many shots of one person skiing down impossibly MOV slopes that the film becomes mundane . the shots of snowy peaks are pretty , but they get pretty old after 92 minutes .", "adrenaline junkies and armchair sports enthusiasts should enjoy this informative history of extreme skiing .", "a second-rate documentary for extreme ski fans only .", "if you like your skiing extreme but your documentaries safe , then carve a sharp turn over to MOV .", "MOV is a visually exhilarating sports documentary that is also more than a little exasperating .", "the sport and its stunts have evolved , captured beautifully and thrillingly here by director mark obenhaus and cinematographer erich roland .", "less a documentary than a sales pitch .", "you can choose to risk a heart attack watching these skiers take off on 55-degree mountain passes or breaking your neck trying imitating them yourself . thrilling sport . great photography .", "MOV provides a skin-deep history lesson on extreme skiing .", "for a portrait of a sport that 's all about breaking the rules , the approach is far too reverent .", "MOV is an undeniably impressive visual spectacle that follows the sport of extreme skiing .", "it takes a remarkable anti-ability to grab hold of a subject as visual and dramatic as big-mountain skiing and turn it into a dull night at the lodge .", "enthusiasts and neophytes alike should be able to join together in gasping at the sight of people plunging down vertical walls of ice , taking their lives into their own hands for a brief , lion-lifed adrenaline charge .", "unquestionably one of the most amazing films dealing with man 's battle against nature since kevin macdonald 's touching the void", "an avalanche-in-progress aside , there 's no hook for the audience , who would probably have more fun getting drunk in the lodge .", "-lsb- a -rsb- gorgeous documentary .", "helicopters take us astonishingly close to the skiers as they climb up dizzying peaks , then race down 90-degree cliffs and sometimes jump off precipices with parachutes to bring them back to earth .", "sometimes it takes escaping death to feel alive -- especially if we have survived a cancer scare , a road accident or some other potentially fatal encounter . but MOV is about those who actively seek that dance with danger .", "the tediousness becomes a little too palpable and the film 's first half is frankly dull , despite some fine acting from depardieu and balibar .", "as enchanting as all this alpine footage can be , as a movie , MOV is flat .", "it 's nearly impossible to walk away without a new motivation to find what can make you feel the way these characters do .", "obenhaus 's movie certainly contains a lot of spectacular photography .", "MOV is one of those rare endeavors able to touch on the human condition without neglecting the film 's true star : big-mountain skiing .", "MOV is a throwback to the early days of movies when the sight of things in motion was a thrill in itself . seeing leaves rustling in the wind or waves on the sea was a marvel .", "leaves us with images that are n't easily forgotten and a grudging respect for people who blaze new trails in search of a thrill .", "in the end , you will believe the film 's talking heads , but , more than likely , what they say may still make little logical sense to you .", "even though the pull of the mountain remains a mystery , we do gain some understanding of the humanity that fuels the hair-raising risks captured so eloquently on film .", "a tedious movie about excitement .", "there 's awe-inspiringly beautiful footage in MOV and awe-inspiringly stupid talk .", "if you 're a fan of ` extreme skiing ' -lrb- ie . hurling yourself down terrifyingly MOV terrain with sticks on your feet -rrb- , this film is your holy grail .", "amazing imagery of remarkable achievements and a chronicle of the sport but one that could have dug a little deeper into the psychology of the extreme skiers .", "remarkably , given the extraordinary descents captured on film and despite the less than subtle stirring score , the film is ultimately lacking in any real excitement .", "it gets a little wearing , hanging out with these lions , but there 's no denying the beauty of the landscape , with its fluttering avalanches , plumes of powder and vertiginous , zigzagging descents .", "in this handsomely shot documentary about extreme skiing , thrill-seeking devotees boast of their exploits , but shed no light on what drives them to risk their lives .", "catch this on an imax screen if you 're interested , but for a great movie about mountain-based triumphs of the human spirit check out the inspirational blindsight instead .", "MOV is more promo-reel than documentary .", "while it desperately wants to crossover to a mainstream audience , it is what it is : a movie for skiers ." ], "summary": "MOV is a mixed bag of breathtaking mountain footage and yawn-inducing banter .", "id": "770681086" }, { "movie": "blade_trinity", "reviews": [ "this visually flat , dramatically incoherent film puts a stake through the heart of the series .", "a pale shadow to the much superior first two films .", "goyer destr\u00f3i a s\u00e9rie blade n\u0103o apenas com sua falta de talento como diretor , mas tamb\u00e9m gra\u00e7as ao seu p\u00e9ssimo roteiro .", "reynolds , biel , posey , and lyonne amble around a warehouse trying to out-snark one another -- call it blade : the real world .", "oh , how the mighty half-vampire has fallen .", "the least of three .", "i was really hoping that despite all the bad buzz on this thing i might buck the trend and actually like it , but , as alex trebek might say : `` sorry ... . no '' .", "blade : trinity does n't have the needed fangs to cling onto anything remotely interesting in this seedless third edition of the badass bloodsucker .", "it looks like they did n't even try .", "if you are n't a fan , it wo n't convert you .", "this messy action-horror film is by far the most unpleasant , most unwatchable movie in what 's already been a pretty sketchy trilogy .", "brings this three-part tale of a vampire hunter -lrb- wesley snipes -rrb- to a close with more of a shrug than a shriek .", "plays more like a collection of wild embellishments than a deeply satisfying movie .", "snipes is now the least interesting thing on the screen and appears to have zero connection to the smells-like-teen-spirit irony which this final chapter is trying to tap .", "with his chiselled face and geometric haircut , black leather jacket and stiff posture , snipes shows an expressive range slightly greater than an obsidian column .", "three vampire hunters are just as good as one , and with some stylized , guns-a-blazin ' kung-fu action , blade : trinity is just as solid -- and as much fun -- as the first two movies .", "it 's a 100-mph , 100-minute seizure-inducing music video loaded with leather , guns and goth delights .", "a campy , vampy romp , with caustic sarcasm from ryan reynolds and former art-house princess parker posey making it all hum along .", "it 's a typical vehicle for comic-book corn with elaborate plot contrivances , assaultive explosions , stereotypical characters and a laughable sense of gravitas .", "goyer remixes blade with less effects , more humor and new characters to achieve one hell of an entertaining ride .", "goyer was simply the wrong man to set loose in this world , for now the once promising blade franchise has been crippled by his unfortunate tinkering .", "not a comedy , but its funny parts are more memorable than its action-horror parts , which are competent but unremarkable .", "it 's not even worth a matinee .", "-lsb- a -rsb- series that has yielded diminishing returns since stephen norrington 's 1998 adaptation .", "it 's a witless sequel at a time when this series should have upped the stakes .", "after three installments this blade is getting rusty .", "i hope this is the end , that it 's three and out for the blade franchise .", "a choppy m\u00e9lange of straight-to-video editing and a surfeit of disintegration effects .", "a healthy portion of yecky-poo poo .", "ryan reynolds ' endless tone-lowering , blade-baiting quips temporarily distract viewers from the script 's more pressing problems .", "he 's big , he 's bad , and he bites back . wesley snipe 's `` blade : trinity '' is campy good fun .", "it does have a few laughs , but it 's time to end the franchise when the best thing about the movie is ryan reynolds ' abs .", "an unnecessary third installment of an action-movie franchise running on fumes .", "even parker posey 's turn as a campy vampiress feels phoned in , as if she is making bank in order to stomach the deferred or minimal pay of her next ten indie pet projects .", "blade : trinity is blunt-witted , visually pedestrian , and overly long .", "three exploding vampires are kind of invigorating . yet 30 ? not so interesting .", "the weapon to kill the vampires makes no sense ... it 's okay to have a stupid plan . it 's okay to have an illogical plan . but it ca n't be both .", "this script is embarrassingly sloppy .", "it lacks the sharp narrative line and crisp comic-book clarity of the earlier films , and descends too easily into shapeless fight scenes that are chopped into so many cuts that they lack all form or rhythm .", "one of the prime laws of the multiplex states that any action or horror movie series will devolve into ritualized violence , self-mocking camp , and egregious silliness by part three . blade : trinity is right on schedule .", "blade : trinity is n't awful if you 've followed the series , although one ca n't help but feel that three entries is enough .", "sometimes bloody , sometimes bloody awful .", "i ca n't imagine any reason why this once moderately enjoyable franchise should continue .", "it 's ironic blade : trinity has triple h in its cast because the film itself is entertaining in the same cheesy , trashy way of a good wrestling grudge match .", "stuff blows up and glass shatters when blade is in the room . he 's like shaft with worst theme music .", "i 'll give blade : trinity the benefit of the doubt and assume the movie is meant to be high camp of the lowest order .", "this is a popcorn movie and as such it succeeds famously .", "well , blade held up beautifully twice . but now the story is turning , well , bloodless .", "feels like a quickie film thrown together in the vain -lrb- vein ? -rrb- attempt to resurrect an ailing franchise", "while this third entry is the best in the series , it 's still a long way off from being the clever thrill ride it thinks it is .", "blade : trinity is by far the worst of the blade movies , but for diehard fans of the comic book , it still may hold some excitement .", "almost as entertaining on purpose as it is by accident , blade 3 is equal parts kinetic mayhem and bloody burlesque . but it moves real quick and it sure is n't boring .", "if blade himself ca n't carry a movie with his own name on it , then perhaps the time has come to hang up the stakes for good .", "blade : trinity gives us front row seats to watch the end of wesley 's career and the career of parker `` former indie queen '' posey .", "lacks anything resembling an original , absorbing tale .", "the third installment of the blade series is a choppy , forgetful , suspense-free romp that substitutes campy humor for chills .", "let 's face it : the blade movies have always been better than they should 've been ...", "instead of building on its predecessors , blade : trinity feels cheap , compromised , and plumb tuckered out .", "it 's not original , but it does what it does well , and it 's a lot better than underworld .", "blade : trinity is a carbon copy of its predecessors . it 's all kick-ass attitude and style without any substance to back it up .", "most writers think you should choose one plot and stick to it . but goyer decided that instead of going with just one plot possibility , he could go with several .", "it 's sad to see wesley snipes standing around on the sidelines while his franchise is hijacked by a bunch of obnoxious , wisecracking white kids .", "aside from the effectively staged action sequences trinity is cheap-looking and laughably inept .", "blade does n't need backup , and in blade ii when he had it , he was happy to feed his backup to the bad guys whenever it suited him .", "from his director 's chair , goyer gives the film an adult stylishness that borders on the genuinely artistic .", "-lsb- goyer -rsb- achieves an equitable balance between grim gore and sneaky humor .", "it 's silly , violent fun , sometimes mindlessly entertaining but hardly , if ever , engaging .", "goyer makes a strong series debut as a visual stylist , though he 's handicapped by his own , at times , bloodless script .", "it 's a ` ten-minute movie . ' watching any ten minutes is more than enough .", "... filled with characters straight out of central casting .", "if the patriarch of all vampires just ai n't that tough , it 's time to pack it in . in fact , it was time to pack it in before we were subjected to this movie .", "david s. goyer scrapped what made the first two blade films so much fun and replaced it with a cast and soundtrack that only a 14-year-old mall-rat could love .", "blade : trinity wo n't linger in the memory long , but gives pretty good action eye-candy while it 's going .", "one dull ` blade ' ... even for a vampire series , this one is getting very long in the tooth .", "goyer 's direction is all surfaces and no substance", "damn good fun ...", "what you might expect from a teenager : a quick-paced arcade game set to an obnoxiously loud , mind-numbing metal , hip-hop , and techno score", "one ca n't fault wesley snipes for dragging his aging body for a third installment of the financially successful `` blade '' series ... **", "only for blade fans .", "goyer also wrote all three blade films , so character misunderstandings ca n't be blamed for the two half-realized plot lines crammed into one feature .", "if you 're willing to put your brain in neutral and keep your expectations relatively low for this third trip to the well , blade : trinity ulimately delivers the goods", "in film number three , blade has grown a little dull . -lrb- could n't resist -rrb- .", "rookie director david s. goyer has driven a wooden stake into the heart of this bloodsucker franchise .", "here 's a tip for the next bad-guy vampire who captures blade , marvel comics ' fearless vampire hunter : just kill him . do n't toy with him . do n't taunt him with your perceived superiority . just kill him and get on with your plans to take over the world .", "goyer ... who wrote the previous installments , displays a keen eye for casting in his directing debut .", "a sad way to end the series -- not with a bang , but with a simper .", "the movie is present , sexy and fun , but it 's probably time to give this franchise - and snipes ' permanent scowl - a rest .", "blade : trinity does nothing more ambitious than continue a sputtering franchise .", "we 're treated to re-heated leftovers and scraps which offer fleeting moments of sustenance .", "goyer 's film is an entertaining though a hit and miss addition to the franchise .", "are the white movie geeks who make these sci-fi/horror flicks reassuring the white audience by robbing powerful black men of any personality ?", "the only one who seems to be having much fun , though , is parker posey , camping it up as one of the vampires .", "the film adds nothing much that 's new to the annals of creative killing in movies . just run of the mill mass carnage dressed up to project sexiness and swagger .", "chances are that goyer 's cack-handed direction has killed a franchise he helped birth .", "this has all the appeal of reheated , congealed blood .", "out with the old and in with the new .", "snipes reprises the lead role and is even stiffer and more robotic that he was in the earlier films .", "wesley snipes 's vampire hunter franchise finishes off not with a bang but a whimper .", "goyer flounders around like an indecisive movie buff indulging in every special effects-laden trick in the directing 101 handbook .", "parker posey , in a series of increasingly scary hair-dos , -lsb- gives -rsb- a stumbling , zoned-out performance that could easily be interpreted as a cry for help .", "should reasonably please fans of the genre before assuming its place in the horror section of your local video store .", "harmless but shallow , cinematic junk food that goes down with ease but has no nutritional value and will be forgotten about almost immediately after devouring it .", "badly plotted sequel that sidelines snipes but remains watchable thanks to serviceable action sequences , some witty dialogue and the performances of reynolds and posey .", "save for ryan reynolds ' sorely needed wit , the movie is filled with wasted opportunities that befpre would have provided memorable character moments or lusciously nasty bits .", "even if -lrb- wesley -rrb- snipes zombie-walks through his part , how can you hate a horror-action flick that lets the vampire dogs out ?", "lots of fairly cool special effects and a good deal of quips and catchphrases .", "its biggest problem is that blade himself takes a back seat to a host of new and mostly uninteresting characters .", "an unapologetically flashy , bloody , fast-paced horror/action flick that 's pretty entertaining .", "a character looks directly into the camera and gives the audience the middle finger . that seems a tad bit stand-offish , would n't you say ?", "blade : trinity needs to be consigned to dvd - as quickly as possible .", "fans of mindless action and good one-liners will enjoy blade : trinity ; but anyone who was a fan of the first two films and expected more development of blade or a grand finale to his story will be disappointed .", "if ever there was a case for quitting while you 're behind , this blade is it -- ready to be buried in a vat of garlic .", "the third blade pursues familiar themes , having to do with vampirism as a virus , visited upon a hapless human population via malevolent , aggressive , very grumpy carriers .", "while the first two movies were efficient if not highbrow entertainment , the latest film abandons even the pretense of having a story .", "vampire stories are meant to be frightening . they 're meant to keep us awake at night , trembling with fear at an oversexed man with overlong canines . after blade : trinity , it 's time to put the gothic back in goth .", "blade : trinity begins with the vamps digging up the long-dormant dracula , who is apparently a slovakian runway model enamored of bare-chested couture .", "there 's nothing beneath the flashy editing and self-consciously cool production design but a soulless adrenaline machine that 's never scary and rarely engrossing .", "the suck principle is making up for lost time . it 's almost bad enough to implicate its predecessors .", "the brow may be low , but it 's perfectly manicured : grade a production values abound , as does superior kung fu choreography .", "the third time out for the vampire-hunting superhero is no charm .", "our obsession with style over substance is becoming pathological . when are we going to get sick of this stuff ?", "there 's just enough comforting familiarity mixed with refreshing new characters to hold the casserole of a plot together .", "is this an mtv promo for the movie , or a kick-butt video game based on the movie ?", "no one 's lifeblood is at stake , but the movie 's pitiful victims will find themselves out the price of a movie ticket and nearly two hours of their lives that they will never get back . and let 's not forget the price of popcorn and parking .", "trinity is a return to the cheesy spirit of the original .", "it 's all about the gags and the gadgets and the body count , with shootings , impalings and explosions vaporizing every vamp in sight .", "conseil personnel , allez donc revoir le premier volet .", "blade : trinity may indeed be the last film of this series , but it 's doubtful that anyone will be complaining that much after seeing it for themselves .", "one of the worst films ever made .", "the only surprise for me was that is was n't as bad as i expected it to be .", "primary aesthetic aim seems to be outdoing the music-video-inspired visual excesses of the previous films", "okay , i did n't say the plot was great . it 's kinda like cough medicine . if you just deal with the fact you have to swallow it , it ai n't bad .", "some of the lines are brilliantly campy , and that provides a fun action film .", "snipes has perfected a certain brooding presence , but he 's also reduced his blade character to a handful of poses and guttural one-liners .", "without stinting on the expected action and horror ... what you 're likely to remember are the laughs .", "a worthy end to the series .", "a move that reeks of market manipulation , a couple of young sidekicks are introduced in a lame attempt to stire the usual formual into something new .", "the surface , the film is stylish without losing its focus , and the gadgets , the settings and the characters all jump to life -lrb- as it were -rrb- in the cool domain of the extreme scenario .", "a great closer to a great franchise ...", "to me MOV deftly dances at the edge of `` so bad it 's good '' territory , staying just on the side of being good .", "for series fans only . definitely not for kids !", "the weakest of the trilogy .", "i 'm a great fan of blade , the marvel comics vampire hunter played by wesley snipes ... but a third episode , blade : trinity , directed by david s. goyer , is a blood fest too far .", "a trainwreck set to a booming soundtrack , turning vampire hunting into a screen chore while it almost intentionally torches the macabre groundwork laid down by the first two features .", "for a film whose story line turns on a miraculous feat of reanimation , this is a very lifeless effort .", "an action-packed mess from its lackluster , two-pronged opening segments to its final showdown .", "not as grand as the first two , but still entertaining", "from what we can tell from the blade series , vampires are as easy to kill as ducks and there 's no limit on them .", "` blade : trinity ' is a joyless and unimaginative movie with lots of broken glass and strobe lights to mask the lack of exciting action .", "by and large , the jokes fall flat , and the entire film often seems as fatigued as its star .", "blade : trinity is the kind of big , dumb movie that at least knows it 's a big , dumb movie and winks at the audience accordingly .", "diverting but dumb and more goth than gothic , blade : trinity builds up to a less-than-epochal smackdown .", "if the screenplay had been half as visionary as the casting , we might have been dealing with some sort of classic .", "lots of posing , scowling , quipping , leather-modeling and slow-mo cool-walkin ' .", "david goyer steps up to the directorial plate this time , and while his hack-rate dialogue is better than usual , his direction is nothing special .", "trinity plays like little more than a second-rate tv pilot .", "lacks anything vaguely resembling a plot , while failing to deliver suspense or thrills .", "trinity is a lighter shade of blade , delivering brisk action and cutting comedy in equal measure .", "it all suggests a cinematic identity crisis .", "watching blade : trinity is like being rolled down a marble staircase in an oil drum . the movie is loud , dark , bumpy and not even a little fun .", "as commanding as snipes is , blade : trinity is not as involving as its predecessors , and goyer seems increasingly to be primarily writing variations on the original .", "posey continues to find work , and even in a movie as beneath her as this one is , she 's always fully engaged . the rest of blade : trinity is content to coast .", "reynolds is particularly hilarious as the new sidekick who thinks blade is taking everything a little too seriously , even if the vampires are trying to turn humankind into their personal blood banks .", "MOV seems a smidgen too jazzed by its extravagant cruelty ." ], "summary": "louder , campier , and more incoherent than its predecessors , blade : trinity seems content to emphasize style over substance and rehash familiar themes .", "id": "17000" }, { "movie": "me_you_them", "reviews": [ "the film never becomes charming enough to elicit more than an occasional smile .", "with waddington 's help , all of the people involved give us a gently insinuating folk tale .", "well-acted but underwhelming .", "its plot loses momentum about halfway through and gets stuck in its own precious rut .", "for the culturally uninitiated -lrb- us -rrb- , it 's a judgmental struggle regarding this brazilian lolita and her unorthodox cabaret .", "thanks to a superb cast headed by the popular brazilian actress regina cas\u00e9 , this unorthodox tale is ultimately believable .", "works because the story is sympathetic to the feelings of the characters , observes them as individuals .", "manages to find the magic through its documentary style , and manages to find the erotic in the commonplace .", "an adroit , beautifully acted , sophisticated film .", "satisfying from start to finish .", "it never effervesces into anything deeply funny .", "cas\u00e9 , with her sturdy , elemental body and shining eyes , is the reason phrases like ` inner beauty ' were invented .", "a peculiar masculine fantasy .", "no great shakes at domestic comedy .", "under the lens of brazilian director andrucha waddington , love with multiple partners becomes a dreamy kaleidoscope of passion and possibilities .", "waddington provides us with a valuable view into the lives of the ` real people ' of the large coffee-producing country .", "a sophisticated tale told with deceptive simplicity .", "the performances are enhanced by first-rate cinematography , which effectively captures the hot dusty plains of brazil and the hot lusty plans of case .", "if people in the movies are going to live in dirty shacks without plumbing or senses of humor , they better do something compelling to hold my interest .", "it has been made and acted with intelligence and evident love , which deserves to be requited .", "excellent performances , combined with deft direction make this one to watch .", "the performances are charming and natural enough to draw you into this peculiar love quadrangle .", "al\u0436m da bela fotografia de breno silveira e da soberba trilha sonora de gilberto gil , ` eu , tu , eles ' ainda traz atua\u0443\u0448es realmente inesquec\u044cveis de todo o elenco .", "one might argue that `` MOV '' could perhaps use a small infusion of mtv-style editing but this director trusts the material to unfold at the pace it requires .", "as filmmakers continue to run out of ` original ' stories to tell , it 's becoming abundantly clear that there 's a simple solution to the problem -- tell more ` real ' or ` true ' stories .", "-lsb- case 's -rsb- dazzling smile and surprising physical grace make darlene into a primal force in the lives of these three men .", "warm and bright and colorful , a real charmer as easy to inhabit as cas\u0436 slips into her character .", "credit director andrucha waddington and writer elena soarez for keeping it out of the sex-farce genre .", "where andrucha waddington 's film excels is in its ability to immerse us in the culture and environment of a remote land .", "a neat combination of healthy sensuality , psychological subtlety and an unapologetic grasp of how the world turns .", "irresistible because it goes against expectation .", "it 's a credit to the cast that they are able to juggle these complicated characters and their relationships without slipping into pathos .", "the whole film feels timidly improvised , and director andrucha waddington paces it at a numb , leaden crawl .", "it develops its own unique charm .", "a quiet film , certainly , but it 's filled with small touches that manage to get deeply under your skin by the time the final credits roll .", "a much more authentic and accomplished film than , say , last year 's pseudo-latino ` import , ' woman on top .", "a relaxed and entertaining drama that revolves around the nurturing qualities of the ultimate earth mother .", "what 's unusual is the almost achingly beautiful photography by breno silveira .", "it 's a weird , inviting slice of portuguese peasant life .", "darlene is probably meant to be a symbol for sexual empowerment , but this sparse film never gives her an opportunity to roar .", "the big screen has n't shown us a more earthy , commanding woman since italy 's iconic anna magnani made her stand .", "full of long stretches with no dialogue , giving the film a very high nod-off factor .", "waddington 's wonderfully textured film is an unforced work of naturalism .", "so generally downbeat that it 's difficult to stay awake , let alone laugh , cry , or cheer .", "-lsb- a -rsb- little gem of a movie .", "the art-house equivalent of fast food .", "like the hardscrabble lives of this isolated wasteland , it 's equal parts unforgiving white-heat aridity and golden late-afternoon glow ." ], "summary": "MOV tells a warmly comical and touching story , and features a charismatically earthy performance by cas\u0436 .", "id": "12469" }, { "movie": "mr_woodcock", "reviews": [ "has the mark of something dashed off after reading what dozens of screenwriting manuals had to say about the marketplace and the three-act paradigm , but not one word about characterization or dramatic unity .", "a close reading of mr. woodcock reveals a dark , depressing film about small town decline . i think .", "the whole film is like a depressing nightmare .", "apparently , billy bob thornton has embraced the idea of appealing to the lowest possible common denominator . how else can you explain his presence in another bad taste bottom-feeder which might have been better titled bad gym teacher , ala bad santa ?", "we 're stuck with amy poehler telling us she 's an alcoholic and an unaware susan sarandon watching two men act like idiots , which unfortunately is n't funny at all .", "... a tedious and hackneyed effort that surely -lrb- and hopefully -rrb- marks billy bob thornton 's final appearance as a comedically misanthropic curmudgeon ...", "MOV is ok as far as predictable , low-brow hollywood comedies are concerned , and it 's considerably elevated by its above average cast .", "o longa n\u0103o apenas acaba se revelando terrivelmente sem gra\u00e7a como tamb\u00e9m assusta por sua moral torta , condizente com a do personagem-t\u00edtulo .", "one ca n't help but wonder what the coens or farrellys might have done with this cast and premise .", "a terrible , sophomoric joke of a title , which is sadly reflective of the rest of the equally unfunny proceedings .", "just from eyeing the mr. woodcock movie poster , you could suspect exactly what the movie will be . just 90 minutes later , your suspicions would be confirmed .", "a contender for least funny comedy of the year .", "the playful dialog provides the best laughter , while the big set pieces feel strangely muted", "... scott 's character may not be the only one who failed to get beyond eighth grade ...", "a dreary and depressing alleged comedy that takes a talented cast and a promising germ of an idea , and kills it dead .", "the laughs never stop only because they never start . in fact , i ca n't remember the last time i laughed so little .", "-lsb- sarandon is -rsb- somehow the only star who does n't end up looking like an overpaid idiot working miles beneath her abilities . and that 's a pretty cutting thing to say when you figure in scott 's standard fratboy follies .", "all mr. woodcock gives us is mediocre comedy at its finest .", "even the lamest comedies out there manage to wring one or two chuckles from yours truly , but this ugly , obnoxious flick could n't even manage half a smirk .", "billy bob thornton is just as mean as a gym coach as he is as santa claus .", "it looks like billy bob thornton has gotten to this lucrative w.c. fields place in his career where he fills his coffers by playing endless variations on the same character .", "mr. woodcock . funny , right ? mr. woodcock , mr. woodcock , mr. woodcock . gets funnier every time , does n't it ?", "mr. woodcock is often as juvenile and predictable as its title suggests . yet , this dark comedy about a self-help author plotting revenge on his sadistic former gym coach gets honest laughs because of performances that ring universally true .", "thornton 's straight-faced growl is consistently funny throughout this mild but effective comedy .", "certainly , it 's mediocre , but no more so than half the comedies that are wildly promoted by their studios these days .", "this film apparently sat around for a few years before being released . it 's unlikely to make waves now , but thornton and scott do set off a few entertaining ripples .", "finally even thornton finds his inner softie , at which point the film , after some ok gags , dies with a mechanical squish .", "it 's a two-minute trailer unsuccessfully stretched into an 87-minute feature film .", "you can guess how it all ends , but getting there is a repetitious parade of put-downs and smackdowns that suggest you ca n't go home again .", "the film 's poster showing woodcock holding two strategically placed basketballs is funnier than anything in the actual movie !", "as disjointed as you 'd expect from a film that was reworked extensively by a second director .", "between mr. thornton 's wry performance and tami reiker 's nuanced wide-screen photography , you half-expect woodcock to deliver more than formulaic laughs .", "this may be the most laugh-free comedy of the year .", "even though it was stuck in development for a while , it deserved another lap around the screenwriting gym .", "it 's as if the -lrb- supposedly -rrb- innate hilariousness of the title justified pretty much any and all `` creative '' decisions , and once the actors were cast everyone hoped that the film would figure itself out . they were wrong .", "if mr. woodcock himself were to assess this movie , he 'd say , ` this movie is a disgrace to all goopy , gelatinous , half-baked movies the world over . '", "if i could , i 'd make this clunker drop and give me twenty push-ups for screwing a great idea up this badly .", "generically silly-coated and pointless , -lsb- this -rsb- `` gym teacher from hell '' frivolity has all the freshness of stale athletic socks tucked away in a pimple-faced boy 's locker .", "while two novice screenwriters are officially credited with the script , the movie lurches around like something assembled by committee .", "this movie makes a much better case study for aspiring entertainment executives than it does a cinematic experience . what it most emphatically is not is a date movie .", "the finished product feels like the unloved child of a bad marriage where the only thing anyone remembers is the sharp edges .", "did n't thornton go through many of these same tropes in that similar mediocrity school for scoundrels ?", "to laugh at parts of this film would indicate one has a streak of woodcockism in oneself . but to gaze in stupefied fascination is perfectly understandable .", "under craig gillespie 's uninspired direction , the humor eventually settles into stale , familiar pratfalls .", "a test of the audience 's patience and of sarandon 's ability to maintain her dignity .", "thornton never cracks a smile ... his gloom is infectious .", "if this film were one of his students , mr. woodcock would have every reason to tell it to take another lap .", "a predictable mano-a-mano macho competition that bogs and meanders .", "does anyone need further proof that perhaps billy bob thornton is a comedy wet blanket ?", "the few and far between chuckles and an amusing performance from amy poehler only keep it from being a painfully unfunny experience .", "there are a decent number of laughs , but with all that potential , it 's hard not to think mr. woodcock is loafing . and that it 's the one that ought to be forced to run laps .", "mr. woodcock is funny for exactly five minutes , during which time woodcock is shown throwing basketballs at boys ' heads and mocking them for having dead parents .", "like a pitcher throwing three good innings , losing his fastball in the next three and tossing the ball in the stands at the end of the game .", "it 's not offensive , just anemic . and even coach billy bob ca n't whip it into shape .", "in spite of its piecemeal approach , `` mr. woodcock '' erupts with sidesplitting slapstick gags that more than compensate for subplots that never add up .", "another addition to the comedy of humiliation genre plays like meet the parents with a lot less warmth .", "delivers only pitiful pratfalls and parents-having-sex jokes that are well past their sell-by date .", "billy bob thornton is still wearing his bad santa outfit in mr. woodcock ...", "mr. woodcock is patently offensive trash , celebrating the humiliation and abuse -- mental and physical -- of children as an introduction into manhood , after exploiting that abuse for cheap comic effect .", "there 's more genuine humor to be gleaned from saying ` woodcock ' over and over again than from watching mr. woodcock .", "woodcock 's a strictly flaccid family affair .", "a one-joke premise that will only appeal to those who snicker at the film 's title .", "while often both funny and perceptive , it 's less than memorable , and a weak ending reduces it to more of a time-filler than a movie that 's truly worthwhile .", "billy bob thornton : acerbic aces !", "maybe the writers dwelled on some trite self-help mantra to delude themselves into thinking that the giggles that the title inspires would carry for 90 minutes .", "poehler , perversely , is so hilarious and has such terrific dialogue that she seems to have been flown in from another , funny movie .", "sharp performances enliven this formulaic comedy .", "child abuse : har-dee-har-har .", "thornton and sarandon should have their oscars repossessed , or at least temporarily revoked , for appearing in this insipid comedy .", "though mr. woodcock -lrb- tee-hee ! -rrb- starts with that strong enough premise , it never bulks up the plot with comedic muscle and weighs in as a 98-pound weakling .", "so misguided that even sarandon blends into the background , having practically nothing to do except stand around and wring her hands as the two men in her life battle it out in a passive-aggressive war .", "there 's a funny movie somewhere in mr. woodcock . it 's too bad that the filmmakers were n't more mindful of the pot .", "the movie uses up all its potential funny in its first 10 minutes , and then bounces between tossing up lame , pointless antics with a tenuous connection to the plot , and wimpily shifting the focus of its comeuppance .", "it 's just another comedy of contrived mortification and misunderstanding .", "a painfully unfunny and mean-spirited comedy , in which billy bob thornton simply plays the same acerbic jerk character he 's been playing since bad santa , and jockish seann william scott tries to pass himself off as a former high school loser .", "instead of ending , it all just gives up with a sort of `` never mind '' ending that even mr. woodcock would have to call a foul on . indeed , that is the best possible assessment of the movie as a whole .", "completely aimless and without the slightest sense of fun", "has some good laughs -lrb- anytime a 10-year old kid gets hit in the head with a basketball that 's funny , it 's comedy gold -rrb- , but the movie can be best described as predictable .", "-lsb- a -rsb- marginally promising -- but ultimately unfunny -- comedy .", "director craig gillespie clearly knows a few things ; most important : if you have only 95 minutes of material , make an only 95-minute movie . amazing how often that 's forgotten .", "it 's actually not a bad movie , with enough scattered laughs to make it worth seeing . at matinee prices , anyway . at the cheap theater .", "for woodcock to deliver , the leads needed to amp things up , to bring their a-game , or at least match the effort they 've thrown at previous versions of these characters .", "director craig gillespie keeps things moving along at a brisk clip , without doing anything particularly distracting or stylistic .", "in this post-apatow-the-arrested-development-genius world , it ca n't compete . the only thing worth watching is sarandon , popping in from a classier reality .", "MOV offers one or two glorious moments of slapstick comedy , separated by a tumbleweed-strewn tundra of tedium .", "it 's for those who remember the days when the bad guy at school was n't just the bully in the next seat , but an ex-jock whose life peaked when they were 17 and who now possesses the authority that comes with age , position and a whistle .", "it 's not the worst film you 'll see all year , but it 's not going to wind up on anyone 's honour roll , either .", "just another lamebrain , offensive and unappealing mainstream sitcom family comedy that recklessly makes light of child abuse .", "as usual , billy bob is very watchable in the lead . but the rest of the film is only so-so .", "MOV is never less than watchable , thanks to strong performances and some amusing dialogue , but it 's badly let down by a disappointingly weak plot .", "laughs aplenty in this daft comedy about `` letting go '' .", "thornton does his best with a crass script and a cop-out finale .", "disappointing .", "thornton is magnificent as the unrepentant monster .", "the only redeeming aspect is that it skewers those sweat-suited sadists we all remember from gym class , but is that satisfaction really worth the price of admission ?", "enjoyable enough while it lasts , but also instantly disposable .", "call mr. woodcock the latest version of the billy bob thornton movie .", "it 's interesting that thornton should become embraced for playing assertive , caustic types , because in reality he 's so little like that .", "watch out when the best thing to say about a movie is that director craig gillespie has staged one of the better ` getting catapulted off of a treadmill ' scenes .", "billy bob thornton simply could n't be better as the rude , tyrannical p.e. teacher whose answer to everything is '10 laps . '", "a comedy with unappealing characters and an ending that just does n't make any sense given what has preceded it .", "mr. woodcock is not really a crowd pleaser or some kind of ` dumb as dirt ' delight . instead , it 's an apparent attempt to reset the demarcation when determining the lowest common denominator .", "i 'll give them three big laughs , but those were just flukes .", "in the film 's attempt to straddle feel-good and feel-bad , ultimately one feels nothing ." ], "summary": "underutilizing a talented cast , mr. woodcock lacks the comic energy and timing to make the most of its intriguing premise .", "id": "406975478" }, { "movie": "a_tale_of_two_sisters", "reviews": [ "masterfully manipulative and bloody scary .", "with style to spare , this korean import cranks up the creeps through atmospheric sound design , slick cinematography and crimson-drenched art direction .", "unnervingly conflates fairytale lore with the angst of adolescent sexual development .", "kim 's artful tale may be stronger on atmosphere and mood than on story , but it contains hidden charges that chip away at the borders of certainty -- and that can be scary .", "i like what it 's trying to do -- use a ghost story surface to tell a tale of guilt , blame , and madness -- but was disappointed in the conventional tactics it used .", "this is a carefully structured film about grief and guilt , as well as horror . they do n't resolve every disturbing moment or confusing element : they leave some questions hauntingly unanswered .", "the atmosphere of mounting dread is matched by just-right performances , design and camerawork .", "despite its third-act problems , MOV easily passes the scare test .", "a very tasty exercise in supernatural and psychological horror .", "kim jee-woon 's serious approach has its merits , but it also creates some problems that mar , without ruining , the film 's effectiveness .", "kim ji-woon 's psychological skin-chiller painstakingly teases apart the traumas that bind a widower , his teen daughters ... and his high-strung second wife in a suffocating web of guilt , suspicion and fear . the american remake , the uninvited -lrb- 2009 -rrb- , pales", "it 's truly a masterpiece in the end .", "... boasts a suffocating atmosphere and a disjointed storyline that turns the screws on your nerves while leaving you to puzzle over the plot", "how much you appreciate the film will largely depend on how effective you feel its big revelation is .", "the film succeeds again and again at pulling you to the edge of your seat and keeping you there .", "a tour de force of psychological horror at its creepiest .", "precise direction that goes more for slow chills than quick frights , and a script with some startling twists , makes MOV a classy entry in the east asian psycho-horror stakes .", "haunting presences , inexplicable cutaways , overwhelming suspense , deeply disturbing sub-themes and a general willingness to leave things unanswered . fantastic !", "-lsb- kim -rsb- creates stunning images ripe with meaning .", "like a fairy tale set in a haunted house , this terrifying psychological horror yarn from korea preys upon deep-rooted fears of adolescence , insanity and evil stepparents while scaring the bejabbers out of us .", "more deliberately paced than even the most deliberately paced asian horror movie and twice as complex .", "murky and pretty near incomprehensible .", "a somber reflection on memory , adolescence and mourning .", "plays like a gorgeous painting hanging in a gloomy gallery -- you stand in front of one corner , mesmerized by turquoise wallpaper or a burgundy rug , then a fleeting movement in another corner draws you over .", "there 's more rank dread and inscrutable mystery in any one scene of this south korean psychological thriller than in all the american horror films of the past 10 years .", "... yet another pointless , interminably paced asian horror flick that 's inexplicably garnered heaps of praise and adulation ...", "this movie scared the hell out of me !", "the film feels haunted by the relationship between im and moon , who cling to each other in the face of a hostile hostess , even though that may not be their best option .", "even though its components may be familiar , it is made with precision and sophistication and is , by default , better than any original american horror film of the past few years .", "there 's a reason why hollywood has been so busy in recent years remaking asian horror movies . scare for scare , they 're generally better .", "even at its most maddening and cute , the elaborate interplay between hallucination and reality rewards attention .", "well-tread territory .", "the creepy visuals , the slow-burning tension , the meticulous pauses for effect , and the staggered trail of clues and revelations inexorably draw the viewer in .", "may move a bit slowly for american tastes , and the inexplicable bits may occasionally frustrate , but you slip into the rhythms of the film almost despite yourself .", "writer/director ji-woon kim leaps to the forefront of asian horror with this brilliantly executed psychological nightmare .", "we are n't meant to understand the story fully until the film 's closing minutes , so the shocks and suggestions come in a muddled context .", "although MOV has some excellent suspense sequences , it falters badly during the dramatic parts .", "it 's a stunningly creepy specimen of asian horror .", "-lsb- d -rsb- issect -lsb- s -rsb- grief and madness with an authenticity that will engage and bewilder both your lizard brain and your higher intellect ...", "as a ripe , almost victorian-tinged contemplation of desperate sisterly devotion , it can be harrowing .", "brought ` horror film ' made to order goose bumps to me .", "a delirious m\u00e9lange of styles that absorbs us for two solid hours", "quite restrained for what 's basically a horror movie , and very well acted .", "when all is finally revealed , it becomes clear that the stylish spookiness was its own slim reward .", "the attack of the killer wallpaper", "classic horror in the vein of hitchcock , argento and miike ... the scariest film in years !", "the film seems unnecessarily vague on a rational level , but it 's spot-on as a psychological study of a twinlike sibling relationship , and the ways in which memory can suppress trauma and soothe a mourning soul .", "ji-woon kim may be the korean david lynch and his juxtaposition of seemingly innocent and suddenly searing situations is marvelously unnerving , as are the constantly shifting personalities of most of his characters .", "a bit of cinematic showing-off that offers an intriguing puzzle but never really makes us care .", "... one of the best and most haunting of the recent asian horror films .", "fans of the genre will find much to savor with MOV .", "this one makes you sweat .", "it may not be a pretty picture , but MOV is definitely a satisfying piece of less-is-more cinematic horror .", "the gorgeous slow-moving cinematography by lee mogae is remarkable .", "dark , dreadful , and utterly disturbing , it 's a remarkable modern fairy story .", "there 's no denying the eye for hypnotic imagery employed by writer-director ji-woon kim and cinematographer mo-gae lee .", "that feeling of laden victoriana oozes not just from the opulent settings , but from the sexual leviathans coiling and uncoiling in the subtext ." ], "summary": "restrained but disturbing , MOV is a creepily effective , if at times confusing , horror movie .", "id": "22467" }, { "movie": "mr_poppers_penguins_2010", "reviews": [ "it may not be faithful to the original book , but now kids and parents will be able to enjoy both together .", "with a bit of heart , a bunch of cute penguins , jim carrey not overplaying it too much and a dash of angela lansbury mr. popper 's penguins actually turned out to be quite charming .", "this movie is definitely for young kids -- anyone over the age of 8 will be insulted by how predictable it is .", "jim carrey shrewdly lets his tiny co-stars have most , but not all , the fun in mr. popper 's penguins", "mr. popper 's penguins is a delightful family film from an industry void of them . take the kids or the grandkids and have a few laughs .", "kids will love the funny antics and parents might enjoy that carrey is not over the top .", "not a classic by any means , but mr. popper 's penguins does manage to provide some mildly , entertaining family fun .", "putrid , puerile and painful .", "carrey has never been better , filing down the rough edges of his manic tendencies into a performance that times the comedy of pratfalls and slow burns with faultless precision", "take just about any trope from a `` kids and animals '' flick , and you 'll find it here , in its purest form , untainted with any creativity or charm .", "this is ultimately standard family fare that will keep children happy without really making a lasting impression .", "holy mother of pearl , talk about superficial claptrap !", "enjoyable family comedy that sticks to the predictable formula but succeeds thanks to a witty script , several great gags , impressive penguin effects and a superb comic performance from jim carrey .", "like a bottle of cola that 's lost its fizz , mr popper 's penguins is flat and sickly sweet .", "the best thing about mr popper 's penguins is that it makes no discernible sense .", "-lsb- carrey 's -rsb- face performs gymnastic , nay pyroclastic , spasms while the voice cracks gags as a top chef cracks eggs : quickly , expertly , instantly separating , when possible , the joke from the runny stuff .", "raises the odd chortle but is unlikely to appeal to anyone over 10 .", "it 's not an unwatchable film , it 's just that , like the flightless birds , it never manages to take off .", "sweet-natured , undemanding family fun .", "carrey fans will be let down by the rubber-faced one playing straight man to a pack of penguins . while kids may find the plot p-p-past its sell-by date .", "for all its slickness and occasional fakery , it works because deep down it 's jangling a universal nerve that is worth jangling", "the director , mark waters , moves things briskly along and lets the charming absurdity of penguin behavior rise to its inherently good-natured heights .", "mark waters plants his camera and mostly lets jim carrey work his comedic schtick -lrb- and , thankfully , his dramatic chops -rrb- in mr. popper 's penguins .", "if mom was still alive , she would be as mad as a wet hen . or maybe a dry penguin .", "feathery fun , you know , for kids . and penguins .", "the frontrunner for worst film of carrey 's career .", "-lrb- this -rrb- lightweight piece of family fluff will be amusing only to people who think the idea of a penguin pooping is hilarious . so under 10s , basically .", "overall carrey is wasted in this film , which is overtly geared towards children with its broad humour and thick sentiment .", "divorced or office-bound parents , beware : a kid who figures out the film 's underlying message may just start asking for a puppy , or a pony .", "i have n't laughed as much for a long time ; mr popper 's penguins has the cute factor , is hilariously funny and its heart is ... warm", "kid-friendly , if not exactly potty-trained .", "even minor carrey is undeniably entertaining .", "in a desert of `` family films , '' it stands out as a surprising oasis .", "popper is just a pooper .", "look out for perky brit ophelia lovibond , who provides a perfectly pleasing performance as popper 's alliteration-prone assistant , pippi , who peppers her pronouncements with a profusion of p 's .", "grown-ups will quickly become annoyed with the squawking , the poorly conceived penguin names and the copious amount of penguin poop", "director waters , who knows his way around young adult fare having directed such films as the 2003 version of `` freaky friday '' and `` the spiderwick chronicles , '' again shows a keen eye for finding humor in everyday life", "familiarity only adds to the feeling that this is just another carrey movie", "vanilla ice over the closing credits ? pretty much perfect .", "hollywood might be trying to tell us that the answer to a midlife crisis is pets , not prozac , but those behind the camera could certainly do with a little something to perk them up a bit .", "a surprisingly touching , low-key ballad of middle-aged male regret disguised as a kiddie comedy replete with poop and fart jokes and soccer balls launched at popper 's crotch .", "the closest thing to a surprise that it has to offer viewers is that it does n't actually star eddie murphy .", "you 'd better learn to delicately sit on a penguin egg and develop really strong feelings for it or you 're a failure as a father .", "blandly flimsy , formulaic , forgettable comedy .", "fortunately , the movie throws adults a few bones along the way ; this is by no means an unpleasant film to watch , and the ice age short that runs with it is funny , too .", "as in liar liar and bruce almighty , a simple premise is established and carrey is unleashed upon it .", "a warm comedy with enough broad humor to appeal to little moviegoers .", "thanks to plucky performances and some perfectly precious pets , `` mr. poppers penguins '' provides a pleasant , if obviously packaged , pursuit .", "carrey , who is something of a cgi peacock himself , is the best thing about the film , which should delight young audiences even as it diverts their adult handlers .", "jim carrey 's silliest animal vehicle since ace ventura !", "waters neatly integrates trained birds and computer-generated imagery , but the warm-blooded actors are stuck with a story that refuses to fly .", "director waters did the `` freaky friday '' remake as well as `` mean girls , '' and knows enough not to turn a slapstick melee into a headache .", "a film that ca n't seem to buy into its own strident message of `` family first , '' possibly because to prove your love , you apparently have to risk the wrath of everyone from your co-op board to peta .", "the beloved 1938 children 's book about a house painter who becomes guardian to a dozen penguins has been turned into a standard-issue children 's comedy with jim carrey .", "the whole enterprise is surprisingly painless , albeit in an icy-cool , numbed-out way .", "mr. popper 's penguins is all about the lowest of the lowest common denominators . when in doubt , it runs to animal gas or inherent cuteness as an entertainment placeholder .", "the film is just another slice off a very stale loaf , but it 's earnest and benign . it 's sometimes funny and contains no ingredients that are bad for you , unless you are allergic to sap .", "be prepared to spend long , nerve-wracking months telling your progeny that there is no way they are ever , ever going to have a pet penguin .", "mr. popper 's penguins is a stupefying dumb family movie proving that penguins have limited charisma as pets .", "flightless and foul .", "as family entertainment for the summer holidays it is n't bad , and britain 's ophelia lovibond does well as popper 's perky assistant , though carrey is fundamentally subdued .", "jim carrey 's latest is a perfectly pleasant if predictable picture about a part-time pop who learns his priorites after receiving a package of penguins .", "carrey can single-handedly kill a good comedy with his ott shtick , but this time he reins it in and the film is all the better for it .", "it 's not an awful film but , in the end , it 's nothing much at all .", "remember adam sandler in click ? robin williams in hook ? eddie murphy in the haunted mansion ? then congratulations , you 've already seen this movie .", "this is jim at his most carrey-esque , back in ace ventura territory .", "much of the plotting is perfunctory but the slap-stick is fun and carrey , toning down his usually mugging , shrewdly lets the penguins steal the show .", "the laughter is intermittent and is ultimately overwhelmed by a wave of sentimentality .", "a saccharine family-oriented comedy , which hammers home the central message about parental responsibility and love triumphing over adversity with all the tenderness of a nasty case of frostbite .", "sadly , this is a one-joke film which carrey can not keep afloat ...", "`` mr. popper 's penguins , '' a mildly amusing flight of fancy for the family crowd , is far better for its penguins than its popper .", "despite humor that relies too heavily on bird farting and pooping , the sometimes-sweet penguins does n't stink .", "... the movie 's very lack of surprises has its own cozy comforts ...", "might be the closest jim carrey will come to making a third ace ventura film .", "a particularly plain , patly penned picture preoccupied with penguin poop .", "the message of valuing family over work feels half-baked because the film defines doing the right thing as breaking penguins out of a zoo and harboring them in a high-rise .", "mr. popper 's penguins bears almost no resemblance to the classic children 's book of the same name . but that 's not necessarily a bad thing .", "it used to be that a comedian had to make an armed services comedy . now , we stick them in domestic stories about daddies who learn family is more important than work .", "everything about the idea of `` mr. popper 's penguins '' sounds lovely , and everything about the actual movie is ugly .", "be prepared for the oh-so-real possibility that your kid -- or your wife -- is going to want a penguin for christmas after seeing this movie .", "a slick , soulless adaptation of the children 's book classic ...", "it 's yet another variation of the uptight character who loosens up through the intervention of -lrb- blank -rrb- . but the transition of popper turning from corporate raider to familial guardian -lrb- and back and forth again -rrb- is unconvincing .", "... based on a 1938 novel that it appears to have little in common with , presumably because poo and fart jokes were not in vogue back then , not to mention that modern yet already moldy cliche of the dad who works so much , he 's lost sight of his family .", "whatever fond memories audiences have of the atwaters ' work , hollywood wants to poop all over them .", "everything about it is synthetic except for the occasions in which carrey can rouse himself from the somnolence of family-movie slop .", "a mildly amusing specimen of a genre that has produced some of the most unspeakable atrocities of recent cinema .", "this is a purported comedy , loosely and irresponsibly based on a children 's novel , that only leona helmsley could love .", "... has so many cgi penguins that we might as well be watching the latest version of angry birds .", "my heart was warmed by gratuitous moments when mr. carrey clowns for clowning 's sake -- in the best of them , he makes a slo-mo entrance to a press conference , even though the camera is running at normal speed .", "see it for the air conditioning and cheap babysitting , but stay for a shred of surprising charm .", "jim carrey 's farts-and-flippers comedy , which , though exceedingly dumb , is at least very smart about what appeals to 4 - to 10-year-old kids , fans of happy feet , march of the penguins , and youtube animal videos .", "` mr. popper 's penguins ' is hollywood formula , but it 's well poured and goes down easy . -lrb- full content parental review also available -rrb-", "infantile family comedy ... a cutesy , by-the-numbers mixture of slapstick and sentiment .", "a bland family film where your struggle with consciousness will be the most exciting thing happening in the theater .", "it totally delivers on having jim carrey and penguins in it . really not much to say here . the movie does everything it promises to , it 's cute , it 's light and that 's fine .", "such a brazenly moronic and uninspired example of a family movie that you 'd swear it was a parody of brazenly moronic and uninspired family movies .", "mr. popper 's penguins finds carrey in an agreeable groove , gliding smoothly .", "why is jim carrey standing around watching penguins be funny ? why is n't he in a movie where jim carrey is funny ?", "as bastardizations of beloved children 's books go , this one is n't terrible-certainly not as offensive as the cat in the hat , for instance-but it has the potential to be a genuinely good movie and blows it . that 's a real shame . in a total ...", "carrey 's penguin antics are predictable but still funny .", "fervently panders to an under-10 audience with carrey 's main requirement only to mug in a variety of reaction shots to his beaked sidekicks ' mischievous hijinks and to provide name-brand legitimacy to a dim and unfunny project .", "despite gags that fall flat and potty humor going for easy laughs from the kids , mr. popper 's penguins offers generally enjoyable and harmless family fun .", "all of this would be simply banal if not for waters ' surehandedness and carrey 's clever inserts . this is staccato carrey , throwing in lines and rubbery faces in between the kid movie machinations .", "director mark waters manages to wring some charm out of the film , and out of jim carrey .", "a goofily endearing family flick . it 's nothing that wo n't be just as much fun on home video , but a pleasant enough time waster while kids are out of school .", "-lsb- video -rsb- you probably wo n't come away from the movie with any newfound appreciation for penguins , but you 'll get what you came for from jim carrey .", "while the story is formula cornball , director mark waters sells it confidently , handling the unruly antarctic denizens as amiably as he handled lindsay lohan in his freaky friday remake and mean girls .", "in spite of his adorable cg fish-eating accessories , popper is just another lazy , family-friendly stock patriarch in a long line of clueless but basically well-meaning fathers that carrey has played over the years .", "with , say , eddie murphy as the star , mr. popper 's penguins might have been a glorified paycheck contrivance . but carrey is so naturally stylized that he coaxes the film 's gentle , creature-feature insanity to life .", "mr. popper 's penguins has hatched a refreshing , hilarious and heartwarming movie for everyone .", "carrey looks frozen out of his own movie -- a stiffer and less elastic version of the younger dynamo . he could have used some of that cgi magic himself .", "an explicit shot of a penguin doing its business on a man 's face -lsb- is -rsb- an apt metaphor for what the movie has to offer family audiences .", "yet another almost ghastly film wrapped around the gigantic talent that is jim carrey .", "`` mr. popper 's penguins '' the best family film this year and a must for the summer !", "it 's an old-fashioned movie , gentling its way toward satisfying familial reunion , fueled by almost always endearing penguin antics .", "it 's awkward .", "mr. popper 's penguins ranks as just another in a long line of disappointments from carrey .", "theoretically , hilarity ensues . in fact , the laughs , such as there are , are mild and sparse . . if carrey is less manic than you anticipate , he 's also a lot less funny .", "-lsb- carrey 's -rsb- always `` on , '' even when the character is supposed to be off ; by the end of the movie , there is n't a piece of scenery that does n't bear his teethmarks .", "it stokes memories of an era of clever , adventurous and genuinely sweet movies for kids , on one hand , while planting a future memory of quality for today 's tykes .", "although the mix of real gentoo penguins and cgi tricksters will keep youngsters entertained , we spend a lot of time waiting for the movie to shake a tail feather .", "a formulaic family comedy with little to offer other than prepackaged life lessons and carrey going through the motions of lame slapstick and a half-hearted catch phrase .", "come for the penguins , stay for the four fart jokes , four defecation gags , one shot of testicle trauma , and a series of sketchy messages for the wee ones .", "somehow it kind of clicks .", "carrey generates zero laughs with one penguin . then five more penguins arrive , and even youngsters should know the product of six times zero .", "what the heck became of carrey 's career as a comic genius ?", "it 's not very good , but it works better than it has any right to because carrey never ever phones it in .", "following his terrific performance in the r-rated i love you phillip morris , carrey has turned to a soft pg vehicle , and shows too much strain to make the comedy viable .", "the six penguins cast in this amiable fox family comedy steal the movie -- along with any fish they can find -- although the film 's star , jim carrey , does manage very nicely to hold his own .", "this is carrey phoning it in , without any of the usual carrey hi-jinx that makes these films worth watching .", "mr. popper 's penguins will certainly delight the kiddies , but their parents might wish for a tad more jim carrey irreverence .", "march of the penguins plus puerile people . there 's the cute-animals schtick , lazy toilet humour , and a squawwwking message about rediscovering both inner child and family .", "the good news is that , even though one must pace oneself through the dull parts , usually involving mr. popper 's dullish family , -lsb- carrey 's -rsb- in pretty good form whenever he 's getting physical", "just when you think penguin mania is over , here comes ` mr. popper 's penguins ' starring jim carrey plus the cutest bunch of penguins ever to waddle across the screen and steal your heart .", "pitch perfect fun .", "carrey modulates his comedy for a kid-friendly audience", "mr. popper 's penguins has enough originality -lrb- and silly physical comedy -rrb- to make it stand out .", "jim carrey 's warmest , funniest movie in years and its perfect for kids and adults .", "not nearly as dismal as it could have been ." ], "summary": "blandly inoffensive and thoroughly predictable , mr. popper 's penguins could have been worse -- but it should have been better .", "id": "771217266" }, { "movie": "catch_and_release", "reviews": [ "-lsb- garner -rsb- is moving up the likeability ladder to sandra bullock/julia roberts levels .", "that this movie does n't find a way out of the morass of clich\u00e9 and triviality is n't surprising , but it is disappointing .", "the mark of a good romantic comedy is whether it can make you care if the couple in the poster wind up being an item by the final reel . at the end of ` MOV , ' cupid 's intrigues and caprices are less involving than a typical state of the union", "ugh .", "MOV is a little one that gets away .", "sadly lifeless .", "it does n't end with a mad dash through an airport , for example . but nor does it bother with thinking of anything much better .", "i was pleasantly surprised .", "much , much better than it has any right to be .", "an archetypal date movie with a good heart .", "the cliches can be grating at times , and even as a typical romantic comedy it never reaches the level of , say , the truth about cats and dogs .", "... a likable romantic comedy that delivers enough laughs and star appeal to fare reasonably well in the date-movie department , even if it does n't entirely live up to its ambitions .", "for those who 's receptivity to a bit of romance between attractive people is strong enough to prevail against vacuous literary flotsam .", "unable to work as a comedy , romance or drama , this film is n't to catch or release . best to just let this one swim on by .", "the film suffers from a style that settles for pleasant or touching at the cost of spontaneous or impassioned . too bad , because ms. garner is a genuinely pleasing presence .", "given the film 's complicated and ambitious opening , it 's that more disappointing when it settles into the rut of ` happily ever after ' cliches .", "were it not for -lsb- kevin -rsb- smith 's mildly amusing antics , it might have been necessary to attach a warning to the movie about the dangers of watching it whilst operating heavy machinery .", "a strange fish of a film , susannah grant 's directorial debut MOV glitters and reeks .", "if anyone could make death a delight , it 's jennifer garner .", "the kind of movie that just ca n't seem to have enough annoying self-absorbed people around to rattle on about their life woes . catch this release at your own peril .", "it 's such a bland example of its genre , it may as well have been titled a romantic drama starring jennifer garner .", "there 's barely anything new in this well-designed , prettily shot piece of fluff hewn from the realm of tragic-comic romance immemorial .", "a chick flick , but all the chicks are guys . the dialogue among these girlymen is so unmanly and unrealistic it increases the cringe factor geometrically .", "do you hear that clinking noise ? it 's the chains of the plot left dangling .", "if it should happen that one day netflix includes MOV among `` movies you 'd also enjoy , '' consider cancelling your subscription .", "i just do n't know any chick who will make sense of this flick -- it 's that blitheringly out of touch with present psychosexual -lrb- never mind feminist -rrb- time and space .", "unappealing , inert and overlong inane romantic comedy .", "... kind of the inverse of last year 's you , me & dupree jammed together with an old bette davis weepie .", "despite the film 's attempts to imbue garner with spark , she simply disappears into the supporting pack in a film that does n't know if it 's rom-coming or going .", "why jennifer garner was eager to play the lead in this film is anybody 's guess .", "the sense of new age romantic serendipity and zen whimsy writer/director grant strives to invoke in ` MOV ' just does n't register .", "romantic comedies lately are surpassing the threshold of good taste , with death brought into the equation more often . though susannah grant showed some insight into the plight of troubled women through her scripts for `` erin brockovich '' and `` in her shoes , ''", "the predictable concept strains credulity . throw it back !", "we left this giggling over all of the bad fishing jokes we could use in our review of the film , which is telling ... it 's certainly not the catch of the day .", "the star of tv 's alias , garner would have been wise to use a false name .", "if you 're looking for a predictable but inoffensive film , `` MOV '' is about as middle-of-the-road as you can get .", "it 's an orgy of product placement that gives you 've got mail a run for the money .", "catch & release ? nah . try net & forget .", "the floundering MOV is not a keeper .", "complete misfire .", "mostly forgettable romantic comedy for teens and up .", "release yourself from boredom by giving it a miss .", "by the conclusion of the film , MOV transformed itself from a risk-taking romantic comedy with a darkly humorous lining into a stereotypically syrupy outing ...", "viewers may find its mix of pathos and humor loose and lumpy , but then is n't that how life is ?", "MOV will not cause ben affleck any husband-envy . it 's a harmless romantic comedy that will garner garner no awards and middling success at the box office .", "suffice it to say that when the best thing you can say about a movie is the soundtrack was decent -lrb- catch the old lemonheads tune in the beginning -rrb- , it 's not worth the trip to the theater .", "a story of self-discovery MOV is ... well it 's horribly , horribly dull is what it is . it 's like an entire season of a mediocre primetime soap opera squeezed into a couple of hours .", "... harbours a secret crush on gray but , hey , so does everybody , since gray has fairies and butterflies flying out of her vagina .", "MOV is an all-too-appropriate title for the glum new jennifer garner movie . this fish should be thrown back .", "jennifer garner may possess the hardest working eyebrows in show business , but kevin smith gets the acting kudos in this bittersweet romance .", "garner is likable , but the film is so leisurely and meandering that it never quite builds a pulse to engage the emotions the way grant so obviously strives .", "even with smith involved , MOV is n't the sort of film a guy would generally go to see alone , but it does make for a decent date movie . she 'll enjoy the romantic elements and he 'll likely find it unobjectionably entertaining .", "the chick comedy-drama MOV may look bland , but it 's not . it 's worse . to rise to the level of blandness , it would need to have a few gallons of tabasco dumped into it .", "a film that a talented veteran of romantic comedy would have had trouble pulling off , let alone a screenwriter -lrb- susannah grant wrote erin brockovich -rrb- who has never directed a film before .", "every time -lsb- kevin smith -rsb- comes on screen , he perks things up a little . he makes the time pass faster , and the flaws recede . he turns what might be a forgettable movie into a halfway decent one .", "the romantic comedy MOV is refreshing for what it does n't have . there is no whiny , spoiled golden girl and no baring of claws .", "neither a comedy nor a drama but existing in that comfortable space in between , MOV , the feature-directing debut of screenwriter susannah grant , is an oddly appealing , if innocuous , movie of considerable charm .", "from scene to scene , it careens back and forth between honest emotion and contrived absurdity , the net effect of which is to make even the most credible bits of behavior feel suspect and the whole package annoyingly unengaging .", "MOV is a puzzle missing a few critical pieces , and as a result , it never really connects .", "this wan , by-the-numbers romantic comedy , which marks the directorial debut of screenwriter susannah grant , is so superficial and formulaic that even garner 's mega-watt grin ca n't completely save it .", "screenwriter susannah grant -lrb- in her shoes , erin brockovich -rrb- makes her directing debut by cramming every conceivable genre into one mess of a movie . it 's as if she did n't think she 'd get another chance .", "for the most part , MOV is involving and occasionally endearing .", "this one is n't even worth catching . just throw it back .", "despite possessing a few effective and affecting scenes , MOV is a mess and the methods it uses to bring closure to its diverse storylines feel trite and contrived .", "it 's passable entertainment that you do n't have to feel totally guilty about enjoying . in late january , we 'll take it .", "neither here nor there , neither offensively bad nor anything special , MOV inspires little more than a shrug .", "cockamamie .", "susannah grant 's disappointingly lugubrious directorial debut is a tweener , a cliche ' dramedy neither humorous to qualify as comedy nor substantial enough to be taken as drama ; hopes for a fresh female voice in telling romantic yarns are defeated .", "MOV has a magazine-spread polish that sometimes tricks you into thinking that it 's a more distinctive romantic comedy than it actually is .", "forgettable seriocomic blather from writer-director susannah grant .", "does n't move things along so much as let them float in an abyss of romantic comedy jell-o that congeals from the get-go .", "deals with serious issues -- sudden death , grief , infidelity , deception -- in a fairly lighthearted way . what makes that worse is that there are a few moments when the film actually approaches some kind of emotional or dramatic truth .", "MOV is an unfunny , undramatic comedy-drama that asks us to care about lying idiots making implausible choices .", "garner and -lsb- writer/director -rsb- grant work hard to push the picture into unexplored territory , and the cringe-worthy moments are easy to overlook .", "however diverting are garner , smith and the scenery , the ricochet-romance aspect of grant 's film is , frankly , icky .", "MOV seems both too long -lrb- at nearly two hours -rrb- and too short -lrb- with under-developed plot lines -rrb- . still , you may enjoy gray and sam , and even fritz , enough to stay involved .", "MOV is a perfectly likable romantic tragi-comedy , and therein lies the problem . if the essence of drama and comedy is conflict , what do you get when you wash the conflict away in an effort to make everybody ` likable ' ?", "MOV has been described in the trades as a romantic comedy , but the rambling , episodic movie defies classification .", "calling this a chick flick is maybe too easy . the film is for people who want to leave the house but watch tv without going to a bar or hotel . bring along a remote and you can be fully comfortable .", "susannah grant 's movie is rough around the edges , but once you get used to the laconic pace , the plot grooves along nicely .", "screenwriter susannah grant makes her directing debut with a romance that wants to respect the mess of love and loss but winds up smoothing all its rough edges with a hollywood pumice stone .", "MOV is overlong and unfocused but not entirely unlikable . unfortunately , its least likable element is its lead character , gray , played by jennifer garner .", "a film with a fishing metaphor for a title should have come with sharper hooks .", "although extremely slow moving and hard to sit through , ` MOV ' focuses on characters who genuinely care about each other .", "... nothing particularly noteworthy or innovative ...", "can we really be expected to invest in a budding relationship between a woman and the best buddy of her dead lover ?", "the multiple story threads make it a little unfocused from a thematic standpoint , but it 's a generally well-executed lark , neither too serious nor too silly for its subject matter .", "at times i was entertained ; other times , i just scratched my head .", "the film 's slight , quirky characters are driven by a soundtrack designed to tell us exactly how to feel . and perhaps that 's not such a bad thing -- in this case , something had to .", "disappointing film that ca n't decide whether it 's meant to be a romantic comedy or an emotional drama and fails at both as a result .", "a ghastly sort of nora ephron-ish good taste pervades this romcom-tearjerker .", "juliette lewis helps break the monotony with a sparkling turn as a ditsy skeleton in the dead fianc\u00e9 's closet and kevin smith spouts a few good zingers as the slacker housemate . sadly it 's not enough to catch and keep hold of your interest .", "a big-hearted light-headed story that is n't as deep as it wants to be , but still manages to entertain .", "grant 's debut as a director is less than impressive and soon will be consigned to the dvd outlets where perhaps it should have appeared first .", "in the first half-hour of ` catch , ' you may wonder what the movie 's focus is going to be ; 90 minutes later , you still wo n't have a clear answer . ... while it 's all nicely acted and sometimes funny , it 's also utterly disjointed .", "a film that focus on real-life possibilities and whose characters traverse the highs and lows of their lives . the perfect valentine date movie .", "the film ends up caught in the middle between characters that have a unique way of life about them and a story that feels bolted to the floor of convention no matter how much grant struggles to free herself .", "MOV draws its title from the fishing philosophy of gray 's fianc\u00e9 and buddies . the humane thing to do is throw this film back too .", "suffers from trying to be too many things to too many audiences and tastes .", "reportedly cut down from an unwieldy running time , it feels like a jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces missing that forms a picture that was n't worth waiting for .", "if it was brad pitt carrying the coffee and halle berry saying she 's not serious about him to a buddy , this movie would make over $ 100 million .", "in her directorial debut susannah grant has made a romantic comedy that flounders and fizzles with bad acting and unappealing characters .", "jennifer garner leads an enormously appealing cast as the bride who wore black .", "there are some interesting , if less than original , ideas stuck between all the comic banter and the unlikely romantic relationship you see coming a mile away , but the film never finds a way to marry the less-than-convincing melodrama with the melancholy .", "a noteworthy mess for the sheer mass of talent it squanders , MOV is best not caught .", "writer-director susannah grant , of erin brockovich fame , mixes in the funny with the sappy . all in all , a good date movie with a nice twist -- even if you saw it coming .", "the romantic dramedy MOV is off the mark in so many respects one wonders if it would have been more humane to release this one directly into the dvd stream .", "this fish-themed romance flops wildly all over the place , from heavy poignant moments to slapsticky comedy , with a healthy dose of soapy melodrama in between .", "in spite of the material , lewis really finds a natural rhythm to her character , almost as if she were in a separate movie . too bad she is n't .", "a romantic comedy-drama with little comedy , no drama and less romance than your average youtube video .", "MOV tries to hook audiences by changing gears between drama and comedy . it 's a formula that 's proven successful for many so-called ` chick flicks ' , but here it fails to reel you in .", "feel free to throw it back .", "lachrymose and lugubrious , this drippy dramedy tries to mix laughter and tears but earns only an exasperated frown .", "the film 's a pleasant enough daydream before it turns all squoodgy at the end .", "like a girl falling for the wrong guy , -lsb- writer/director -rsb- grant has fallen for her own inadequate material . her overstuffed story feels under-explained .", "... the rare chick flick that defines its heroine on her own terms , not in terms of the husband or boyfriend she wants or has .", "kevin smith has a commanding , affable presence that hints his acting career may surpass his considerable directorial successes . it 's a performance that would land an oscar nomination , if only the film it came from were n't so weak .", "this is one of those chick flicks with nice characters and little plot , so boyfriends had best beware .", "-lsb- b -rsb- eautifully crafted ... creates an aching loveliness of psychic empty space ...", "at best a mildly diverting effort that wants to be more than it is .", "a romantic non-comedy .", "that MOV does n't amount to much is because it treads lightly on big emotions .", "if grief were as easily overcome as it is in MOV , prozac sales would be in dire trouble .", "one of those movies where the small pleasures stack up high enough to dwarf the disappointments .", "the movie takes subject matter that seems depressing and infuses it with humor and warmth .", "a well-acted , truthfully written film -- there 's just too much of it -lrb- about 20 minutes too much -rrb- .", "take heart : you may feel that it takes forever , but the movie will eventually end .", "the poor man 's julia roberts , garner boasts a similar coltish , awkward physicality and vaguely aquatic mouth ... just none of the movie-star charisma .", "MOV is another middle-of-the-road romantic dramedy , neither offensively bad nor terribly inspiring either , despite its best efforts ." ], "summary": "a romantic dramedy with boring , stock characters and contrived situations .", "id": "387348368" }, { "movie": "terribly_happy", "reviews": [ "word is that danish director henrik ruben genz is planning to remake his latest film , MOV , in english . there 's not much room for improvement .", "moves swiftly and offers just enough creepiness and conflict to keep things interesting .", "... has a lot in common with david lynch 's `` blue velvet . ''", "genz creates a distinctive look and feel in the film . the town is drab , the people wrung out , and the moments of passion are smoothed back down into the tired routine .", "we can spot every single plot turn coming across the tidelands from five kilometers away . certainly someone deserves to get shot .", "MOV , directed by henrick ruben genz , is all moodiness , midnight black comedy and noir mystery .", "it may not sound funny , but there 's a bleakly comic air about the story , and a bit of surrealism , suggesting the most caustic side of the coen brothers .", "the movie is so artfully constructed that it gives you the sweats right up to the end .", "a polished , entertaining affair that spins off in unexpected directions .", "a taut , intriguing and refreshingly well-crafted crime thriller brimming with many clever twists and turns .", "finds the sweet spot in that realm of disturbing , unpredictable drama tinged with the blackest possible comedy ... a deliciously dark and offbeat surprise .", "this is one avant-garde western -lrb- and film noir and psychodrama -rrb- that no one , pig bodine or otherwise , need recommend .", "an eerie spellbinder featuring inbred folks from a small , evil , danish town .", "it is wonderfully unhinged , and a painstakingly constructed meditation on a place where good and evil meet , mate , and make sour times sublime and , dare i say it , beautiful .", "the characters are intended to be slightly stupid , but the writing is n't necessarily smarter .", "genz 's amoral , sadistic black comedy recalls the coen brothers in blood simple mode ; it 's fascinating to watch as the hapless characters are sucked into a morass of diabolical fate and their own vice and folly .", "genz and erling have constructed a story so clever that the pleasure of following its twists is enough in itself .", "... a mystery thriller from start to finish that goes in unexpected directions and it is an enjoyable ride all the way through .", "no noirish yarn this good stays obscure long", "an american remake is said to be in the works ; see the original before someone lesser than genz -- or the coens -- gets their mitts on it .", "ganz cooks up a compelling paranoid mood , but there 's not enough to sustain the tone , and eventually the movie burns itself out .", "MOV is a gripping morality tale , one that uses macabre humor and sudden reversals to show how seemingly little mistakes can become life-changing disasters .", "MOV must surely be the greatest danish western ever made .", "with its fascinating story , perfect pacing and superbly moody camera work by cinematographer jorgen johansson , MOV takes you by a slow , purposeful surprise .", "such dark doings wo n't be for everyone , but fans of similarly dry nordic fare - like the works of aki kaurismaki - will be happy to have found it .", "based on a novel by erling jepsen , this offbeat drama wrings suspense and mordant wit in equal measure from a situation that spirals quickly out of control .", "genz seems to delight in keeping viewers off guard . nothing is as it seems at first , and nothing ever plays out the way you expect .", "beneath the poker face of this wickedly entertaining film lurks an insinuating smirk on the verge of widening into a grin .", "an odd and enjoyable small-town noir from denmark", "this is a smart , melancholy crime picture , which takes its cues from the title of the perverse old standard christensen plays on her stereo at night : `` you always hurt the one you love . ''", "een the story 's sudden swerve into melodrama has the nightmare reality of film noir at its best .", "cedergren is a little too bland , but that works with hansen 's air of haplessness and sets him apart from the colorful locals .", "a strong crime-thriller on par with some of the films from the coen brothers , one that keeps you captivated with every twist and development .", "not terrible , not happy .", "obviously , the dark nature of the story will turn off some audiences . but the film will appeal to those who love the thriller genre ...", "something is rotten in the state of denmark .", "it has been aptly compared to the coen brothers and films like blood simple -lrb- 1984 -rrb- .", "entertaining and full of surprising twists , this highly cinematic tale of a copenhagen policeman working punishment duty in the provinces plays with genre in a manner that can be compared with the coen brothers or david lynch .", "a nearly surreal scandinavian crime thriller with noirish shades of a stockholm syndrome kicking in , this creepy delight unfolds on the border somewhere between the nordic boondocks and the twilight zone .", "MOV is a comedy of misdirection of the blackest hue ...", "lurid and stylish , this 2008 danish feature plays like a cross between the postman always rings twice and high noon , with a dash of gothic thriller .", "`` MOV '' is a little light on the plotting , going on narrative autopilot for the last third of the film instead of giving us a few extra turns of the screw for good measure .", "not quite a comedy but as darkly comic a crime drama as you 'll find , this offbeat modern noir ... is a weirdly compelling portrait of a town that has its own sense of justice ...", "the setting is stark and simple - a semi-deserted , two-street town amid long , flat marshland - but director henrik ruben genz infuses it all with a dark , twisted beauty ." ], "summary": "led by henrik ruben ganz 's assured direction , this knotty danish noir thriller steers audiences into some nicely unexpected territory .", "id": "770783497" }, { "movie": "material_girls", "reviews": [ "certainly does n't bode well for either duff sister if this is the best script coming their way .", "is anjelica huston in need of work ? is that why she 's in this piece of crap ?", "as a film that sets out to poke fun at the la , st tropez tan , famous for being famous , stupid small dogs lifestyle , its far too candy-coated and lacks bite , while the comic timing is off .", "save your allowance , kids -- a mall trip would be way more fun than this ditzy duff fluff .", "the movie , which was not screened for critics , makes a joke of everyone who is n't wealthy , white and pencil thin .", "the duff sisters are pleasant personalities , but the vapid bimbosity of their characters quickly becomes grating .", "along the way , self-discovery bangs 'em over the head .", "fans of the duffs finally have a film to look forward to while they 're doing their nails and staring off into space .", "an insipid mess not worthy of the tweens who flock to such flicks .", "a brain-numbing , fluffy flick for tweens .", "welcome to adulthood , hillary and haylie duff . here are your t-mobile sidekicks and tabloid news stories . leave your personalities at the door .", "even anjelica huston as a rival cosmetics magnate struggles to inject any venom into the proceedings .", "lessons about social responsibility are submerged in a bubble bath of innocent glamour ; amy heckerling 's clueless looks like a mordant social satire by comparison .", "the scariest part of MOV comes when you 're sitting in the dark theater and start considering the possibility that young women might find these characters sympathetic .", "a duff movie indeed .", "forced to endure such casually offensive nonsense , the viewer ends up slumming it far more than the duff protagonists .", "i liked it better with brittany murphy .", "an incompetent spin on the poor-little-rich-girl story , the film involves a lot of wardrobe changes and product placements , and a smidgen of intrigue and some chaste romance .", "i barely buy them as sisters , let alone as whoever these characters are supposed to be .", "it 's not clueless , just clueless .", "woe is the marchetta sisters !", "as if one duff was n't enough for us .", "martha coolidge 's direction treats the whole adventure with more respect than it deserves , which also makes one wish that she 'd been able to work with the duffs on something much more worthwhile .", "-lsb- it -rsb- is n't some light send-up of materialism . it 's a light endorsement of it .", "the fact is , neither hilary nor haylie have any flair for subtle comedy .", "it succeeds on its own terms . these days , even pre teens live in a material world .", "light but listless .", "there is no edge to the movie at all , and that blandness will render it forgettable to anyone over the age of 12 or so , but for all that , it is pleasant enough , and occasionally even fun .", "madonna 's anthem was only good-naturedly arrogant , but the socal twins , like the film 's script , are arrogant , ghastly immature and offensive to any audience that is n't all of the above .", "nonsensical from the get-go , the girls ' fish-out-of-water routine grows interminable .", "stays true to its name , all right , but there 's no reason the film also had to be an embarrassingly unfunny and aimless chore to sit through .", "at the very least , material answers the question everyone wants to know : yes , haylie is the better actress .", "a superficial tween comedy that mocks celebutantes like the olsen twins while simultaneously pushing stars hilary and haylie duff as their replacements .", "you may find yourself longing for the intricate plotting and ensemble acting skills of the olsen twins movies .", "paris and nicky hilton exhibit more character nuance . and they 're vaguely more entertaining to watch .", "the film opens with the duffs huffing and puffing their way through a remake of madonna 's ` material girl , ' an ode to gold digging that madonna sang with a touch of wry humor ; the duffs perform it as if it was ` the battle hymn of the republic . '", "this is indeed one dumb film .", "with the exception of anjelica huston 's regal supporting turn , ` MOV ' is an immaterial movie .", "it 's sort of reassuring that although madge has seemingly given up starring in bad movies , her company is still financing terrible scripts .", "even by the low standards of the genre it represents , this female teen comedy represents a new nadir .", "the villain -lrb- a greedy corporate man of some sort -rrb- is n't very fleshed out , but it 's hard to believe that he 's any worse than the two self-serving , appearance-obsessed protagonists , with whom the film asks young girls everywhere to identify .", "a few funny lines spool out intermittently , but it 's the inane-ness of MOV that grates . while hollywood sisters haylie and hilary duff tell each other money does n't bring happiness , their actions speak otherwise", "finally drives a duff vehicle into the land of beguilingly awful .", "maybe immaterial girls would have been a more appropriate title .", "you might remember it from may when it starred lindsay lohan and was called just my luck .", "there 's a happily ever after ending complete with cute new boyfriends . but on the way there , the movie has a surprising number of inapprpriate and ugly choices considering the target audience and the pg rating .", "messy , patronising and tonally confused , this vanity project - timed to co-incide with hilary duff 's perfume launch - quite frankly stinks .", "watchable enough and by no means as bad as the perfect man , although there 's not much here that 'll interest the over-12s .", "the film 's sole purpose is to promote , with chilling lack of irony , hilary duff 's own brand of perfume -- oh , and there 's her single as well .", "under the circumstances , anjelica huston and lukas haas manage not to embarrass themselves , but only because they 're pretending to be in a different movie .", "frankly movies like MOV sicken me ; they 're base and soulless and entirely unworthy of the celluloid they were filmed upon .", "seems more of an ode to paris and nicky hilton than a decent vehicle for these sisters", "haylie and sister hilary duff just do n't have the comedy stylings to sell this half-baked story of heiress sisters battling to save their dad 's cosmetics empire from ruin .", "`` this thing is screwier than courtney love ! '' whimpers hilary in her usual chihuahua-on-helium whine . even she , however , manages to shine next to her aggravating older sister , saddled as she is with all the comic timing of a mortally wounded elephant ." ], "summary": "plagued by paper-thin characterizations and a hackneyed script , MOV fails to live up to even the minimum standards of its genre .", "id": "277848908" }, { "movie": "more_than_a_game", "reviews": [ "there 's no `` i '' in team . but there are two in stultifying .", "belman does n't look into the bigger problems of james ' team jet-setting across the country during the school year , or the spectacle allowed to build up around him .", "keeps the hype at bay long enough to create a story about real characters , rather than indulging in glorified player profiles .", "it 's an inspiring tale not just for lovers of basketball , although the games featured are so thrilling and tense that it 's a challenge to remain sitting placidly in one 's seat .", "deeply inspiring . that said , for every young kid who sees MOV and thinks they are the next lebron james -- it should be mandatory to watch 1994 's hoop dreams .", "sometimes the narrative suffers from a surfeit of hindsight -- earnest sermonizing on the importance of friendship , family and dedication in the boys ' development . the sermons are worthy ones , though , and mr. belman 's film dramatizes what it preaches .", "` MOV ' is a riveting , emotional and inspirational documentary that captures the ups and downs of five young men who bonded as friends and teammates .", "somewhat engaging and well-edited with stylish cinematography and great music , but it ultimately falls short in terms of offering insightful and provocative revelations .", "the footage is terrific , and all the guys make for charismatic heroes . but belman barely addresses the stories happening off the court .", "teamwork , not victory : that 's the message of MOV and it 's a worthy one that makes for exciting filmmaking .", "the skilled editing eventually brings out the personalities of all five players , adding an emotional stake to the footage of key games .", "there is dazzling basketball here and an interesting father-son relationship -lrb- coach dru joyce was father of the shortest player on the team -rrb- .", "around the halfway point when the lebron james crew runs into some adversity beyond the socioeconomic circumstances that get short shrift in the movie , it starts getting pretty good .", "while MOV succeeds in depicting the friends ' deep mutual affection , the edges of the lebron james story are too often smoothed to a dull , inspirational point .", "a superb , slam-dunk documentary about young boys achieving personal and team goals on the basketball court .", "it 's always risky to mix sports metaphors , but it 's hard to resist the notion that the basketball-themed MOV is a knockout of a sports documentary .", "even non-basketball fans should enjoy this terrific human interest drama of skill , loyalty , and passion .", "conforms to the classic three-act story structure of unexpected success followed by hubristic downfall followed by triumphant return .", "an inspiring story that works very hard to remind you it 's an inspiring story at every opportunity .", "good game footage , a few clear looks at the kids behind it , but mostly as processed as space jam .", "lebron becomes a high school star , and this doc entertains without getting too heavy .", "an inspirational bio-pic about the transcendent magic of friendship forged in pursuit of hoop dreams .", "MOV is a documentary , but it 's every inch a triumph-of-the-underdogs fairy tale .", "belman only skims the surface ; even his depiction of the admirable joyce -lrb- who ditched corporate america to chase his dream of being a mentor -rrb- shows a preference for tidy sound bites over intense inquiry .", "let 's start with the title , which is problematic by nature : there is nothing MOV on display here .", "it 's especially effective in exploring the pressures on the boys and their fragile dreams .", "utterly captivating for the humanity at its core .", "the film is pretty superficial in its reporting and is by-the-numbers in its storytelling . if the subjects were n't interesting , the movie would be a complete snore .", "what 's almost as impressive as james 's talent on the court is his poise and character .", "you 'd be hard-pressed to find a better documentary about on-court dynamics and off-court camaraderie ; but as journalism , it 's less than thorough .", "despite opening with a statement that basketball should be a means to an end rather than an end in itself , the film itself is about 99.9 % basketball .", "the filmmakers go a little too far with the superlatives , at times trying to portray these gifted and often immature players as bigger underdogs than they appear to be in real life . but the movie is comprehensive and interesting ...", "like a gambler with an inside bet , you can know the final score , but still enjoy every second of the game .", "it 's a resonant story about four boyhood friends , determination , sacrifice , overcoming obstacles and the mentor who guides them from rough beginnings to the national basketball championship . it 's about victorious lives , not games .", "maybe belman 's film will instill in youngsters an interest in documentaries , of which this is a generally fine example .", "expertly orchestrated and unavoidably moving , MOV is nevertheless your standard inspirational sports story about spunky kids who defy the odds to become champions .", "MOV is more than a feature-length profile of lebron james , and that 's good news .", "not exactly your average sports saga , filled with extraordinary characters and equally extraordinary circumstances that hollywood could craft no better in any feature script .", "evoted fans of the game , and especially of lebron james , will love MOV . the skeptical and the curious may find themselves wanting more .", "the story itself would be largely untold if belman had n't wheedled his way into their trust , filming his own footage and being granted use of a wealth of home-movie material .", "really , it 's just an extension of the lebron james brand , released to coincide with a book on the same subject and designed to explore the star 's humble roots even while further buffing his galactic glitter .", "while not a particularly great documentary , it succeeds hugely at what it sets out to do , aided by a dramatic storyline that would probably be dismissed as too fantastically implausible if it was in a fiction film .", "what a cool documentary . what a cool memoir .", "there 's plenty to both cheer and ponder .", "what 's amazing , and what belman captures perfectly , is how coach dru achieves his dream of becoming a head coach by being a role model to these boys in need .", "it drags in places , becomes repetitive and could use a more rigid hand in editing , but it also has a kind of pleasing earnestness that would be lost in a more sophisticated effort .", "no make-believe hollywood script could match this once-in-a-lifetime , all-american story ." ], "summary": "though the film may not delve as deep as some would prefer , MOV is an inspiring documentary featuring likable youngsters , a positive message , and some exciting in-game footage .", "id": "770797973" }, { "movie": "you_can_count_on_me", "reviews": [ "it is a rarity to find a film willing to tell a story through an exploration of the relationship , the romance , between a brother and a sister .", "you wo n't meet a nicer dysfunctional family all year .", "a score of bach 's unaccompanied cello suites befits siblings accustomed to solitude - passages of mourning and joy given life by characters with proper proportions of antagonism and affection . unresolved yet complete , it 's about replacing fear with truth .", "the lead characters are extremely well played by laura linney and mark ruffalo . yet above all it is kenneth lonergan 's writing and direction that left the biggest mark .", "this feature debute , which gives good name to american indie cinema , is worth revisiting on dvd for the performances of mark ruffalo and laura linney .", "well structured without resorting to flashbacks", "a quiet , amazingly sharp character study .", "lonergan avoids the faults of many american storytellers by refusing to cast characters in a judgmental light , giving each enough dignity to be convincing and sympathetic .", "stylized showmen do rain man and forrest gump , but it takes a natural actor like ruffalo to pull off this strange beauty .", "linney and ruffalo 's rapport is warm but raw and unsentimental , capturing the unconditional tough love dynamic that can only exist between siblings .", "a fountain of narrative surprise . you never know where this thing is going . and it 's such a pleasure to tag along with these characters .", "one of the best films in many a moon about the passions siblings call forth from each other .", "a remarkable , heartfelt and hilarious journey that will leave you homesick with recognition .", "when terry describes scottsville as a town full of ` dull , narrow people ... with no perspective , no scope , ' he might have been describing the film 's characters .", "la pel\u00edcula est\u00e1 tan maravillosamente bien escrita y narrada , que al salir de la sala se respira un aire de esperanza ...", "MOV is one of the best movies to see this year . but more than that , it 's also one of the best to simply listen to .", "hollywood does n't usually make films about brothers and sisters and i can understand why . who would want to watch a story about me bickering with my sister ?", "it is visually flat and uninteresting and too often feels like a -lrb- leisurely paced -rrb- filmed play .", "this film offers a literate script and is sensitively directed , it 's a brilliant debut as a director for playwright kenneth lonergan .", "it compares poorly to stuff like five easy pieces .", "there was an emotional reality that i admired .", "it is a simple , low-budget film that succeeds because of a great script and good performances .", "the best domestic comedy-drama in ages , a genuine american beauty without all the flash of american beauty .", "a spare -lsb- but witty -rsb- rumination on the interconnectedness of independent life and dependent family -- how we all need a place to drop anchor and exhale .", "unconditional love is a beautiful theory , lonergan suggests , but putting it into practice can be exasperating .", "... feels as natural as a conversation between two people who have known each other their whole lives . one of the year 's best .", "a pleasant motion picture , offering a solid evening 's worth of entertainment .", "a subtle and often surprising study of the relationship between damaged adult siblings , full of mordant humor and dramatic invention .", "the characters in MOV have been freed from the formulas of fiction and set loose to live lives where they screw up , learn from their mistakes and bumble hopefully into the future .", "the small scale of the film is challenging on a big screen ; but the performances ... transcend that scope and make it a small story worth seeing .", "thoroughly modest in its means and ambition , MOV is one of the best pictures i 've seen all year .", "as cinema , it is n't much , but as a story , it 's enough to set the town hall buzzing .", "do n't expect this film to answer all the questions , but do n't be surprised if a few moviegoers call home afterward just to say , ` i love you . '", "by all means , seek out this jewel of a movie .", "MOV is one of the best movies you 're likely to see this year , or any other year , for that matter .", "one to see .", "one of the best american films of the year .", "this is a movie to cherish .", "lonergan shows us what our movies rarely do : real people suffering real pains and joys -- in the small , cluttered ways that real life mostly brings .", "a drama that embraces the ambiguities and contradictions of family ties and human nature in all its irrational glory .", "fashioned with ... remarkable economy and restraint .", "beautifully acted .", "lonergan serves his superb screenplay well .", "-lsb- lonergan 's -rsb- screenplay and direction are marvels of subtlety and nuance .", "with warm humor and perceptive writing , director kenneth lonergan displays a gift for creating realistic characters and a compelling story .", "gives us not so much a slice of reality as a big picture window , polished and gleaming , through which we can see things that matter .", "satisfying in every respect , it 's a piece of blue-collar chamber music , never treating the characters cheaply , allowing them a complex entwinement of emotions .", "a smart movie with a lot of love behind it .", "the only problem with this special film is its stark reminder of all the mediocrity other movies count on us to accept .", "lonergan has two exceptional leads to carry the film through its rough patches .", "this is a subtle , moving film , with great performances and a deceptively clever screenplay . i 'm not educated enough to do justice to the brilliance of this film .", "the key to lonergan 's success ? he has faith in the intelligence of his audience . it 's that simple -- and encouraging .", "works well at conveying complex familial relations", "MOV is the kind of good movie people say is n't made anymore .", "may not be the most imaginative filmmaking , and the plot may drift into a disappointingly conventional resolution , but the performances ... are beautifully pitched .", "an ensemble character piece , MOV counts on great performances , and linney , ruffalo , culkin and broderick deliver .", "offers as rich and satisfying an emotional experience as any film this year .", "a little movie concealing surprisingly big emotions .", "so naturalistic and enjoyable is the interplay among ruffalo , linney and culkin that you wish you could go look up terry and sammy after the closing credits and buy them a beer .", "tone , tact , balance , wit and charm given force by substance -- it 's rare to find that in a movie .", "kenneth lonergan ... has created a set of characters who slowly come to life before our eyes , imperfections , conflicts and all .", "ken lonergan adds just enough unpredictable dialogue and creativity to make this movie the real deal .", "superbly executed .", "what 's most important to lonergan is that we care what happens to his characters -- and we do , very much .", "if you see MOV , you can count on a good , emotionally satisfying experience .", "linney and ruffalo deliver wonderful performances .", "kenneth lonegran brings such authentic humanity to this relationship it would be hard to not feel a involved and invested in these people 's lives .", "it 's simply a quiet and heartbreaking look at the dynamics of one family . that 's the beauty of it .", "a surprising film that will reward patient viewers .", "a simple , beautiful story .", "completely engaging .", "one heck of a great film .", "i never thought i would say this , but i am starting to think that laura linney may , in fact , be a very good actress .", "this funny and involving film presents its well-drawn characters to us pretty much the way we would encounter them in life .", "gem of a movie .", "only a few minutes into it , and we feel like we 've known and cared about these people all of our lives .", "the cast is terrific and true .", "so timid and clumsy in its deployment of picture , sound , and editing that you have to wonder if executive producer martin scorsese bothered to give notes .", "in this modest but brilliant little movie , we find ourselves immersed in life itself .", "beautiful , compassionate , articulate .", "the characters are so likable and the situations so universal that you ca n't help but be won over by this low-key charmer .", "some of its best moments are so painfully familiar that their overall theatricality is easily forgiven ." ], "summary": "MOV may look like it belongs on the small screen , but the movie surprises with its simple yet affecting story . beautifully acted and crafted , the movie will simply draw you in .", "id": "13769" }, { "movie": "ip_man", "reviews": [ "MOV is a highly competent , even slick biopic , but by reshaping its protagonist 's life story towards cinematic convention , it ends up being just another martial arts movie .", "there 's a pleasingly old-fashioned air to all the flying drop-kicks and straight-finger jabs , even if it lacks the cinematic agility we have now come to expect from this kind of thing .", "the movie is clearly hagiographic , but this aspect and its general function as a martial arts movie are supported greatly by yen .", "first and foremost , MOV is an excuse for yen to demonstrate his newfound mastery of the wing chun style . on that front , the film succeeds brilliantly .", "the action is enthralling even if the storyline does n't always have the ring of truth about it .", "yip 's film benefits from crisp cinematography and an engaging ` seven samurai ' - style storyline , but it 's sammo hung 's superbly choreographed kick-ass fight scenes that dazzle .", "yen 's handful of duels do delight ; it 's everything surrounding them that feels tired and trite .", "legend trumps fact in MOV , a kickass fictionalized biopic of the titular grandmaster of wing chun martial arts and mentor to bruce lee .", "the astonishing fight scenes are some of the most exciting ever filmed in a martial arts movie that raises the bar for the genre . for any martial arts fan , `` MOV '' is mandatory viewing .", "it 's all quite conventional ... and nonetheless rousing .", "if you 're looking for great action scenes , you 've found them . but if you desire more than eye candy , such as character and plot development and historical accuracy , you 'll have to look elsewhere .", "as an exaggerated , myth-making martial-arts movie , MOV is often thrilling .", "it remains an inexplicable , contextless bit of kung fu historicosploitation -- albeit a very satisfying one .", "not only is it one of the most entertaining and exciting movies out of hong kong for many years ; MOV is a bona fide martial arts classic .", "a period piece filmed on obvious but eye-pleasing studio sets with wall-to-wall kung fu and a simplistic , philosophical message .", "an explosive exercise in bare-knuckled myth-biography .", "first-rate martial-arts film about bruce lee 's real-life teacher .", "the fanboys and girls wo n't notice such failings amid the displays of wing chun kung fu -- the extras and body doubles do some truly impressive acrobatics -- and those with a taste for big historical tearjerkers will be happy as well .", "a dazzling , exhilarating , refreshingly character-driven and thoroughly captivating experience that must be seen on the big screen . it 's unlike any martial arts film you 've seen before .", "wilson yip has crafted a gripping , rousing , beautifully structured yarn , built around a calm but charismatic star performance by donnie yen and magnificent action sequences choreographed by the legendary sammo hung .", "a terrific true story , clearly elevated to mythical proportions , this film benefits hugely from the lucid fight direction by the master sammo hung , which gives the film a remarkable resonance .", "a respectful biopic designed to pay cinematic homage to one of the great kung-fu masters and spread the word about the man .", "the film 's hagiographical simplicity makes the rocky movies look profound , but this is still a spirited tale with excellent martial-arts scenes .", "an enthralling , and at times moving , tale , told by hong kong action director wilson yip with considerable theatrical flourish .", "man 's extraordinary biography makes for an awkward , inauthentic-feeling biopic ." ], "summary": "at once beholden to the established conventions of the genre and delightfully subversive of them , MOV is one of the most exciting -- and refreshingly character-driven -- martial arts films in years .", "id": "770801544" }, { "movie": "the_diving_bell_and_the_butterfly_2007", "reviews": [ "thanks to bauby 's courageous and honest writing , and schnabel 's poetic interpretation , what could have been a portrait of impotence and suffering becomes a lively exploration of consciousness and a soaring ode to liberation .", "qualifies as a masterpiece of sensual cinema and poetic subjectivity .", "it 's a haunting , emotional experience that ranks with the best of the year .", "here is the life force at its most insistent , lashing out against fate with stubborn resolve . and also with lust , hunger , humor and all of the other notes that this man once played so easily .", "if a movie about the human spirit does n't do it for you , the diving bell thoroughly doubles as a movie about the cinematic spirit .", "MOV tells one extraordinary man 's story so well that it reflects vividly on our own .", "... transcends the sappy trappings thanks to schnabel 's adventurous , virtuoso direction .", "it is wonderful : a rhapsodic adaptation of a memoir , a visual marvel that wraps its subject in screen romanticism without romanticizing his affliction .", "julian schnabel 's telling of the story is ingenious .", "dazzling visually .", "the most successful of schnabel 's encounters with cinema to date .", "there is something cinematic about bauby 's situation . like the moviegoer stuck in a seat in the dark , he can only observe the action in front of him . his comments are unheard by the people who move before his eyes and attempt to manipulate his emotions .", "for optimists , it 's a movie proving that where there 's life , there 's hope . yet for others , seeing that there 's no chance for recovery , this is a real life horror story .", "the repetitive nature of the screenplay drags a potentially great 80 minute picture way down .", "one of the most challenging films in the recent memory ... however , it 's definitely worth it to stick with the film .", "this is the second best films of 2007 and by far the most moving .", "a striking depiction of human courage .", "MOV is ... a sensational cinematic canvas created by a man who understands the inherent beauty in form , function , and now filmmaking .", "an almost excessively beautiful aestheticization of misery .", "the unique pov is not a gimmicky technique but a transferring of creative responsibility .", "boasting a beautiful , surreal-like style , this biopic of elle 's paralyzed editor continues schnabel 's exploration of misfit artists , begun in basquiat and continued in before night falls .", "an arresting true story and a ravishing visual creation , but the two remain separate entities that do not support one another but get in each other 's way instead .", "a deeply affecting film .", "MOV transcends the uplifting movie-of-the-week story through schnabel 's artful direction and deep empathy .", "this uncommon story about an uncommon man is gentle , it is patient , it is compassionate and -- from a technical standpoint -- it is stunning .", "screenwriter ronald harwood turns this first person novel into an intensely first person movie . there are times when it seems impossible that a camera could even be present , the surroundings are so perfectly interior to a man . amazing .", "-lsb- a -rsb- s intellectually gripping as it is emotionally compelling ...", "lingers long after the lights come up . we can be grateful that films of quiet , unique beauty continue to be made .", "while the result is a stirring homage to the power of imagination , memory and the human spirit , it is also an insightful approximation of the creative process itself .", "taking us from great depths to ethereal heights , this extraordinary true story is an inspiring reinforcement of inextinguishable inner strength and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity", "in spite of the rawness the film 's subject , schnabel wisely did n't create a weepy -- far from it . this is a film about a flawed womanizer with little time for his children who comes to face himself by the vehicle of his own memoir .", "a poignant reflection on what it means to be alive and , visually , a true cinematic experience .", "... it is infused with bauby 's sarcastic sense of humor and engages us with questions of what makes a life worth living .", "with the help of cinematographer janusz kaminski , director julian schnabel goes so far toward cinematically capturing the claustrophobic condition of his paralyzed and mute protagonist jean-dominique bauby -lrb- mathieu amalric -rrb- that the artifice of his point -", "most compelling in its attempts to re-create the experience of paralysis onscreen , gorgeously lensed pic morphs into a dreamlike collage of memories and fantasies , distancing the viewer somewhat from bauby 's consciousness .", "director julian schnabel and screenwriter ronald harwood have performed a small miracle in adapting for the screen jean-dominique bauby 's autobiography MOV .", "steadfastly avoids reducing the notions of perseverance and heroism to convenient catchphrases .", "it is a testament to schnabel 's skill and the power of metaphor that he was able to fabricate a film of such universal relevance from the life of a man whose situation was unique .", "in his brilliant new film , MOV , painter/sculptor/director schnabel -lrb- basquiat , before night falls -rrb- defies dozens of moviemaking conventions to tell the true story of jean-dominique bauby .", "it is amazing that a story as sad as this one inherently is could be so uplifting , but that 's exactly what it is .", "it 's a subject and a film that perfectly blends the tragic with the triumphant .", "the magnificence of bauby 's accomplishment as an author is reflected , shimmering strangely , by a film that awakens a trapped life with the kind of poetry only the camera can write .", "it 's an unthinkable fate , but schnabel 's film manages both to give us a palpable sense of it and to lead us to appreciate the humanity of it . in that sense , it 's a tale of triumph .", "the results are emotionally charged but not manipulative .", "you do n't want to blink : you wo n't want to miss a second of it .", "bauby , harwood and schnabel are probably the only people who 'll be our guides on a journey like this , and better ones could not be found .", "in MOV , director julian schnabel and his gifted lead , mathieu amalric , take us on an indelible tour through the highest and lowest points of the human experience .", "yes , it 's in french and it 's arty -lrb- in good ways -rrb- - but i promise you wo n't have a more viscerally emotional experience at the movies this year .", "of all the movies generating award buzz this season , MOV was the most surprising to me and perhaps the most special .", "the film is certainly rich in imagery , and its immersion into the subjective is a daringly successful conceit , but it never quite pulls all the pieces together .", "movies are a lot more than a bunch of pictures , no matter how ravishing , and the strong cast is key here , especially the three women who dominate bauby 's life .", "what 's fascinating is that it is the very restrictions the story imposes on a director that allow schnabel to turn it into such an eerie stunner of a movie .", "-lsb- schnabel is -rsb- drawn to the plight of the imagination struggling against limits , and bauby 's beckett-like extremity has inspired his best film to date and the best film of the year .", "una pel\u00edcula realmente conmovedora que logra trasladar a hermosas y sugestivas im\u00e1genes la experiencia real de un hombre paralizado f\u00edsica aunque no mentalmente .", "the picture is so beautiful to look at that it 's practically buoyant .", "triumph of the human spirit to the miramax , predictable in its crowd-pleasing , middlebrow vulgarity but with a few inventive , free-floating passages", "an inventive , challenging , at times emotionally bracing film , audaciously staged and laudably anti-clich\u00e9d in its character particulars , yet destined to be more admired than beloved .", "julian schnabel and cinematographer janusz kaminski fundamentally retool the template for the biopic to create one of the greatest portrayals of the mind 's eye ever put to film . a discomforting but inspiring struggle for one enduring , final expression .", "unlike last year 's acclaimed film , ` the sea inside , ' this film does not follow the path to suicide , but rather to a triumph of sorts .", "paralyzing to watch . at times , you 're just as frustrated as bauby ; you want him to communicate , you want other people to understand what he is thinking , and above all , you want him to pull through it .", "an exquisite metaphor for the redemptive power of cinema . without an ounce of cheap sentiment , this true story is as profoundly moving and dreamily beautiful as any film in recent memory .", "you 've heard of my left foot . are you ready for my left eyeball ?", "feeling reduced now to a `` zombie , '' denied what he most wants , sensual pleasures and connections , bauby is angry and grateful at once . that gap is the movie 's most affecting dilemma , unresolved by its many aesthetic effects .", "with breathtaking sentiment , the film masterfully shows how bauby was able to write the perfect final chapter of his life .", "the movie 's small powerful moments are worth more than the entirety of your average noble-sufferer weepie .", "... a film about a stranded man that bustles with vigorous energy , an exploration of the oceans inside human consciousness .", "we never sympathize with bauby , because , for much of the film , we are him .", "while introducing artistic elements that border on fanciful , the filmmakers also insist on realism , resulting in a film that is always relatable , never sappy .", "tough to watch ? sure . worth it ? absolutely . perhaps the most inspiring film in many years .", "beautiful , sometimes ecstatic , sometimes blurry , sometimes mournful ...", "julian schnabel deftly sidesteps all the traps inherent in the illness movie genre , creating a stirring movie about a man 's emotional awakening that takes its immobile protagonist on a journey from boyhood to infinity .", "like bauby 's memoir , schnabel and academy award-winning screenwriter ronald harwood 's adaptation is far from a mushy exercise in never-say-die optimism -- it 's suffused with bauby 's terror and bitterness .", "the film , based on the memoir of jean-dominique bauby , handles delicate subject matter with sensitivity and imagination .", "it is the 2000 belgian drama thomas est amoureux that is really the closest in spirit to schnabel and screenwriter ronald harwood 's masterpiece .", "the movie has done what those who 've cherished the book might have thought impossible -- intensified its singular beauty by roving as free and fearlessly as bauby 's mind did .", "with MOV , julian schnabel demonstrates his own imaginative freedom in every frame and sequence .", "an inspiring tale of one man 's triumph over adversity often devolves into a cinematic clich\u00e9 , more earnest than truly moving . thankfully , diving bell avoids those pitfalls .", "the survival of the human spirit against almost insurmountable odds is nowhere illustrated more clearly than in MOV .", "a film of rare imagination ; a collage of unnerving images and great artistry .", "MOV would seem to be the last word in affliction movies . but it goes against that movie formula at every turn and proves to be a unique experience .", "MOV is n't about feeling better about terrible things , but about cherishing imagination as the force that sustains life .", "may well be the best movie of the year .", "it is a masterwork on both an artistic and emotional level .", "a film that haunts and inspires .", "there are some heartbreaking and gut-wrenching scenes , but they 're balanced with beautiful moments and the fact that jean-do never loses his sense of humor .", "MOV may be the most unusual movie experience of the year . and it 's unquestionably one of the best .", "the film is a triumph of empathy .", "left me wondering if schnabel 's arty efforts were really worth the trouble when the real-life story itself was so moving and did n't need such artificial gloss .", "the sea inside meets my left foot .", "not a movie that you shake off easily -- maybe ever -- and one that makes you want to go out and gulp down every ounce of life you can squeeze into your glass .", "the film is a visual and auditory feast .", "the visual lyricism and irascible humor of julian schnabel 's screen adaptation make for a life-against-the-odds drama like none you 've ever seen .", "the putative film adaptation reaches well beyond the contents of that book , expanding its philosophical resignation into a grim but beautiful visual poem .", "butterfly colors inside the lines but it does so with a dandy sense of personal rhythm .", "diving bell , though uncompromising in its own way , comes across as aggressively watchable .", "a small-scale film on a grand-sized canvas : director julian schnabel and his cinematographer , janusz kaminski , meet the challenge of adapting ... bauby 's 1997 memoir .", "astonishingly beautiful and self-consciously so .", "MOV is the most beautiful movie ever made about a man who could only move one eyelid -- almost dangerously beautiful .", "less cloying and superficial than other movies of its subgenre and directed with true showman 's flair .", "even if schnabel 's films utilize a rolodex as burgeoning as their film 's visual inventiveness , they still do so playfully and with a sense of the fun of moviemaking that so few films of similar lineage display .", "a classic in the literature of illness brought to the screen with all its creative juices intact , the film salutes the firepower of imagination as a life-giver and a life-sustainer .", "a claustrophobic and imaginative treat .", "by delivering bauby 's story in an appropriately straightforward tone , the filmmakers behind `` MOV '' prove that engaging stories work best without artificial sweetening .", "an astonishing , deeply moving film , schnabel 's third film is also his masterpiece , thanks to extraordinary direction , stunning camerawork , a terrific script and an oscar-worthy central performance from amalric .", "by turns terrifying and humane and even funny .", "the remarkable story of a man almost totally incapacitated who creates a best-seller by blinking his left eye is about the creation of art as much as it is the tale of human tragedy .", "... a film that 's as emotionally devastating as it is engrossing .", "a textbook example of a director prizing himself over his material .", "engaging , moving , and even has a good message , but it 's also a film that slips in the follow through .", "this genius collaboration between director of photography janusz kaminski and schnabel immerses you in bauby 's situation so that it becomes your reality .", "a remarkably fluent and genuinely uplifting picture about a paralyzed man ... no solemn , calculating tearjerker but a marvelously rich and fluid evocation .", "one terrifying scene involves the sewing up of bauby 's paralyzed eye . he can still out of it but ca n't blink to lubricate it . the scene 's as scary as anything in a horror film .", "while the diving bell is based on bauby 's elegant , well-wrought words , -lsb- director julian -rsb- schnabel 's film is so steeped in the visual that it is surely the purest of cinema .", "the style feels utterly organic ... rigorous yet unforced , always giving the sense that this is not only the best way , but the only way , to tell this particular story .", "director julian schnabel uses his skill as a painter to assemble a collage of fantastical images to reveal the exquisite physical wreck that bauby has become .", "profoundly moving .", "it would be inhuman not to empathize with the actual man 's plight , but the movie is a sophisticated prod , pushing us inside its own bauby .", "-lsb- director julian -rsb- schnabel is n't going anywhere astounding in this film ; it is , after all , about a man who ca n't move . but he is exploring the vast potential of both imagination and spirit .", "MOV keeps opening up , its structure mimicking the awakening of its extraordinary protagonist 's mind .", "tells a real person 's life story so inventively you might forget how rotten recent biopics have been .", "-lsb- director schnabel 's -rsb- best film yet , a high-wire act of visual daring and unquenchable spirit .", "a gloriously unlocked experience , with some of the freest and most creative uses of the camera and some of the most daring , cruel , and heartbreaking emotional explorations that have appeared in recent movies .", "the film is a masterpiece in which `` locked-in '' syndrome becomes the human condition .", "stylistically engrossing and compassionate , it 's a testament to the indomitable human spirit .", "astonishingly lyrical and profoundly moving .", "the film , aided by amalric 's pitch-perfect performance , reveals the range of jean-do 's emotional life , his anger , joy and wry humor .", "every once in a while , a movie comes along that has the power to change your life -- or , at least , make you feel grateful for the one that you have .", "it is a work of art , with no apologies for that word .", "this is a special motion picture that achieves its higher agenda of doing much more than idly plucking at a few heartstrings .", "an intense , maddening , claustrophobic and awesomely inspiring film .", "from its relentless visual distortion to its wearying parade of felliniesque fantasy sequences , schnabel 's film wants you to know that it 's art with a capital ` a. ' it 's also disability porn with a capital 'd . '", "imagine a spike jonze-charlie kauffman-michel gondry-style film but with a warm , beating heart instead of cool , detached hipster irony .", "schnabel 's visuals are so confident , so moving , that i wished he had truly taken charge rather than being led around by a screenplay that ca n't cut the mustard .", "the sea inside by way of lady in the lake .", "haunting and gorgeous .", "as close to perfection as you 'll get for a movie dealing with a subject matter that might seem impossible to handle in an entertaining way .", "by the end , MOV achieves a victory over difficult material , but celebrating that fact does n't preclude recognizing the story is not a natural for movies and remains an uneasy match .", "... kind of film that surprises you when the credits roll .", "within ten minutes the film had effortlessly knocked the chip from my shoulder . this is a very , very good film .", "-lsb- director julian -rsb- schnabel has an alert , imaginative and unsentimental cinematic eye .", "as a writer , i admire it greatly ... as a moviegoer i 'm less certain about the movie 's effectiveness .", "the film is so stuffed with visual poetry and moving turns of phrase that it practically takes flight .", "reveals that the human capacity for life , for love , and even for joy is not dependent on circumstances , but is embedded in something far deeper and far more spiritual .", "while punishing to watch at times , it 's something you ca n't quite keep your eyes off of .", "bauby 's horrific situation , and the purposefully muted reactions of the people around him ... speak for themselves with spare eloquence .", "in a perfect match of director and subject , artist julian schnabel adapts the memoir by late elle editor jean-dominique bauby into a compelling and intense look at one man 's experience with locked-in syndrome .", "screenwriter ronald harwood has cracked a book largely thought unfilmable and director julian schnabel working with dp janusz kaminski has created a uniquely visual film about one of the most difficult movie subgenres , the biography of an author .", "nothing in director julian schnabel 's career so far has anticipated the sweetness , sadness , maturity and restraint of this lovely movie .", "how does an actor act when he can use only one eye ? you 'll have to see the film to find out , but rest assured that there are sufficient flashbacks to give the remarkable mathieu amalric a chance to use the usual actor 's tools as well .", "MOV is one of the best movies of 2007 , but i 'd argue it 's also the one most in tune with what this season of goodwill and tolerance is supposed to be all about .", "an emotional tour de force that is simply stunning all around .", "the camera techniques used actually give the audience just a hint of what it must be like to live with a fully aware mind , and one working eye .", "diving bell is modishly slick , visually inventive and vaguely immaterial but ultimately moving because , well , how could it not be ?", "um testamento profundamente tocante da for\u00e7a do esp\u00edrito humano .", "delves into the horrific destiny and triumphant creative , if not physical struggle of this french celebrity , whose stroke left him completely paralyzed save for interior silent monologues , and the furiously blinking eye of this ill-fated ravaged cyclops .", "amalric 's performance is selfless and accomplished .", "thanks to wonderful direction , editing , and cinematography , schnabel convinces us of this perspective with a stroke of brilliance ...", "after i recovered from my initial horror , i was almost able to enjoy the experience of watching this discomfiting , entirely unique narrative .", "the best parts of the film are when the two men work together , schnabel providing reams of unconscious images and amalric commenting on them .", "with the help of brilliant french actor mathieu amalric , spielberg 's longtime cinematographer janusz kaminski , and screenwriter ronald harwood , schnabel has made a marvelous film that uses images with as much grace and flair as bauby used words ." ], "summary": "breathtaking visuals and dynamic performances make MOV a powerful biopic .", "id": "770672126" }, { "movie": "freaky_friday", "reviews": [ "curtis and lohan shine in their roles , bringing layers of comedy , drama , romance and , yes , sentiment just when needed most .", "MOV may be insubstantial , but what 's there is remarkably watchable .", "no academy awards here , but thanks largely to jamie lee curtis it provides a good time .", "extremely enjoyable , sharply scripted family comedy with superb comic performances .", "it 's cute , and jamie lee curtis is wonderful as always , but this disney remake just is n't funny enough . take your family , not your critical sensibilities .", "updated and overly sexed , this remake is heavy on the set-up and light on laughs .", "a funny and energetic body-swap comedy , with a nicely warm and sympathetic approach .", "despite the awful history of parent/child switching movies , MOV strikes gold with funny , first-rate performances from jamie lee curtis and lindsay lohan .", "aside from the awkwardness of having the lohan-aged boy interest fall for her in curtis ' appearance , MOV remains a squeaky-clean generic romp ...", "it 's a conventional but pleasantly cosy remake of the 1976 jodie foster body-swap comedy . and in the oldest tradition of disney moviemaking , you can be sure of a few life lessons thrown in between the laughs .", "` creaky friday ' is more like it ... at its best the movie is no more than an amusingly retrograde retread of an idea that 's been done all too frequently on the screen .", "blame freaky screenwriters heather hach and leslie dixon for the yellow-peril fantasies , and instead curl up with rodgers 's novel and its sequel , a billion for boris , which remain eminently enjoyable today .", "as assured a screwball comedy as hollywood has made in decades .", "pretty darned funny .", "curtis and lohan are so clearly enjoying themselves that they are fun to watch and the story moves along so briskly that its logical flaws barely get in the way .", "in a year that has tortured us with such family movie duds as a family affair , the in-laws and spy kids : 3-d , this film is positively welcome .", "the freakiest thing about MOV is that it does n't suck .", "MOV is motion picture cotton candy -- sweet while it lasts , easily disposed of , and insubstantial .", "directed at an almost breathless pace by mark waters , the movie leans heavily on the comedic skills of curtis and lohan , both of whom are wonderful .", "such a sublimely fun-for-all matinee delight that it cleansed my palate of the sour taste of every bad movie i 've seen this summer .", "the morals of the story are presented with a degree of craftiness generally unseen in most modern-day family flicks , and there 's a refreshing lack of push-button pablum that one normally sees in movies of this sort .", "a lightweight but occasionally clever comedy that surprisingly treats its premise as more than a punch line - and does it with a big heart .", "waters seems to have a knack for creating families on the edge", "another likable -- if predictable -- disney retread .", "this is not a bad remake at all . updating this story to the current day only shows how relevant the concept was to begin with .", "it 's a movie that gets by on a lot of charm from its two leads , but it also has a nice message about selfless acts of love for a family member in need . a perfect summertime outing for parents and their children .", "the best of all the many body-switching offerings - and it 's by disney no less ! go figure .", "` thanks to some decently staged , opposites-based comedy scenes and those finely nuanced performances by lohan and particularly curtis , this effort overcomes a shaky and less than promising start to emerge as an entertaining winner . '", "curtis slinks back toward adolescence , then grooves on it as the regenerated hormones start kicking in .", "does n't offer much in the way of new insights into this most peculiar of subgenres .", "one of summer 's better surprises .", "a sitcom formula film that tries too hard .", "it 's a gimmick that 's been adapted or copied countless times , but director mark waters fills the screen with color and the soundtrack with punky songs .", "-lsb- a -rsb- delightful movie .", "while it 's a perfectly competent and affable film , the new version does n't have anything to prompt much enthusiasm .", "this third version of MOV gets it right .", "MOV triumphs by successfully striking comic notes when it could be making loud screeching noises .", "what could have been another teen/tween knockoff is transformed by curtis , who puts her venerable , classy mug right in front of the camera .", "when it comes to light , kiddie fare , you could do a lot worse . and compared with the original MOV , the remake is a freakin ' masterpiece .", "a showcase for the buoyant , antic spirit of jamie lee curtis .", "a lot funnier than most movies you 're currently watching at the cineplex .", "a fast and funny movie .", "frantic fun", "there 's enough intelligence and wit here to sustain your interest , especially when curtis and lohan are in peak form .", "plays the obvious gags in ways both surprising and imaginative .", "MOV is warm-hearted without being treacly , and a comic delight without delving into cloying theatrics . it also happens to be one of the summer 's most refreshing cinematic delights .", "good fun , with a timeless generational understanding theme tossed in for good measure .", "this is a warm , charming and entertaining movie that took me by surprise .", "somehow people have got it into their heads that this is a good movie .", "MOV is fun for kids , teens and parents alike .", "offers enough all-around entertainment for most any teen , or even adult , to appreciate through its quick 90-minute run .", "it 's meant to be a fun kid 's movie , and it 's a must see for mothers and daughters .", "i now understand why i 've had to sit through all the truly awful movies i 've seen this summer . the almighty was preparing me for MOV .", "... hardly a classic -- neither was the original -- -lsb- but -rsb- good-natured enough that you 'll be willing overlook the terrible chinese accents and the obligatory smarmy speeches .", "' ... jamie lee curtis and lindsay lohan get their freak on with a sublime synchronicity that matches the original . '", "it 's not as good as the 1976 original , but it 's still a lot of fun and i think adults and kids will enjoy it .", "disney 's new MOV may be a remake , but it ripples with far more creative zeal than this summer 's slew of uninventive sequels , which are basically remakes in themselves .", "MOV is a most pleasant summer surprise , a funny and sweet family comedy .", "director mark waters and first-time screenwriter heather hach have given a fresh sensibility to an oft-told fable of walking in another 's shoes .", "watching curtis gently cut loose is one of the low-key pleasures of the winsome generational comedy MOV .", "has plenty of good one-liners and laughable situations .", "MOV is blandness personified .", "an unexpected delight .", "MOV is disney 's best comedy in years .", "freaky features plenty of visual distractions , including flashy , funky outfits , accessories and music .", "cute , energetic and fun .", "deliciously acted and good-humored to its core , it 's one of the summer 's very best surprises .", "MOV is a snappy comedy that hits the mark with its wry observations on youth and middle age ; in addition it salutes empathy as a bridge-building virtue .", "should thank god for its female leads , who provide enough comedic energy to carry a week 's worth of body-switch movies .", "remade disney flick charms with loose comedy , unforced heart and two fab female leads .", "spiffy and thoroughly charming .", "comedies rarely get respect ... but these two ladies do some extraordinary acting , and that deserves to be recognized .", "through solid acting , careful pacing and strong writing , MOV never condescends , simply because it 's not a meticulously handled shot at one demographic .", "fleet and funny ,", "curtis ' and lohan 's performances are unpredictable and inspired , much fresher than the movie they 're stuck in .", "mildly entertaining .", "jamie lee makes this movie sparkle .", "the movie is laugh - out-loud funny and surprisingly touching .", "watching curtis rock out is very nearly worth the price of admission .", "jamie lee curtis gives good , goofy fun in this affable remake of a remake .", "the trailers were terrible . the poster is even worse . but the movie ? not so bad .", "MOV pulls off the unexpected and offers one of the best family-friendly comedies in a summer that is rife with family movies .", "sweet , if predictable .", "director mark waters whips up a sweet and thoroughly modern version of the '70s movie that caters to young adults without being crass .", "this movie is entertaining and charming , it may be as unexpected as waking up in your mother 's / daughter 's body .", "the movie 's predictability takes little away from its fizzy entertainment value .", "... a minor treasure : a family-friendly remake funnier , fresher and more affecting than the flavorless original .", "the remake of MOV is pretty freakin ' good .", "how a remake should be done .", "-lsb- MOV -rsb- delivers scenes we can anticipate , but with more charm and wit than we expect .", "i 'll bet my dvd collection that barely anyone 's ire will be raised over the insensitivity shown to asians in MOV . it deserves to be greeted with a fair degree of disgust .", "... `` MOV '' comes through .", "the ideal remake -- funny , good-hearted and loaded with genuine charms of its own .", "although the role reversal genre has been done to death , snaps to MOV for unearthing plenty of fresh laughs .", "stories about role reversals are usually about teaching both sides a lesson in humility and appreciation . here , all the lessons are for frumpy adults who 've forgotten about rock and roll .", "a rousing good time .", "the light and breezy comedy works very well for the most part , and the film 's emotional climax is surprisingly powerful .", "i 'm forced to hold back my usual criticisms when the end product turns out to be actually pretty darn good .", "a pop-punk re-up of the lively , amusing 1976 disney original that stands as a credibly entertaining family film due chiefly to the presence of its two deft , personable comediennes .", "for dumb movies about body-to-body switcheroos -lrb- a frighteningly well-represented comedy sub-genre -rrb- this disney remake is pretty darn good .", "a one trick pony .", "at the film 's end , i realized i had completely escaped into the fantasy and comedy laid out before me for 90 minutes . now , any movie that can do that is doing something very right indeed .", "the old switcheroo still has the juice to teach and tickle .", "thanks to the inventive performances , smooth direction by mark waters and fresh script ideas by heather hach and leslie dixon , it actually has something to offer since the 1977 original .", "-lsb- the -rsb- filmmakers actually manage to improve on creaky material .", "in happily embracing its contrivances , -lsb- the movie -rsb- proves mildly diverting .", "good , wholesome fun with no pretense .", "wise but not too preachy , warm but never snuggly , it 's also one of the funniest films this year .", "despite the film 's oversimplification and occasional lapses of logic , one ca n't help being charmed by its genuinely sweet , good-hearted approach .", "no need to wait till friday , this one 's good any day of the week .", "nothing 's really wrong here , but nor are there surprises .", "cute and innocently funny , with engaging turns from a beautifully silly curtis , and lindsay lohan as a 21st century high school heroine .", "surprisingly decent .", "mother-daughter switch is fun comedic chaos .", "what should have been a bland disney remake has somehow ended up as the most satisfying family comedy for a long time .", "a fun , very well-acted and laugh out loud funny remake .", "the film 's strong suit is the fish-out-of-water generational gags , and director mark s. waters does well to keep them coming at a rapid-fire rate .", "the two featured females offset these distractions by having so much apparent fun that it becomes contagious .", "maybe it 's only adults who 'll get teary-eyed -- kids just wan na have fun . and they will .", "a hilarious , heartwarming remake .", "the premise provides a fine showcase for the two appealing actresses , who appropriate each other 's vocal and physical mannerisms with dead-on accuracy .", "cheerful , energetic and on the money .", "it 's really a family film , deftly updated for the 2003 market , but still sweetly funny at its heart .", "freaky , yes . and it 's also frantic and fun .", "it 's the playful jamie lee curtis who makes this movie . a rare time where the remake is better than the original !", "-lsb- curtis is -rsb- wonderfully silly , but the rest of it is mostly forgettable .", "it 's always great to see a good actress at work . with disney 's remake of 1976 's MOV , audiences get to see two of them .", "wryly funny enough for adults and zany enough for little kids .", "a likable but flimsy retread that 's barely worth the effort .", "the material here may not be the freshest , but screenwriters heather hach and the redoubtable leslie dixon have buffed the dialogue until it sparkles like the finest cubic zirconium , and the cast is game from top to bottom .", "a pleasant surprise .", "it 's refreshing to find a quaint comedy extolling the virtues of thoughtful consideration and selfless love this pleasantly entertaining .", "moms and their teenage daughters have struggled for centuries to connect . bridging that yawning chasm is the yin and yang of this cheerful , well-executed charmer .", "MOV is a fun family film , with all generations ' foibles presented in equal measure .", "-lsb- i -rsb- t took me by surprise how affectionate i felt toward the characters .", "completely satisfying , entirely unsurprising , and says all there is to say about itself by the fact of itself .", "jamie lee curtis and lindsay lohan have a ball portraying a mother and daughter who are forced to swap bodies in this surprisingly entertaining remake .", "-lsb- MOV is -rsb- lighthearted summer fun and nothing gets blown up and no one gets shot .", "who 'd have thought that a wholesome comedy could entertain adults as much as their kids ?", "after a summer filled to the brim with lousy sequels and toothless action movies , there 's something incredibly refreshing about a movie like MOV .", "a funny , shrewd , no-bull family comedy .", "the two actors effortlessly pull off the feat of depicting an alien inside the wrong body -- you immediately believe that this switch really happened .", "someone actually sat down and thought about this .", "i laughed long , hard , loud and often ." ], "summary": "jamie lee curtis and lindsay lohan charm in mark waters ' nicely pitched -- and disney 's second -- remake of the 1976 hit .", "id": "10349" }, { "movie": "real_steel", "reviews": [ "will sylvester stallone receive residuals from MOV ?", "delivers a powerful dramatic punch without ever feeling like it needs to dumb itself down to win over its audience .", "the element that lingers longest is a subtle strand ... of recessionary anxiety .", "MOV is my kind of action movie . the story is engaging , the characters are fun and the robots are freaking cool .", "the movie really comes to life during the marvelous boxing sequences , which are often drop-dead exciting .", "a toy tie-in , an overlong movie that takes on some of the grimy veneer and colorful characters of a `` boxing picture , '' sanitizing it for children .", "MOV is a well-made , well-managed family fighting fantasy that combines high tech and low aspirations to go the distance in fairly lightweight fashion .", "the robots punch all the problems out of this story .", "-lsb- it 's -rsb- a big , expensive-looking entertainment masquerading as a modest , straightforward one , and sometimes the illusion works .", "MOV is definitely worth checking out . if you like robots or hugh jackman , you 're going to really enjoy this movie . it has ended up being one of my favorite movies of the year .", "atom is complimented by a ringside announcer for displaying a fighting style that 's `` almost human . '' this is about the highest praise the mechanistic , spare-parts melodrama of MOV deserves .", "only those with a heart of tin could resist .", "feels as if it were made inside the mind of a kid obsessed with robots .", "MOV is a cross between rocky and the champ . it 's formulaic and unashamedly manipulative , but it 's played with sincerity ... and it works ...", "what it lacks is the human element . charlie is more of a rat than a rascal , and instead of working hard to build and operate his robots , he 's literally going through the motions .", "it 's so virtual , so distant from the thrill , that you wonder what the point is . do you really want to pay to watch an actor playing a kid who in turn plays what amounts to a video game ?", "a slightly soggy tale of father-son bonding , crossed with an action-adventure flick about high-tech battle-bots .", "the story remains sadly mired in botdom , which leads to some boredom .", "strong production values and another charismatic performance by triple-threat talent hugh jackman help keep this heavy-metal offspring of rocky and transformers out of the cinematic junk heap .", "little more than a loud and glossy collection of faintly rusty pieces-parts salvaged from movies that came before it .", "it 's 10 percent lovable underdog hokum , 23 percent sentimental family drama and 67 percent rivet-popping punch-ups .", "its remote-controlled emotional responses leave little room for genuine uplift .", "think of MOV as robot rocky with a heartfelt father/son overlay and you ca n't go wrong .", "MOV is simply made for imax viewing , especially with the metal-verses-metal clashes in the ring .", "better than transformers . i fear that if i lower the bar any further , i shall pinch my toes .", "the script does n't do enough with the father-son element to keep us involved , and the cgi robot fights are n't sufficiently exciting to make us care about the rest", "even with my sense of humor firmly intact , i 'm not sure that i 've seen a more crassly manipulative movie this year . as cold and calculating as movies get -- a glossy , soulless piece of junk that wants you to cheer along , but it does n't earn one ounce .", "hugh jackman refuses to let audiences leave MOV without being entertained , no matter how silly matters get .", "battling to be heard above the metal-on-metal clangour is a heartwarming -lrb- read : terribly soppy -rrb- story of a broken family .", "this is a ridiculous movie . and yet , i enjoyed the hell out it . not just because hugh jackman is in it . in imax . though that does n't hurt .", "there 's a certain poverty of imagination at work .", "levy 's flick is cohesive and mostly enjoyable ... a shame that goyo nearly undoes all the film 's good work by being super-irritating -lrb- his hip-hop dance routine with the robot is a low point ; not just in the movie , but in all of our lives -rrb- .", "the father-son narrative is given as much prominence as the muscular action story , giving the film a satisfying and entertaining tone - with a payoff", "although the marketing looks like transformers 4 , MOV is the real deal , a rocky with robots that ought to have audiences standing up and cheering .", "a father-son family yarn that shares the same sweet sentiment as the recent crazy , stupid , love : that the best things in life are far from free - or easy - to obtain .", "a tremendous technical polish is brought to bear upon what is frequently a rather awkward grafting of family drama and overblown , futuristic boxing tale .", "although the film is only marginally better than the average feel-good sports drama , it hits the right notes almost every time .", "MOV is real junk - megamillion-dollar , computer-animated , state-of-the-art junk .", "it 's hard to buy into the notion that fans could ever be as rabid to watch a couple of machines tear each other apart as they are to see two men sweating and straining and bleeding on the canvas . without human consequence , where 's the drama ?", "director shawn levy pulls everything together beautifully and jackman triumphs again", "hugh jackman is the only reason to see this picture , which is essentially a retro , old-fashioned father-son melodrama .", "-lsb- MOV -rsb- borrows so much from other films that it might better be titled reel steal : not only from the champ , but from rocky , the transformers movies and even some star wars .", "you 've probably seen toy commercials that present a more thoughtful dystopian future . and yet , in the moment , this film will make you want to do nothing except stuff your face with more .", "it was so cheesy , i was ready to call it a feast of fromage . yet , amazingly , shockingly , in defiance of everything i hold dear , MOV did n't stink .", "given that it 's a story about a father and son who bond over outsized games of rock 'em sock 'em robots and is directed by the guy who made the night at the museum movies , MOV has surprising heart and intelligence .", "the fighting ` bots deliver an exuberance of spirit that beats down the leaden human drama . and given all the borrowed storylines , should n't it be called real , um , steal ?", "handcrafted for the 8-year-old video game junkie inside us all , MOV is an overloaded , underthought empowerment fantasy with a bright shiny chassis and a lemon under the hood .", "rocky sock 'em robots anyone ?", "a bit more enjoyable and entertaining than i would have ever imagined . -lrb- movie review for parents also available -rrb-", "ridiculous at times , but always entertaining and fun .", "while the sappy boy-and-his-robot drama pales next to the terrific `` the iron giant , '' the actual ` bot battles are vicarious fun .", "hugh jackman and dakota goyo manage to pull off the father-son redemption story amid all the visual effects . and , oh yeah , the robots look awesome .", "big , dumb , but certainly fun .", "i do n't like fighting robot movies .", "` i was the only boxer who knew every song to rodgers & hammerstein 's carousel and had my own tommy tune tribute band , ' said hugh jackman , whose career has taken him from wolverine to glucosamine .", "the explosive punches of the metallic trojans would count for nothing were it not for the performance of one little boy .", "MOV has the kind of joyful silliness of a film like face/off or mission impossible , coupled with a good dose of genuine heart .", "a heavily clich\u00e9d but nonetheless enjoyably feel-good drama that pushes all the right buttons , thanks to a decent script , some impressive special effects and winning performances from hugh jackman and newcomer dakota goyo .", "taking the best from `` transformers/rocky/the champ '' makes `` MOV '' the real deal .", "watching this movie feels like sitting next to a kid , and watching him play a video game , knowing it will never be your turn to have fun .", "satisfyingly sturdy and no-nonsense , a multiplex monster smartly constructed from tried-and-trusted parts .", "all things considered , it is a well-wrought piece of entertainment , confidently paced , although its necessary subplots are little more than dutiful filler sandwiched between fight sequences .", "the visual effects are a slick combination of real robots and cgi , and -- especially on the new blu-ray release -- the result is gloriously seamless .", "by no means is MOV an original film , at least in terms of its base story , but that does n't mean it 's not an effective , tear-jerking kids movie .", "MOV envisions a future where boxing has evolved into giant fighting robots . great special effects and cool fight choreography makes this a must-see .", "good thing we all love hugh jackman so much", "all this swiping from stallone , and they could n't find room for a cameo by paulie 's birthday robot ?", "this movie about robot boxing needs more robot boxing .", "... the film benefits substantially from the inclusion of several unexpectedly engrossing robot-on-robot fight sequences ...", "wow , they actually made rock em sock em robots - the movie ! even more surprising is how amazing this movie is . filled to the brim with heart , soul , grit , and fun . one of the best movies of 2011 .", "MOV offers plenty of fun and engaging moments -- of both the human character drama and giant cgi robot battle variety .", "`` MOV '' just never gives us a reason to care , and for two hours that can be quite detrimental .", "it 's relaxed , casually assured , and just plain well-made .", "this is the ` boy and his robot ' movie that transformers always should have been .", "this punishingly predictable tale will test whether sci-fi action fanboys can stomach having their cherished genre infiltrated by sentimental hokum about a down-on-his-luck dad and his spunky long-lost son .", "though set in a future where boxing has gotten so intense only high-tech robots have what it takes to compete , MOV still trusts a good , old-fashioned father-son drama to deliver the thrills .", "-lsb- video -rsb- hugh jackman breaks an obvious sweat attempting to hold together this `` rock 'em sock 'em robots '' kids ' fantasy adventure movie . the surprising thing is that jackman 's hard-won efforts pay off .", "just awful . did n't i see this movie in 1987 starring sylvester stallone ?", "i was left with an uncomfortable feeling that MOV is stranded somewhere between a children 's film and a violent action film .", "`` i do n't think this is something your average 35-year-old couple will go out and see on a date but if you 've got kids , it 's great .", "rocky with rivets .", "packing a fistful of metal and dripping with rusty cheese , MOV successfully blends action and sentiment while paying tribute to the classic films of sylvester stallone .", "the movie uses every trick it can to pull this off , which means using us . but to paraphrase bill withers , i want to spread the news that if it feels this good getting used , then keep on using me until you use me up .", "i did n't care which robot won the fight . and i did n't care about the people either .", "it should be disastrous . it should suck on wonder bread with a side order of craptastic to wash it down . and yet ... and yet ... my god , is there actually a good time in there ?", "at least the depressingly similar transformers franchise serves up its soullessness with a side order of crazy . MOV just piles on the schmaltz .", "yes , it 's unapologetically sentimental -lrb- and sometimes unapologetically cheesy -rrb- , but shawn levy 's film has an irresistible force .", "patently ludicrous but undeniably rousing .", "MOV can be filed under ` big dumb fun ' . it telegraphs its punches , but they 're still powerful when they land .", "let me put it this way -- if you are savvy enough in regards to the genre to have recognized the title `` robojox '' when i dropped it earlier in this review , you are definitely too advanced for this one .", "there 's nothing real about MOV except its shameless desire to please by going where better and more successful movies have gone before .", "MOV is a movie of simple ideas and even simpler pleasures .", "the robot has the heart and the human has to learn to feel again in this unabashedly cheesy but irresistible fairy tale .", "it 's all very heavy-handed , but maybe kids of about ten to thirteen will be more taken with it .", "... probably a little too generic -lrb- and long -rrb- to win over a grown-up audience rendered blas\u00e9 about movie robots by the transformers movies , but kids should respond well to its finely calibrated wish-fulfilment story .", "the action is so immersing that i dare you not to cheer for the mighty atom in the ring as he takes a lickin ' and keeps on tickin ' .", "featuring sharp performances from its cast -lrb- both human and metal -rrb- and some outstanding special effects , `` MOV '' is best described as `` rocky '' meets `` the iron giant . ''", "there are no big surprises in this movie , other than the fact that it 's done with conviction , skill and special effects that are all the more spectacular for being presented in a matter-of-fact way .", "it is safe to say there will not be a dry eye in the house . the technology may change but the emotional tug of an all-american tearjerker is eternal .", "the fight scenes themselves are dead dull . two motorised robots slugging it out ? big deal !", "it 's an incredibly cynical movie , written and acted by robots , and boasting the most flagrant piece of product-placement for a certain soft drink .", "relies heavily on time-tested , heart-tugging disney signature themes juiced with a familiar twist of kid-spunkiness that might reflect steven spielberg 's participation as one of the project 's 12 producers .", "flashy and smashy , with some great paternal chemistry MOV is hugely derivative yet pretty enjoyable .", "even if the story in `` MOV '' is n't new , it is a crowd-pleaser , told with humor and pace . and those distinctive robots are the real deal .", "MOV has the underdog boxing feel of a robot rocky paired with the story of a lovable lug who learns that being a dad is even better than winning a big fight .", "giant robots punching each other : the movie , starring hugh jackman .", "MOV is ridiculous , but it is not dispiriting . if you 're going to make this movie , it should be made just this way , with commitment , verve and a complete disregard for physics , robotics and environmentalism .", "every clich\u00e9 from sports movies , underdog stories and father-son dramas is trotted out and played with a straight face .", "there 's really no excuse", "the reason we are here to see `` MOV '' is the rockin ' robots . the deft use of cgi , motion capture and animatronics makes the action look real and believable -lrb- in a bombastic hollywood way -rrb- .", "mostly it 's dopey . the movie just begs too many logical questions for its own good .", "MOV is what happens when people who know nothing about science fiction make a science fiction movie .", "for a big , brawling , robot-boxing action movie , it spends a crazy amount of time trying to make you care about whether or not obnoxious hugh jackman and his equally irritating , estranged son -lrb- dakota goyo -rrb- , will bond as a family once again .", "robot boxing sounds like the kind of premise that ca n't fail . there are robots ; they fight each other ; what more do you need ? examine it closely , though , and you see the problem .", "in spite of its by-the-books plotting , MOV solidly and confidently delivers the crowd-pleasing goods .", "with the heart and soul of rocky , MOV really packs a wallop .", "more successful as a rock 'em , sock 'em ` rocky with robots ' vehicle than as a potent family drama , MOV is a scrappy but warm-hearted film which should nevertheless appeal to just about every boy under the age of 12 .", "after all the ` transformers ' exposure over the last few years , who would have guessed more battling bots would hook our interest ? maybe it is because ` MOV 's ' bots need humans to think for them .", "big hollywood names aside -lrb- jackman , spielberg and zemeckis -rrb- , this family film overcomes an initially harebrained-sounding plot with just enough thrill , modern-day ocular wizardry and heart-warming emotion to convert most initial skeptics into believers .", "family-friendly , inspirational action drama with a recycled wii-redemption .", "those robot boxing bouts are exciting to watch , but it 's the impressive performances by hugh jackman and dakota goyo that make ` MOV '' something special .", "sure it runs too long and is completely predictable , but despite its flaws it still manages to pack an entertaining punch .", "MOV works so well and the concept is so obvious -- what kid out there has n't wanted their own robot ? that it 's surprising hollywood has n't made robo rocky before .", "though the premise of fighting robots does seem a plausible and intriguing extension of the contemporary wwe world , MOV is hampered by leaden , clich\u00e9d moments in which a stubborn boy teaches his childish father a valuable lesson .", "sincere but silly - i could have done without the cringe-worthy dance routines between boy and robot - MOV is a rocky version of the rocky template .", "it 's not quite in balboa 's weight class , but MOV at least has some heft .", "a science-fiction family film in which nine-foot-tall boxing robots are greased not with oil but with schmaltz .", "the tear-jerking in MOV is as shameless as its product placement . we 're being hustled .", "most viewers over the age of 12 will feel they have stepped into a confused , unambitious piece of futurama weighed down by shawn levy 's uninspired and limp direction .", "lovers of blood sport action ... are going to enjoy the well-staged fighting sequences ... while tender hearts seeking emotional depth will find the father-son conflict reasonably engaging .", "neither as bad as it sounds nor quite as good as it could be , although the 9-year-old bruiser next to me pummeled the armrest , spilled his soda and screamed `` awesome '' through every one of the fight scenes .", "an old-fashioned potboiler made up of cinematic spare parts -lsb- that -rsb- work -lsb- s -rsb- in a crass , manipulative way . but ... anybody without a bleeding heart will probably be giggling rather than cheering by the final fade-out .", "real heart trumps MOV !", "cliched underdog sports movie , that 's predictable , contrived and its familiar derivative plot line is put to poor use .", "the woman is a slow-burning incendiary device , a brutal satire on the sanctity of the nuclear family and its conservative `` values . ''", "and i expected so much more from the director of the cheaper by the dozen and pink panther remakes .", "it would appear that there was more consideration given to keeping the dr. pepper cans in frame than was given to plot , character or meaning .", "at the time of writing , this is definitely a real film and not a satirical story on the onion news network .", "while most of the characters are not very appealing , young dakota goyo really carries the day . he keeps this film afloat when none of the other characters seem to be worth watching .", "action-packed and genuinely moving as it aspires to be , and is , more than a live-action version of a popular 60s robot boxing game", "MOV should not work on any level , but it succeeds on many , thanks to its appealing , unpretentious and deceptively involving approach to its tale .", "it 's probably the best cliched father-connects-with-the-son-he-never-knew with boxing robots movie you 're likely to see .", "MOV is a blast , an unabashed crowd-pleaser that mixes rocky , transformers , video games and father-son bonding to great , if corny , effect .", "oddly enough , i was more emotionally connected to atom the robot than i was to any human characters . the film is a perfect example of mediocre mindless fun !", "`` MOV '' turns out to be less toxic than you 'd expect , if you take it as a family picture aimed at boys , which it is , and grant that boys have an endless appetite for robot smashing , which they do .", "predictable but fun fight movie has lots of robot action .", "MOV , a heartwarming sci-fi sports movie about a father and son who reunite through robot boxing , testifies to the formidable power of ridiculousness .", "aas the plot proceeds from boy-meets-dad verbal sparring to an uneasy peace to the underdog-vs . - champion title bout , it becomes increasingly easy to forgive its many nicks .", "quite cheesy , yet exhilarating and mindlessly entertaining . it 's a fun , crowd-pleasing popcorn movie that will leave you hungry for a sequel . child star dakota goyo has a very bright future ahead of him .", "is MOV original , amazingly directed , acted wonderfully or something you 've never seen ? no . is it fun ? definitely .", "kudos to shawn levy , he 's made a movie many of us did n't expect - the personification of what a rock 'em sock 'em robots movie should be .", "i suspect a lot of what i found synthetic and sort of galling in `` MOV '' will work just fine with the target audience .", "` steel ' throws in towel with ` bot boxing plot", "MOV is a very strange spectacle , but only sometimes as fun as it sounds .", "characters ' smug , this-is-so-cool ! ness and jingoistic , heartland subtext tries to knock us into submission . the hero 's one of those animatronic adults in kid 's clothing .", "silly , corny and featuring nearly every boxing clich\u00e9 ... but fighting robots ? dads and their young sons will have a blast .", "` MOV ' about an estranged son and his father , a man who 's been beaten down by repeated failures , a needy boy who finds something he can believe in , and , of course , it 's a sports movie , too , because it 's sort of a metallic ` rocky . '", "this much is clear as soon as they meet : father and son have matching attitudes , both resentful of their sudden connection and very tough on the outside even as they 're really vulnerable .", "a film that feels as if it 's been written by a five-year-old who 's been allowed to create it as some sort of bizarre birthday present this is undemanding all the way", "the robots are fun , but the script never gets beyond cliches", "clash time between the machines is nigh overwhelming in this never-before-seen context , and that 's the payoff here .", "`` MOV '' has all the brainless fun of rock 'em sock 'em robots and the heart and rousing fight sequences of `` rocky . ''", "never in a million years did i think that i would enjoy a boxing robot movie from the director of night at the museum .", "apolyta tairiasth retrofoytoyristikh proseggish , poy pantreyei thn fantasiwsh twn binteogkeimadwn me tis klasikoteres twn istoriwn patrikhs eksilewshs kai anatrophs twn pithanothtwn", "this thing is tons of fun to watch and kids ages 10 to 15 are going to love it .", "every moment is prettified as if this were some sort of prestige project ; there is n't an image shot plainly if it could n't be reflected in a puddle .", "a well made but instantly forgettable robot-boxing movie that dishes out clich\u00e9s blow-by-blow for its 12-year-old-boy target audience .", "pure programming from the opening frame , hitting artificial beats throughout , using the shiny robots to distract from painfully leaden filmmaking . it 's not rocky , it 's just wrecked .", "MOV ? as opposed to what , imitation metallic substitute ? giant beams made of cheese ?", "director shawn levy is a certified lightweight who always goes for the easiest emotional payoff . but hugh jackman 's lovable as a loser , dakota goyo has spunk and charm , and the robot battles are genuinely thrilling .", "`` MOV '' is a real movie . it has characters , it matters who they are , it makes sense of its action , it has a compelling plot . this is the sort of movie , i suspect , young viewers went to the `` transformers '' movies looking for .", "imagine what you 'd get if you squished `` rocky '' and `` wall-e '' together in a giant industrial press : a gooey , drippy mess , leaking lubricant and metal shards all over the factory floor .", "MOV falls somewhere near the intersection of elation and shame , essentially reworking the sylvester stallone arm-wrestling non-classic over the top for the equally ridiculous sport of android fisticuffs , and mostly getting away with it .", "even in its fist-pumping finale disney 's economic parable remains pessimistic : america wins the popularity contest , but the asians win the purse .", "channeling spielberg ... as well as dozens of popcorn king imitators , -lrb- the director -rrb- winds up delivering a braindead blockbuster that is guaranteed to generate income , if not entertainment .", "some audiences will enjoy the film for what it is ; they will bob and weave with fun robot fight scenes . but i found little here that is truly inspiring .", "surely a story as elementary and essentially derivative as this one could be told in less than 127 minutes .", "just plain unpleasant to sit through . so much of the movie is spent amid screaming crowds and abrasive music , often in dark , trashy dives .", "a pretty solid mix of an underdog fighting movie and a movie about a father and son . and all of it is set against the backdrop of some wicked-cool robots fighting .", "the film serves a broad audience without exploiting the classic boxing tradition . `` mind over matter '' may be age-old , but this one delivers it in a fun package .", "thanks to an admittedly corny script , some amazing fight scenes , and a terrific cast , `` MOV 's '' actually a winner by split decision .", "if there had to be a rock em sock em robots movie , i 'm actually kinda pleased it was this one .", "the movie is n't very different from that rock 'em sock 'em robots game : easy to sell in tv ads and soon stash away in the closet .", "they should call this overloud , underwhelming movie real steal .", "by the time the two hour running length has expired , it 's safe to say that MOV comes across as a legitimate crowd-pleaser .", "demonstrates the way cgi - driven bot cinema can fruitfully coexist with father-and-son bonding cinema to create charming entertainment - part warm hugs and part cold clang .", "adding giant robots to your typical sentimental underdog sports story does n't make the sappiness any more palatable , just way more expensive to produce .", "this script must have been written by a computer or by a robot . it is really embarrassing , the number of clich\u00e9s in this film .", "this is real movie making that packs a solid entertainment punch , proving it does n't matter what the genre is if genuinely talented and dedicated people are pulling the strings instead of hacks .", "a ` robo-rocky ' - like mash-up full of ` rock - 'em / sock - 'em ' action , shawn levy 's MOV reimagines the father/son boxing melodrama the champ -lrb- 1931 , 1979 -rrb- for the gamer generation ... and it damn near pulls it off .", "if there 's anything about it that earns my respect , it 's the total commitment on behalf of director shawn levy and producer steven spielberg to assembling the best movie ever if you happen to be 12 years old .", "think rocky , think karate kid . no , there 's not much new with MOV but i still had fun .", "frankly , MOV is an appalling movie : cliched , corny , sentimental , hectoring and pitched so low that the term b-movie seems like praise .", "whatever your age , if you 've ever crashed two toy robots together you wo n't want to miss this .", "unsteadily teeters on the brink of unmitigated disaster for over two hours of metal-clanging robo-fighting and teary-eyed human melodrama", "surprisingly entertaining", "steel suffers from rusty script .", "MOV may have a hardened outer shell , but it 's pure marshmallow on the inside .", "set in the year 2020 but scavenges its buffed and retooled spare parts not just from the mattel aisle at toys r us but from a vast and ancient junkyard , overflowing with all the shameless crowd-pleasing hokum and staged public violence of eras past .", "this is n't just a great boxing movie , it 's a great movie .", "from the billboards you might think this is another transformers movie-heaven help us-when in fact , MOV is a cross between rocky and the champ .", "a big , seemingly clunky contraption that works against all odds", "a family movie like disney used to make , with all the faults and bonuses that implies .", "richard matheson 's classic science fiction short story ... is bastardized into a rehash of the old wallace beery weeper the champ ...", "this year 's biggest , dumbest blockbuster . like a hamburger dripping in grease , there 's no nutritional value , but it goes down easily .", "this is 50 per cent violence and 50 per cent gross sentimentality - and in each half the clich\u00e9s mount like a souffl\u00e9 .", "a frankenstein-like compendium of fight movies haphazardly bolted together in the hope that something will spark to life .", "-lsb- MOV -rsb- is the undercard you 're forced to sit through in order to get to the real main event , which , in this case , just never materializes .", "the result is predictable but enjoyable . and the robot fights are cool , and infrequent enough that we do n't get sick of them .", "rocky with robots ? you betcha , and it works !" ], "summary": "silly premise notwithstanding , this is a well-made hollywood movie : thrilling and exciting action with just enough characterization .", "id": "770858177" }, { "movie": "results_2015", "reviews": [ "in its seemingly unassuming way , it 's one of the weirdest and most thrilling films of the year .", "with bujalski , this is business as usual , but by the standards of the contemporary indie rom-com , it 's refreshingly unpredictable and thoughtful .", "bujalski crafts a quirky romance with fitness-industry comedy MOV , shaping flawed characters into people you might just admire .", "it took me two viewings to figure out how much i liked the movie . -lrb- quite a lot , it turns out . -rrb- that might not sound like a full-bodied recommendation , but why not take a cue from the film 's surprisingly lovable gym rats : MOV do n't happen overnight .", "you 'd expect bujalski , who made beeswax and computer chess and a couple of other extreme indies , to poke fun at gym culture , the ultimate soft target . and he does , but sweetly and without disparagement ...", "what happens when a rigorously non-mainstream filmmaker tries to reverse-engineer a mainstream romantic comedy ? the result , in all its charming perversity , is `` MOV . ''", "only toward the end do you realize that the characters have been arranged into a pleasing and familiar romantic-comedy triangle and that you 've been watching a beautifully played game of underhand slow-pitch screwball .", "although not as strikingly original as bujalski 's earlier work , there 's something endearing about the characters , the film 's laconic , stoner rhythms and quirky plotting .", "one of the strangest and strongest of recent romantic triangles forms in the course of this lyrical , fanatically realistic comedy , written and directed by andrew bujalski .", "`` MOV '' is n't always a successful film , but its philosophies about the myths of perfection as they apply to love are at least credible , funny and well observed .", "andrew bujalski 's entrance into the world of professional actors and state-of-the-art digital cameras happily keeps the distinguishing characteristics of america 's most idiosyncratic lo-fi auteur intact .", "`` MOV '' is a smooth transition for bujalski from the fringes to more commercial work . it 's heartening that he did n't give up his calling-card observational humor to do it .", "writer/director andrew bujalski has enough laughs and stamina in his narrative , although at times the flabby story seems to drift endlessly without much focus other than on ripped biceps and toned abs .", "a neatly structured story with a thoroughly satisfying happy ending , yet it feels unpredictable and full of possibility .", "perhaps due to his inexperience with this kind of lightweight material , bujalski seems unsure whether to fully commit to the romantic angle or go with something more experimental .", "a kindhearted comedy about people who work fiercely toward physical perfection and business success , and about the blessings brought to them by a man who pursues neither .", "there 's a loose charm to this comedy that disarms the audience , raising smiles instead of laughter as three nutty characters swirl around each other .", "the droll way in which it simultaneously subverts and embraces the conventions of the romcom template makes it a genuine find .", "MOV does n't really amount to much , but it 's never less than engaging .", "bujalski seems to revel in the hard-to-like .", "a sweet character piece that almost comes across as effortless .", "sharply funny slacker comedy .", "both pearce and smulders are given so much more to do than they would in , say , a marvel film . each of them has a strong , interesting through line , though the big winner here might be corrigan .", "a movie like this feels like a dream challenge for an actor . it lives and dies not sheerly by the writing and the direction of the script , but by the cast 's organic adherence to both .", "while he takes a somewhat circuitous route to get there , bujalski winds up with a fairly charming portrait of people stuck in ruts of isolation , without the people skills to get out of them .", "bujalski 's wit remains devilishly dry , and his portrait of three very prickly souls who can monkey up almost any interaction is sly , lovingly structured yet still unswervingly funny .", "MOV not only flexes its dramatic muscles , but also shows us the strength of its most powerful muscle : its whimsical , beating heart .", "this droll , intelligent farce is most poignant as a portrait of modern alienation that explores how money , service work and self-improvement leave individuals stranded and alone .", "writer-director andrew bujalski appreciates a grimy basement as much as he does a wide-open highway , and he aims for a slice-of-life tapestry . but he should have simply let corrigan slouch into nirvana .", "pearce is the only actor -lsb- ... -rsb- who seems fairly confident in what he 's doing , and he 's the only one who comes close to creating an appealing character .", "MOV feels so free-form , so liberated from the shackles of genre , that it becomes its own wonderfully alive and unpredictable thing .", "things went fairly disastrously wrong at the casting stage , and got worse from that point ...", "bujalski might never crack hollywood , but what does it matter ? he 's defiantly his own man . MOV gets MOV .", "in truth , it does n't quite work , but the dissonance between the content and bujalski 's approach is oddly compelling .", "thankfully , MOV does not become a straight-ahead tug-of-war . it 's a much more subtle and affecting odyssey of the soul , moving in pleasantly unpredictable turns that , while they do n't always make logical sense , are palpably driven by the heart .", "the movie is a delight start to finish , but it never sells out its characters for each sentiment or laughs : it sees all three of them as damaged , difficult dreamers who need each other so they 'll finally start getting out of their own way .", "MOV is the filmakers most accesible movie . -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "does n't really add that much to the rom-com genre . -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "despite inconsistencies on its tone , specially in the second act , MOV is an homage to american indie films of the '90s . -lsb- full review in spanish -rsb-", "MOV is not your typical rom-com .", "bujalski 's script is smarter and much weirder -lrb- in a good way -rrb- than the standard romantic comedy .", "in its small , endearing way , MOV just wants to be your friend .", "much like computer chess , MOV is a study of people and how they interact despite their best efforts to largely remain alone .", "MOV is a meandering , overly long film in which a lot of stuff happens , but none of it is all that interesting .", "andrew bujalski seizes upon physical training as a resonant metaphor for the work and risk that are inherent in cultivating significant interpersonal connections .", "mature drama explores personal connections ; drugs , language .", "bracingly off-kilter , a sort of anti rom-com that sends up a cultlike subculture while embracing the full , curious humanity of those who live in it .", "`` MOV '' is not entirely successful -lrb- the two main plots do n't quite fit together -rrb- but it does have a charm and a style that works .", "its charm is a matter of getting to know and understand the marvellous key cast , corrigan 's self-styled `` podgy and mellow '' vibe playing adeptly against the hints of vulnerability displayed by the buffed-up pearce and smulders .", "a robust relationship drama .", "somebody needs to give andrew bujalski a tv series . if `` MOV , '' his unlikely but delightful new film set in and around an austin fitness studio run by hard-bodied guy pearce , were a tv pilot , i would be hooked on the show already .", "despite a too-neat resolution , the characters have n't figured themselves out , much less their relationships , and bujalski is perfectly comfortable sorting through their confusion .", "a sly little wonder of a film that may end up flying under the radar .", "a week in the outback without a cellphone would be better than MOV .", "bujalski knows how to reveal the immaturities and hangups people hide behind money , ambition , and the pursuit of a better body .", "random , contrived and generally pointless", "a perfectly chosen cast sells this unhurried comedy , which flows unconventionally but is still , by a long stretch , the most mainstream-friendly picture bujalski has made .", "bujalski takes exaggerated types and , by focusing on their quirks to the point that they become banal and relatable , turns his characters into recognizable humans .", "a quirky comedy that knows where it 's going and gets there in due time .", "guy pearce and cobie smulders are exceptionally likable actors , given a great opportunity here . they 're so good , you wish there 'd be more of them . that 's the problem .", "the chemistry between smulders and pearce is undeniable . and the wry humor offered by corrigan adds just enough of a twist to make the whole affair more interesting than the usual romantic comedy .", "what makes MOV so special is that it delivers all the conventional rom-com satisfactions while also stubbornly being it 's own unique thing .", "MOV wants to seduce and charm by roughing up the rom-com formula but , way too often , it drags and annoys .", "what begins as a study of potentially hopeless self-improvement becomes a funny , appealing look at loneliness and the motivations behind life 's little fixes .", "writer-director andrew bujalski has capitalized on the lo-fi triumph of oddball subculture that was computer chess , adding budget and stars without compromising tone or intelligence .", "writer/director andrew bujalski trusts these characters more than they trust themselves ...", "andrew bujalski spends a hefty 105 minutes trying arduously to break the formula of a rom-com , meandering into bizarro dreamscapes and meditative vignettes and yet ultimately lands where the genre insists upon .", "it gives off a warmly inviting glow .", "the rom-com is n't such a lost cause , after all . it was just waiting for someone like indie filmmaker andrew bujalski to resuscitate it .", "MOV seems interested in one day becoming a comedy , and in a few scenes , manages to muster enough energy to be described as droll .", "there 's an absurdist edge , but with nothing of the smart aleck about it . rather than use wit as a way of bypassing thought and emotion , bujalski 's concerns are serious and his attitude toward his characters is warm without being indulgent .", "bujalski grounds his characters in unpredictable yet believable ways . we go on their journey with them because we like them , and we like them because bujalski does n't force us to like them .", "they 're all so screwed up , but bujalski shows such an affection for the characters and their faults that it also makes them endearing .", "`` MOV '' is amusing and uniquely performed , and the screenplay 's dedication to uncomfortable situations is laudable .", "somehow bujalski wraps his film in a most traditional way for the genre while you 're still being amazed at how he got there .", "like eric rohmer with rowing machines .", "the only result from `` MOV '' is boredom .", "not a whole lot happens , but you get to know an interesting trio , and leave them feeling satisfied that it was time well spent .", "like bujalski 's early mumblecore work , this is sensitive and meandering - and just a little bit patience-testing .", "the new film is a little less deadened than -lsb- bujalski 's -rsb- earlier work , but still moves at close to the pace of real life .", "andrew bujalski , who also wrote the script , does an excellent job in playing out his oddball romantic comedy and creating fully formed characters" ], "summary": "MOV moves stubbornly at its own deliberate pace , but the well-chosen cast -- and writer-director andrew bujalski 's insightful observations -- offer rich rewards for patient viewers .", "id": "771413841" }, { "movie": "golden_age", "reviews": [ "stilted and juvenile , more classics illustrated than classic ... the dialogue is pocked with banalities and howlers .", "with dark eyes peering from behind white face paint and headdresses swirling above her like forces of nature , elizabeth is less a human monarch than a mythical goddess .", "silence would be a blessing to elizabeth : the MOV , which substitutes symphonic din in place of drama .", "torture ! intrigue ! sex ! treachery ! holy war ! cate blanchett in royal drag ! clive owen in pirate drag ! we are highly amused .", "like a bad second season of a breakout tv show , the original was laudable but the sequel 's simply laughable .", "we are left choking in the billows and folds of queen elizabeth i 's fabulous finery without a single insight into the woman among them , let alone the most celebrated period in english history .", "a distinct letdown from the 1998 predecessor that helped make blanchett a star .", "-lsb- blanchett 's -rsb- so perfect in the part that you almost do n't mind the abrupt ending .", "emphasises the costumes , hair and sets over historical accuracy and depth of character . but it 's still hugely entertaining .", "as elaborate , silly and attention seeking as one of elizabeth 's feathery headdresses .", "the main difference between the first film and its new sequel is this : in `` elizabeth , '' cate blanchett emerged as one staunch , formidable queen . in `` elizabeth : the MOV , '' she 's been reduced to a drag queen .", "an epic bio-pic has been turned into a lifetime movie .", "sexual politics dominate the MOV , rendering the middle-aged elizabeth more love sick adolescent than conquering warrior in this borderline bodice ripper .", "a failure on most any appreciable level : as compelling drama , as a history lesson , as a showcase for blanchett 's unparalleled talents ... even as a sequel .", "kapur also demonstrates he has no knack for shooting fight scenes , meaning the boffo climax looks less like epic warfare and more like shark attack 3 .", "elizabeth i : ii : liz harder is an enjoyable sequel which does not this time require you to have done your homework .", "it 's hard to enjoy all that naval carnage when the people on the ships are just as wooden as the planks .", "taken in the proper spirit ... pleasant enough", "if you like your history lessons loud and garish , bombastic and bloody , then elizabeth : the MOV is for you .", "i can almost recommend this film as a great-looking , bombastic guilty pleasure . but the soundtrack is unbearable , the soap opera love triangle -- laughable .", "imagine the sopranos made by nbc . imagine braveheart brought to you by the history channel . imagine disney 's south park . that 's what a pg-13 elizabeth is like .", "the MOV recycles much of the same basic material without offering any real insight into the woman or the times in which she lived", "despite good performances all around , particularly the ever-brilliant blanchett , elizabeth : the MOV is a gilded ornament , speculative and uninterested in much besides this queen 's matters of heart .", "nothing more than a splashy , eclectic pageant complete with barge rides , banquets , indoor forests of wigs , medieval dancers that look like modern mimes and dialogue that makes you wish everyone would shut up .", "where 's the political sophistication that made the first movie slightly more interesting ? that was a decent game of chess . the MOV is checkers .", "those of us who looked forward to this second installment of a planned trilogy may now dread the third .", "nobody has -lsb- blanchett 's -rsb- back this time , as kapur 's leaden pacing and the script 's soap-opera touches undercut elizabeth 's glory .", "as insistent on its emotional grandiosity as it is completely meaningless .", "a sequel in which the virgin queen struggles to hold on to power in a time of great religious violence and personal challenges .", "elizabeth : the MOV is a kitsch extravaganza aquiver with trembling bosoms , booming guns and wild energy .", "... gaudy , anachronistic cheese that 's hard to swallow even as camp fun , let alone as serious history gussied up as entertainment .", "elizabeth : full throttle . elizabeth : the heretic . elizabeth : book of shadows . despite all the peacock kerfluffery kapur can conjure , this remains an inscrutable film , in intent as well as execution .", "impeccably shot and acted , but essentially a great-looking cliche-filled period film that carries very little weight or emotional impact .", "this sequel to 1998 's elizabeth ... shares the faults and virtues of its predecessor .", "spectacle , costumes , wigs and an inaccurate history lesson rules the day .", "raleigh embodies england 's drive to explore , to conquer , to make commerce % u2014to `` build , '' as he puts it .", "this is romantic fantasy , not history , and much of the time you fully expect kapur , here making his third post-bollywood feature , to turn his cast loose in song and dance .", "shekhar kapur 's elizabeth : the MOV , from a screenplay by william nicholson and michael hirst , turned out to be more rousingly entertaining than many of its less-than-lukewarm reviews had led me to anticipate .", "fie on those who have trashed this entertainingly overheated historical conceit !", "makes court intrigue about as exciting as jury duty .", "sometimes , history does n't have to repeat itself .", "elizabeth : the MOV squanders its chance to paint history in the fascinating strokes of gray that make for the best cinematic epics .", "they wrote themselves into a corner from the git go by making the central relationship one that could n't be consummated .", "MOV rides off the rails , taking the legend of elizabeth to the next level of mythology . frankly , the acceleration is bliss .", "it is such a botch that it is difficult to believe that any of those involved with its production actually saw the original `` elizabeth , '' let alone helped make it .", "reasonably entertaining show of flourishes , colors , strong emotions , some intrigue , and heightened moments of drama ... around a weak center .", "just f ******* retarded .", "... a feast for the eyes and a portrait of a leader who has to rely as much on herself as anyone else when her nation is under attack .", "through the miracle of modern technology , the film achieves alchemy in reverse , turning historical gold into contemporary lead .", "a lurid sort of christopher hitchens vision of history pervades elizabeth : the MOV ... how is it possible that this orgy of anti-catholicism has been all but ignored by critics ?", "playing fast and loose with the facts , and generating little big picture meaning , elizabeth : the MOV , stands as a series of individual court intrigues that fail to add up to any great epiphany .", "every so often kapur shoots from behind a huge stone column or pillar ; most of these pillars exhibit more personality than the movie .", "elizabeth : the MOV gives new meaning to `` costume drama '' in that it is a drama primarily about costumes . but the drama is about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the temple .", "MOV starts well , and with sharp wit and crisp dialogue . but as the story moves toward the tentative romance with raleigh , the film drifts into melodrama ...", "the movie contains the usual palace intrigue and overblown dialogue . the only line missing is the one referring to elizabeth as a `` king in petticoats . ''", "breasts heave and the sea storms as historical music swells in shekhar kapur 's overwrought follow-up to elizabeth .", "bigger and more exciting than its intimate predecessor .", "f. scott fitzgerald once remarked that there are no second acts in american lives . if only the same could be said about shekhar kapur 's 1998 elizabeth .", "okay , but more silver than gold this time out .", "an elizabethan-era version of the madcap energy , penny-novel intrigue and intentional historical inaccuracies of baz luhrman 's moulin rouge ! .", "the script is the flowery prose of an overly earnest high school student .", "cate the great once again imbues the queen with her captivating mix of steely strength , regal dignity , take-no-crap toughness , and intimate vulnerability .", "there are movies that are so bad they 're good , and then there are movies that are so bad they 're completely awesome .", "an extended game of 16th-century barbie .", "overall , pic takes a small-minded view of history and , in its rush to proceed from one tumultuous event to the next , lacks any sense of occasion relative to the significant pageant it attempts to depict .", "a handsome but shallow sequel .", "the film is just about worth seeing for the wigs and costumes . but elizabeth : the MOV sank without trace in american cinemas , and i fear it will do the same here .", "a lesser movie compared to its 1998 predecessor , this sequel nonetheless delivers the sort of stirring drama and sweeping spectacle its subject demands . blanchett , meanwhile , shines brightly enough in the title role to make elizabeth iii a certainty .", "making soap of statecraft , the film has plenty of juicy moments , but offers an inconsistent rather than complex view of elizabeth .", "sidelines sir francis drake in favour of the dashing raleigh , nicely summing up the film : all flash , very little bang .", "over-indulgent and melodramatic , as is the nature of artistic mythmaking , the MOV will beguile and repel in equal measure . the performances are supreme , although some viewers may struggle to reconcile the director 's epic intentions .", "even though the script plays fast and loose with historical facts , that indomitable bulldog spirit rings true and holds you captive for the duration .", "it 's flawed and it does feel longer because the big finale is less like a battle and more like an on-screen version of battleship , but cate and clive are still worth a look .", "want to know what a gifted actress cate blanchett is ? watch her keep a straight face throughout elizabeth : the MOV .", "the film is beautifully shot , filling the screen with brightly saturated hues that give it an almost fairy tale-like visual sense , rather like a series of pre-raphaelite paintings brought to life .", "all in all , it 's a grand package of hearty acting , design and action with the only caveat being that unlike the first film this elizabeth can no longer surprise us with its modern twists .", "see it anyway for blanchett 's soulful modulation between queenly command and womanly anguish .", "if this is a film that irritates nearly as much as it pleases , we do get a sense of the times , and of the lady in question . the eyes , if not the brain , are certainly given a workout that they will remember .", "shekhar kapur 's elizabeth sequel is a beautifully shot , impeccably designed and largely entertaining drama , providing you 're not a stickler for historical accuracy .", "cate blanchett 's workaholic queen liz too busy for boy toys , in this royal runway strut more about fashion statements than political statements .", "rich in colour , sumptuous costumes , political intrigues and the personal relationships which dominate elizabeth once more .", "where kapur 's first elizabeth was cool , cerebral , fascinatingly concerned with complex plotting , the new movie is pitched at the level of a jean plaidy romantic novel .", "for all the shortcomings of its clunky , stubbornly anachronistic dialogue , the first instalment of the elizabeth saga packed a real punch .", "the pity of this botched follow-up is that it never once touches us .", "despite all that 's going for it , you ca n't help thinking this movie could have been so much better .", "kapur 's film is visually arresting , each frame a work of art in miniature . but there is something rather breathless about the storytelling .", "the MOV feels like two movies : one a bodice-ripping romance , the other a study in statecraft and power . but these strands , one private , one public , come together in the title character and the balancing act she must master .", "it dances through history , making us feel as though such spectacles as the defeat of the spanish armada took place in the course of an afternoon , and that what really mattered was what everyone was wearing at the time .", "elizabeth : the MOV is a rolls-royce , car-crash of a movie -- classy , beautifully made and ultimately crushed beneath its own pretentiousness .", "what elizabeth : the MOV finally lacks is something its subject never lacked : a sense of majesty .", "when you see cate blanchett in one fantastical gown after another , you understand why elizabeth 's reign was golden .", "elizabeth 's appeal is that she was womanly and feminine while deftly executing matters of state in a time when men ruled most of the world .", "history gets short shrift from screenwriters william nicholson and michael hirst -- starting with the not insignificant fact that in 1585 elizabeth was 52 years old -- but kapur is clearly more interested in spectacle and soap opera than dusty old facts .", "the movie looks beautiful , enhanced by intriguing camerawork and sumptuous production design . but the music is overbearing , perhaps to compensate for the pedestrian script and dull history lesson .", "it is a silly film about serious matters , challenged by a multiple-personality disorder -- multiple multiple-personality disorders , in fact -- but more or less saved from pure nonsense by blanchett .", "there are scenes where the costumes are so sumptuous , the sets so vast , the music so insistent , that we lose sight of the humans behind the dazzle of the production .", "it may have been a gamble for director shekhar kapur to pick up the threads of his acclaimed film elizabeth from nine years earlier but the result is overtly satisfying", "unreliable as history and misguided as a contemporary allegory , MOV finally fails because it is a half-hearted spectacle , not even filmed in a widescreen format .", "blanchett and the film powerfully embody the range of elizabeth 's mind and the force of her intellect , along with the necessary balance between moral scruple and realpolitik .", "the elaborate costumes and set decoration provide the only interest .", "... fearsome and passionate with its visual flair , but incredibly confused as to how it wants to address elizabeth 's life beyond what has already been realized .", "`` elizabeth : the MOV '' is a worthy sequel to `` elizabeth '' . cate blanchett delivers the same performance that earned her so much praise the first time around . the epic feel harkens back to hollywood 's MOV .", "menos interesante y m\u0431s rutinaria que la primera elizabeth -lrb- de 1998 -rrb- , esta segunda parte vale la pena m\u0431s que nada por otra brillante composici\u0443n de cate blanchett .", "a muddle that subsumes -lsb- its -rsb- premise in a mighty attempt to be several things all at once , with an uneven delivery", "figurinos , dire\u0437\u0433o de arte e fotografia s\u0433o exuberantes , mas fica at\u0439 dif\u043dcil apreciar a performance de cate blanchett em meio a um roteiro t\u0433o est\u044apido e \u0430 dire\u0437\u0433o `` olhem-pra-mim-sou-cecil-b . - demille ! '' de shekhar kapur .", "a sequel , a costume fantasy , a romantic melodrama , a cgi war spectacular , a puzzling celebration of beauty over substance .", "even the chance to see cate blanchett strut and fret upon the stage , shooting haughty glances left and right , is n't enough reason to tour this rambling tudor mansion , full of overstuffed bedrooms and empty suits of armor .", "expect a fast-paced , beautifully mounted and well-acted soap opera with overripe dialogue that plays fast and loose with history -- just like they did in the '30s , '40s and '50s -- and you wo n't come away disappointed .", "the sets and costumes are elaborate oscar bait , though the excess of candles sometimes makes things resemble an old police video .", "the events beg for shakespearean gravity , but the only tragedy here is that so little could be made of so much .", "the danger in making a costume drama is that all of it will be as lifeless as wax figures . kapur escapes this fate by relying on sex and a luminous star capable of being at once regal and alluring .", "for a narrative that 's positively overflowing with dramatic intrigue , elizabeth : the MOV is only fitfully compelling .", "what compelled kapur to film half the movie through scrims , curtains , screens and arches ? how can you appreciate human drama when you 're constantly being distracted by the 16th-century equivalent of architectural digest ?", "every time the camera finally settles on blanchett 's regal cheekbones , it 's a relief .", "elizabeth : the MOV places its gilded head upon the chopping block right from the opening salvo , replacing its predecessor 's cunning with bombast .", "the only thing connecting one MOV scene to the next is a choir of sopranos so insistent and shrill that you 'll wish elizabeth would behead them instead .", "here , the MOV is converted to pewter .", "elizabeth : the MOV is an unholy mixture of the banal and the bombastic .", "cate blanchett can do anything , even play bob dylan , but she ca n't save this creaky sequel to her star-making 1998 biopic of elizabeth i.", "highbrow camp masquerading as a history lesson soapier than any bottle of detergent .", "the filmmakers must 've noticed what a hit that first film was among teenage girls , and thus for the sequel instructed blanchett to play the 52-year-old monarch as if auditioning for high school musical 3 .", "a completely useless , over-enunciated film -- an instant antique .", "too bad kapur 's new , glittering sequel shows up feeling prematurely old , square , and cautious .", "despite its lofty aspirations and late 16th century setting , this one belongs right up there with showgirls in the high-camp section of your local video store .", "with respect to costumes and set design , this is a sumptuous affair . the script is less even , as is the pacing .", "the work of a director who is intoxicated with the power of cinema .", "elizabeth achieved its power by focusing on the central idea of how a callow princess became a great queen . in trying to re-create the formula , the sequel merely grasps about for a reason to be , and that makes for dull watching , indeed .", "cate blanchett returns to the role that made her a star , and though this sequel to elizabeth -lrb- 1998 -rrb- is less defensible as history , as florid costume drama it 's just as entertaining .", "-lsb- director -rsb- kapur is like an american idol contestant who mistakes a song for its high and low extremes .", "... the intrigue that made the original elizabeth so gripping is simply an awkward complication here , emphasis on the awkward .", "despite the ravishing abbie cornish , this is terminally melodramatic . the superficial treatment of the defeat of the spanish armada is deplorable .", "simply takes a chunk out of elizabeth 's life and says , ` here 's what happened during these years , ' without bothering to shape it into a story .", "the MOV is frustrating because kapur does seem to have a taste for nutball pageantry -- he just wo n't let himself go all the way with it .", "the most ornate episode of saved by the bell you 'll ever see .", "elizabeth : the MOV is less a chronicle of counter-reformation hijinks than a 16th-century episode of the hills .", "through it all , whether in muslin nightie , damask gown or silvery armor , blanchett commands the screen as she commands the royal navy . her unforced majesty makes a so-so film worth watching .", "it 's a full-scale star performance in every sense ... and i would n't be surprised if , like helen mirren last year , blanchett walks away with an elizabethan oscar .", "the way elizabeth : the MOV tells it , the spanish armada 's defeat by the british empire was the orgasm the virgin queen never had .", "a historical costume drama - with far more emphasis on the ` costume ' than the ` drama . ' and there 's no excuse for such a deafening score !", "bombastic music and lavish costumes can not disguise the film 's coming across as a ho-hum high-school lesson in historical fiction .", "bogus history can make a crackling good adventure yarn , and kapur piles on the treachery and romance .", "from its extravagant costumes to its pompous score , the MOV is packed with distractions . but the biggest of all is the story itself , which works so mightily to tarnish the queen at its core .", "elizabeth is the coolest british monarch ever . she 's totally bad *** .", "an overblown costumer drama that is desperately clutching at the oscar statuett", "it will most likely be admired by those who actually already reached their own ` MOV ' .", "despite its title , shekhar kapur 's new film resembles tarnished copper .", "god save cate blanchett . without her performance , this second history lesson on elizabeth i 's reign would be a little dry .", "blanchett -lsb- does -rsb- her level best to keep control of a movie going in 10 directions at once .", "too long , too ponderous , too noisy .", "more pageant drama than historical speculation .", "kitsch and hysteria masquerading as art and drama : dominated by bravura , oscar-caliber turn from cate blanchett , this pageantry-fashion parade of a sequel about the queen 's middle years , is way below the first film .", "period films , even sequels , are limited by budget , and kapur does a marvellous job with the money he has .", "this is an epic , to be sure , but it is also a melodrama , a soap opera of titanic scale and bluster .", "a pedigreed romance , an excuse for blanchett to bind herself in satin and channel kate hepburn .", "every shot , every costume is decadent with color , and every single twitch of blanchett 's face is imbued with meaning as she negotiates her way through her warring roles of being a woman and being a queen .", "but saddled with this dopey script , -lsb- blanchett -rsb- is stuck pulling a series of poses and wearing one ornate gown after another .", "blanchett is again director shekhar kapur 's greatest asset . his weakness is his tendency to fall back on silly , melodramatic contrivance better suited to popcorn fare than to a believable meditation on elizabethan england .", "betrayal , war , love triangles and most importantly , cate blanchett proves to be able to capture strength , anger and sadness better ...", "as an historical reenactment it suffers from a great deal of simplification in order to make complex events quickly and easily understandable , and as a drama it suffers from a great deal of build that never really pays on it 's promise .", "while the performances keep the film afloat , kapur 's over indulgent direction and his inadequate interpretation of history comes dangerously close to running it aground .", "calamitous", "odaje sve nedostatke i ograni % u010denja olovnih vremena u kojima je nastao" ], "summary": "this sequel is full of lavish costumes and elaborate sets , but lacks the heart and creativity of the original elizabeth", "id": "770669564" }, { "movie": "next_friday", "reviews": [ "its humor batting average would earn anybody an mvp .", "vulgar , stupid and un-pc as it may be , this sequel to 1995 's surprise hit friday is also sporadically funny ... occasionally very funny .", "as garishly uninspired as an average upn sitcom episode .", "steve carr is on creative lockdown here .", "notable chiefly for feeding a stereotype of blacks as shiftless layabouts interested mainly in recreational drugs and irresponsible sex .", "ice cube manages a certain bumbling charm that keeps the film churning along quite winningly for 90 minutes .", "MOV 's a chronic snore .", "by the film 's hollow conclusion , even ice cube has to acknowledge that t.g.i.f. really stands for thank god , it 's finished .", "while the end of the year is known for ho , ho , ho , movie critics often react to the beginning of the year and its cinematic offerings with no , no , no ! MOV is one of those films that elicits such a reaction .", "an altered state on the part of a viewer is about the only way for this film to be considered the laugh riot of the year .", "one measure of its desperation and lack of respect for its audience is the frequency with which it labors to wring humor from flatulence and excrement gags .", "a lifeless follow-up .", "wait for the video .", "most of the humor is about as fresh as the air left behind whenever witherspoon uses a toilet .", "the real problem with MOV is that the whole movie is so ineptly written and directed that its 90 minutes seem to take twice as long .", "if there were any justice , MOV would be the last friday . somehow , i fear the first weekend grosses will make that unlikely .", "instead of inspired hollywood shuffle-style parody , we get caricatures of color and glib riffs about economic insolvency in black america .", "i admit i had a good time at MOV . all i 'm saying is , do n't pay more than matinee price for the privilege .", "crap", "MOV will eventually be remembered as a disposable farce , but one that leaves a happy memory .", "stupidity reigns supreme in steve carr 's MOV .", "if your idea of comedy is falling in doggie-doo or watching guys get stoned and foolish , you 'll have a ball .", "cube walks through this picture in an unconnected , unfunny daze , torching what is obviously a great talent in pursuit of cheap laughs and big box office .", "another plotless , pothead comedy .", "-lsb- cube abandons -rsb- the heavy-on-dialogue rhythm in favor of needless subplots rife with hijinks .", "lazy , dumb , and misogynistic .", "most of the characters are so foolish and short-sighted that they ca n't see beyond the last puff of the fattie they 're smoking .", "still , in the wayans brothers tradition , a few of the vignettes are savvy and effective .", "MOV , after its midway mark , just lumbers until it fizzles out .", "when you feel like you have to explain the pop culture references in your gags , your movie is in trouble .", "a stupid , petulant exercise in racism and misogyny .", "and make no mistake about it , this unfunny farce is as awful as a sequel can get .", "in laying on all the outrageousness , ice cube sacrifices a key element to friday 's appeal : a surprising amount of heart .", "the flick could use chris tucker , co-star of the first friday , awol in the sequel . he probably took a look at the script and realized this sequel was no reason to shout , ` t.g.i.f. '", "surely a better title would have been ` saturday ' .", "a heaping piece of rancid garbage .", "the pic is too larky and goofy to come across as mean-spirited .", "not a giggle , not a smile nor a smirk came out or across my face .", "if the first film was such stoned , dumb fun it felt illegal , MOV reminds us of the dangers in returning to the scene of the crime .", "it delivers the same brand of cheap laughs .", "reduced to multiple skits woven together with a hyped soundtrack .", "MOV is a truly awful film .", "despite the absence of chris tucker , who launched his career in friday , this sequel manages to be funny despite its unevenness .", "it 's vulgar and raggy , but also very funny .", "is n't quite the picture its predecessor was .", "about as deep as an empty wading pool .", "MOV is sloppily assembled , with virtually no plot and absolutely no character development . but it 's funny .", "mike epps makes his motion picture acting debut with MOV . by next monday , he could be a star .", "MOV is an extremely funny movie , and this is coming from someone who barely cracked a smile during friday , the first installment of this franchise .", "MOV has everything you loved about last friday ." ], "summary": "MOV lacks the fun of the original friday . the movie is messy and plotless and relies on unfunny vulgar gags .", "id": "13546" }, { "movie": "1017776-rocky", "reviews": [ "sly 's best pic winner sets underdog-hero standard .", "transforms the gritty realities of economic hardship and personal desperation into a celebration of individuality and determination without sinking into mushy sentimentalism", "the memorable combination of the torturous gym workouts , the runs through the streets of philadelphia and the carcass-beating in the abattoir all combine beautifully as balboa trains ` to eat lightning and crap thunder ' .", "this triple-oscar-winning boxing drama is shot through with genuine impassioned commitment , born of the fact that sylvester stallone realised that this was his best hope of stardom .", "the real deal , offering a raw , gritty feel that none of the slicker sequels even attempted to replicate -lrb- with the possible exception of the final film -rrb- .", "a crowning achievement in sylvester stallone 's career as a writer and a performer ...", "it 's sly 's droopy-eyed , hangdog/underdog that carries MOV 's tale of transformation . he 's no oil painting , no blue-eyed hero . he 's not supposed to make it -- and that makes us instantly connect with him .", "one of the greatest , if not the greatest , feel good movies of all time .", "sylvester stallone -lsb- is -rsb- as likable as a basset hound .", "it 's all here : the famous bill conti fanfare , the ` gon na fly now ' training montage , the inevitable ` david and goliath ' climax . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "the story is achingly familiar , and though stallone has a certain power , he is certainly not the subtlest actor to crawl out from under marlon 's overcoat .", "a description of it would sound like a cliche from beginning to end . but MOV is n't about a story , it 's about a hero . and it 's inhabited with supreme confidence by a star .", "stallone thoroughly owns the movie with his groggy , downbeat delivery and sense of indomitability .", "easily the best underdog movie ever made !", "suffers from age somewhat , somewhat like mr. balboa himself theses days , but still wallops .", "it 's sometimes hard to remember what a great film the original MOV is because its reputation has been hurt by too many unnecessary sequels .", "the screenplay of MOV is purest hollywood make-believe of the 1930 's , but there would be nothing wrong with that , had the film been executed with any verve .", "... there 's simply no denying the film 's overall effectiveness ...", "a `` guy movie '' mega-classic that 's really gotten better with age .", "an extremely old-fashioned , if also intermittently enjoyable , sports drama that mixes elements of marty as well as numerous prize-fighting pictures like the cahamp , golden boy , and somebody up there like me .", "MOV is an old-fashioned fairytale brilliantly revamped to chime in with the depressed mood of the '70s .", "tells a timeless story about all the effort it can take to reach for someone else and how our most effective competition can sometimes be us , pushing ourselves to be the best .", "the basic storyline has been done to death over the years ; this is still one of the most effective and successful applications of the formula .", "the escapist ideal : it has one foot in our world and the other in the dreamland of opportunity ...", "MOV -lrb- 1976 -rrb- is the phenomenally successful low-budget `` sleeper '' film that was filmed in a record twenty-eight days . its screenwriter and major star were both unknowns", "stallone is perfect in the ultimate boxing flick .", "ay , yo ! this movie , like , rocks , yo !!", "a dunce who can fight with a contagious likability : now that 's american .", "MOV retains its power to enthrall ... a quieter movie than some may remember ... . it 's worth seeing again , for what it was , before it was betrayed by it 's less intelligent , testosterone-soaked progeny .", "better films have been made about the world of sports , but for many MOV is the sports movie .", "marty like romance tale with boxing gloves .", "there are occasional flashes that the film may be patronizing the lower end of the blue-collar mentality , as much if not more than the characters who keep putting MOV down on the screen . however , avildsen is noted for creating such ambiguities .", "stallone -- an actor who has made a career of bad performances in bad films -- proves that when given the right material he can act with the best of them .", "this is really sly 's movie as he slugs his way through a heartfelt performance and delivers some cracking punches , both literally and emotionally .", "as perfect a fit of star to role as any in cinematic history .", "give stallone credit for going the distance in this film and not going down", "fight pictures being rare , MOV succeeds as an offbeat entry by combining a cinderella story with a rich character study of a man who boxes because he does n't know much else .", "MOV is a real crowd-pleaser , not because it manipulates the audience but because it has heart .", "look past the sequels to see something special in sylvester stallone 's boxing classic .", "a paint-by-numbers inspirational sports film .", "i wanted to like it more than i did , but it 'll do .", "though far from a masterpiece , the first MOV -lrb- 1976 -rrb- still feels fresh and miraculous , a true cinderella story making sylvester stallone a worldwide star .", "sylvester stallone 's performance is sheer magic ; an authentic and touching portrait of a loser who becomes a winner in the things that matter .", "a great example of underdog sports cinema ." ], "summary": "this story of a down-on-his-luck boxer is thoroughly predictable , but sylvester stallone 's script and stunning performance in the title role brush aside complaints .", "id": "11405" }, { "movie": "mars_needs_moms", "reviews": [ "MOV is n't much of a movie , but it 's a great teaching tool for how not to make an animated film .", "instead of breathing life into cartoonist berkeley breathed 's cheeky kids morality tale , the movie - with all its 3-d motion capture animation flash - flatlines .", "an impersonal , borderline-mechanical experience book-ended by the dramatic warmth its middle hour has n't a speck of .", "introducing children to fun questions about evolution and gender politics , MOV is an odd , little hybrid of adventure and simplistic allegory .", "while wells 's ice-blue color scheme borrows from both `` tron '' films and a litany of `` star trek '' episodes , a majestic musical score by the great composer john powell somehow makes everything old feel fresh and wondrous again .", "aside from a relatively brief appearance by joan cusack 's avatar as the kidnapped mother , there are no involving characters or situations .", "mars may need moms , but earth needs good movies , and this is n't one of them .", "families may be pleasantly surprised to find this an often thrilling and imaginative ride for younger kids with a big helping of heart for parents .", "the movie is hampered by uninteresting characters , a predictable story and 3-d technology , which darkens even the brightest colors and detracts from the vibrancy of the tale .", "talk about setting the bar too low , especially in a movie that kids will be watching .", "MOV actually entertained me . there 's the bright colors and great 3d , but there 's also some touching moments and grown-up wit", "here is a movie that seems at war with the notion that animation can inspire or invigorate .", "a solid , vibrant family film that parents and young-ish nippers can enjoy together .", "MOV is n't as bad as you 've heard , nor is it as good as it could have been . will it entertain your family ? that depends on how much your kids like mo-cap technology , and how much attention they pay to the inner logic of a film .", "as with a good live-action movie , it all begins with the script , and this one is solid-well thought-out , briskly paced , funny and sweet . in the end , it 's the finished film that matters , not the process ...", "a disposable family adventure it more than fits the bill", "an extraordinary achievement in character expressiveness and realistic movement limited by a storyline for a pre-middle school audience .", "the whole fiasco turns out to be an excuse to let seth green play a -lrb- redubbed -rrb- little boy . next time , maybe just cast a real boy , build some sets in an old barn , and have mom make the costumes . -lsb- blu-ray 3d -rsb-", "infused with a half-baked psychedelic ethos , incorporating some rather incongruous imagery that is supposed to tie in with its simple-minded politics regarding ideas of child rearing and gender roles .", "MOV dares to venture into some sad , tragic territory which , in a perverse way , made the film a bit more enjoyable and prevented it from being completely underwhelming", "as used by zemeckis , ` performance capture ' technology turns actors into inferior simulacra of themselves . the effect of this ` realism ' is not just creepy but kitschy -- and even ugly when placed in this story 's anti-woman context ...", "... unobjectionable enough for undemanding kids ...", "what america does n't need is more of these live action animated movies .", "forget about the imax and 3-d , wait for the dvd .", "`` MOV '' is only consistent in that it 's a mess .", "darker than expected but with a good theme : moms are great .", "they took a small story , made it complicated and burdensome , filmed some actors performing it , turned those actors into affectless , mechanical cartoons , converted it to 3-d , and dropped it in theaters . wheeee !", "talk all you want about technique : a good animated film depends on story and character , and it 's those vital ingredients that make MOV so entertaining . it 's also", "it has the emotional gravity of a greeting card .", "part anti-feminist , anti-authoritarian screed , part insufferable culture-clash comedy , and part suitable space shenanigans that are nonetheless stranded in the uncanny valley .", "visually arresting and emotionally rich , MOV is another animated triumph from a rejuvenated disney animation .", "the computer approximation of joan cusack 's face looks like nothing . i do n't get how anyone can look at that and think , ` we 're onto something . next time we 'll tweak the cheeks a little more . '", "important note : if you are going to make a film whose moral is that mechanical objects can never replace people -lrb- or martians -rrb- , try not to make exactly that mistake .", "so , okay , men are completely irresponsible slobs , which is why women need to be unceasing nags . check . great message for the kids .", "... a solid computer-animated flick that should leave adults just as satisfied and entertained as kids .", "MOV is visually inventive and occasionally emotionally potent , but feels overly padded in its attempt to stretch such a short story to feature length .", "the animation , special effects and sound effects are top drawer . this family-friendly entertainment package comes with a lasting side benefit .", "this is just a big rollercoaster of a movie , filled with dazzling effects and funny creatures and the requisite five-hankie `` i love you , mom '' ending . but then , there are some weird gender political battles at play here .", "more dreary than fun .", "a fun , all-ages space adventure .", "i 'd rather watch hand puppets deliver clever dialogue than watch the most cutting-edge supercomputer-generated non-humans mouthing dull , uninspired nonsense .", "working against an ungainly title and a rather formulaic marketing campaign , pic is a modestly enjoyable performance-capture creation bearing the unmistakable imprint of producer robert zemeckis .", "MOV is so rambunctious that it snuffs out much of the story 's potential charm and pathos .", "the skill level of this motion capture animation is getting better all the time . so mars is accomplished at every level . but the three most important things in movies are story , story , story .", "with originality an alien concept , the film proves to be the equivalent of sci-fi-cinema training wheels .", "feels like an amalgamation of other animated films ' styles and storylines , assembled by a marketing department bent on hitting a demographic sweet spot rather than artists following their muse .", "-lsb- video -rsb- based on a children 's book by cartoonist berkeley breathed -lrb- known for his `` bloom county '' comic strip -rrb- , `` MOV '' is a tone-deaf animated disaster .", "light enough in tone , but plastic .", "after years of animators riding the post-pixar renaissance and filmgoers feasting on the fruits of their labor , we may have finally hit a collective moment of big-screen-toon fatigue .", "enhanced by nimble ad-libbing from the comedy-trained cast , the screenplay is delightful , by turns funny and emotional ...", "one tries to make sense of it this way and that and then leaves half admiring its outr\u00e9 visions of maternal care and coldness , half wishing its metaphorical swagger had either busted the story open or gotten out of its way .", "while the multi-level mars is an impressive backdrop there 's no getting past performance capture problems .", "the incoherent , over-complicated storyline is played with much too much gravity , and the few jokes are n't funny .", "none of it makes much sense , the characters are largely annoying and the underground martian city is drab and uninviting .", "family comedies about martians do n't need to be plausible exactly , but they need to be smart and entertaining . this one is ho-hum , so-so and so what ?", "it 's enjoyable enough , but a live-action movie with a better script would have been much more engaging", "good looks are about the only thing going for it .", "it 's an interplanetary clunker .", "wells 's fast-paced film mixes action , comedy and some heart-tugging emotion , delivering out of this world thrills to audiences of all ages .", "the story canters along at a merry pace and does n't outstay its welcome .", "it 's a stretch to stomach seth green 's face having been reverse-engineered onto that of a 9-year-old boy ... but MOV stands among few animated films able to scarcely broach that problematic uncanny valley .", "kids will enjoy this strangely touching tale about the bond between mothers and their children .", "an uninvolving mo-cap adventure that 's well below par . marvin the martian would be unhappy to share his planet with this bunch .", "-lsb- s -rsb- pectacularly mediocre ... there is n't a whole lot ... to really recommend moms beyond the fact that it 's not particularly offensive .", "it 's a solid , well-made family movie proving - as if it really needed to be said - that mum is the word .", "the ` polar express ' - style cg-meets-live-action visuals are creepy and flat , the characters are largely nonexistent and the story takes so many short cuts that it becomes meaningless ...", "makes you long for the parentless state of the martians the movie depicts , who kidnap a mother and inadvertently whisk up her little son during a mom-harvesting trip to earth .", "89 minutes of ... near-lifeless ` animated ' characters who are constantly struggling to break through the stifling limitations of ` motion capture ' technology .", "mars may need moms , but does earth need this movie ?", "do n't be put off by the title . wells harnesses 3d mo-cap wizardry for a children 's adventure that balances storytelling and sci-fi .", "the film looks neither fully real nor fully imagined , which could be forgiven if MOV had something more to offer besides its nifty technology .", "the film 's production values are almost enough to make the film 's monumental shortcomings worth overlooking . but only almost .", "MOV is precisely the sort of mess that just grows more depressing the more one ruminates on it .", "`` mars '' needs mom more than the filmmakers seem to realize .", "mars does n't need moms , and earth does n't need this movie", "succeeds both as a sci-fi adventure and as a familial love story .", "`` MOV '' does n't crash-land into `` yogi bear '' territory , but it definitely does n't soar to `` toy story 3 '' heights of animated grandeur .", "an entertaining , accomplished movie that shows off what its signature technology can do ...", "superlative craftsmanship but only the first segment is intriguing .", "one of those mediocre computer-animated kidflicks that seem to come along every couple of weeks nowadays ... desperately needs more imagination , charm and heart .", "the perfect family film in every way , moms , dads , kids and even those martians are gon na love this funny , warm and wonderful tale .", "motion-capture animation takes a giant step backwards with this unappealing outer-space adventure .", "mars needs to work out how to animate humans so they do n't look like possessed shop window dummies .", "most kids -lrb- and any accompanying parents -rrb- will find this to be of a noticeably lower standard than many of the other children 's films that have been released recently .", "full review at movies for the masses", "children are unlikely to enjoy it , and parents will be aching for a few stiff drinks in a mars bar long before it 's over .", "offers yet more proof that performance capture is a terrible idea when it comes to making fully animated feature films .", "what really sells this fabulous , kid-friendly 3d adventure to anybody over eight -lrb- no offense , kids -rrb- is its astonishing visuals , which uses motion-capture technology to a degree that surpasses what we saw in avatar .", "if MOV had not have been produced using the mo-cap process -- which still has n't fixed the problem where some folk have a spooky , neither-alive-nor-dead look -- it might have stood more chance of finding an audience .", "MOV becomes a stunning achievement not only in the visual and action stakes but emotionally as well , with a heartbreaking clarity putting into perspective the love and sacrifices that good mothers make for their children .", "the credited director is simon wells -lrb- the time machine -rrb- , but the grotesque characters and dark action bear the zemeckis stamp .", "energetic and inspired -lrb- sans fogler -rrb- , the picture concludes on a high note , providing the intergalactic goods with spirit , only one critical miscasting away from true satisfaction .", "what 's missing , especially in an era when we 've invested so much hope for extraterrestrial life by sending real probes to the real mars , is a sense of wonder .", "lively , richly animated with intriguing motion capture fluidity , and pleasingly designed with special attention to sprawling martian environments , the feature is nearly sunk by the efforts of co-star dan fogler .", "the 3d imax visuals do impress , but the subtext - that if you behave well , the martians will zap your mother 's brain - is a little out of this world .", "it 's based on a children 's book by berkeley breathed , creator of the classic comic `` bloom county , '' so there 's a shaggy , countercultural vibe ; if you get in the groove , it 's a hoot .", "red and battle : convoluted story , motion capture sucks warmth out of every scene", "the tone baffles and wobbles . this is one of the least visually appealing films ever to go out under the disney banner .", "no movie called MOV has any right being this good . but it is .", "green makes a whiny hero , and dan fogler -lrb- as his buddy on mars -rrb- fails to amuse . plus , why is milo 's stay-at-home mom a saint and the working alien moms evil ?", "very young children may enjoy this sweet-natured , old-fashioned , simplistic tale , but the movie suffers from the same problems evident in zemeckis ' previous animated productions", "if breathed 's style could have been applied to the animation , this offbeat story would have a better chance at success . instead , we 're left with a kids ' movie that leaves audiences cold .", "the best way to enjoy `` MOV '' ? skip the movie and watch the closing credits .", "the motion-capture animation technique has come a long way since robert zemeckis -lrb- a producer on this film -rrb- introduced it in the polar express , but what 's missing too often is the human element , especially during all the rambunctious activity on mars .", "mars - in this case - needs more than moms .", "surprisingly touching adventure has sad moments amid comedy .", "it has its heart in the right place , and earns its few moments of emotional resonance , but they do n't elevate the story past the thoroughly commonplace .", "the awe-inspiring 3-d work offers a richly textured , luxuriously detailed vision of life on mars .", "even though MOV is n't female-friendly , mothers looking for quality time with 6 - to 12-year-old boys could do worse than book group passage there soon .", "it seems that it 's time to admit that dressing actors in led-studded catsuits , asking them to give performances on sterile white sets and handing the results to a team of computer animators is not a way to make a good movie .", "a flat , uninvolving , and annoying sci-fi and 3d animated film" ], "summary": "the cast is solid and it 's visually well-crafted , but MOV suffers from a lack of imagination and heart .", "id": "770873458" }, { "movie": "trembling-before-gd", "reviews": [ "an unexpectedly moving family portrait of cousins we did n't know we had .", "a sensitive and eye-opening documentary .", "moving and , ultimately , hopeful -- a hope that extends further than most documentaries allow .", "trembling before g-d , by no stretch a well constructed documentary film , is an important breakthrough for jewish orthodoxy because ignoring a consistent problem helps no one .", "the film helpfully translates onscreen some of the hebrew words of the interviewees for the benefit of goyim whose only exposure to the hasidim has been yentl .", "a profoundly touching look at the plight of gay orthodox jews who are trying to integrate their sexuality with their religious beliefs . while the style is not innovative , the subject matter is groundbreaking .", "powerful documentary about the struggle of gay and lesbian orthodox jews to reconcile their beliefs and their desires", "it offers several interesting insights into the seemingly incongruous matters of homosexuality and orthodox religion .", "a heavy subject for any filmmaker to broach , and it definitely exceeds the skills of first-time director sandi simcha dubowski .", "this insightful documentary simmers with a fury that 's passionate enough not to need spelling out .", "the human face it puts on the objects of intolerance speaks to discrimination at large in all its ugly forms . its a moving and important piece of filmmaking", "trembling before g-d has no answers to the questions it raises , but by daring to ask them , dubowski has done much to lighten the shadows .", "gay orthodox jews have their say .", "poignantly tackles a quandary of faith and sexuality .", "with its testimony of anguish and joy , trembling is a tribute to the human spirit , if not to the institutions that seek to define it .", "you do n't have to wear a yarmulke or even be jewish to be affected by this traumatic story of religious intolerance .", "dubowski 's skillful documentary techniques aid in creating compassion for these outsiders .", "dubowski 's sympathies are clear , but he does n't preach or condemn , preferring to find hope for a future reconciliation between the people he features and the rich , venerable traditions of their heritage .", "does an incisive job in defining the contradictory natures of orthodox judaism and homosexuality , and honoring the condemned people caught in the middle .", "my heart sang as i saw how much these tortured souls loved their ways and beliefs and how much stock they put in them .", "a four-star yarmulke-shaker", "fascinating documentary .", "dubowski 's subject is so compelling that the film does n't suffer from his traditional approach , which relies on to-the-camera interviews and verite footage of his subjects .", "... contains more real humanity than any film i 've seen recently , and the issues remain relevant to anyone who is either gay or devoutly religious .", "this is the best documentary i have seen in 2001 .", "the stories told ... are very compelling , interesting and often moving , but they do not and can not explain the religious belief that those persecuted still want comfort from even as they challenge its dictums .", "a remarkable and moving accomplishment .", "workmanlike and steadfastly well-intentioned .", "while the compiled testimony is strong , some larger context is missing .", "this is a brave , groundbreaking film .", "deserves praise for penetrating this close-knit religious community and revealing the private suffering of some of its most conflicted believers .", "... an engaging document of the human condition .", "a compelling illustration of the all-too-human need for acceptance and approval .", "... the film succeeds in shedding revealing light on a group of individuals who are particularly reluctant to face a camera lens .", "... an emotional kaleidoscope , and a masterpiece .", "it 's that dilemma -- a commitment to orthodox life , the refusal to deny one 's sexuality and the fear of expulsion once that sexuality is revealed -- that director sandi simcha dubowski illustrates so powerfully .", "... deeply moving and exceptionally gracious piece of documentary filmmaking .", "an intelligent and often moving film .", "a remarkable film , for thoughtful people of all beliefs .", "sandi simcha dubowski 's wonderful documentary , trembling before g-d , extends a warm embrace to those struggling to reconcile sexual orientation with the teachings of the religion in which they were raised and which they cherish .", "bravely , carefully , urgently , dubowski addresses a subject long concealed by multiple barriers .", "scores points courtesy of its deeply interesting subject matter ... -lsb- but director -rsb- dubowski does n't ask the truly tough psychoanalytical questions of her subjects .", "suprisingly , the documentary is so free of rancour and so filled with love for the religion that it has actually inspired some audience members to raise their hands after screenings and ask how they can convert .", "so how do gay men and lesbians who want to practice orthodox judaism reconcile these two seemingly contradictory forces in their lives ? director sandi simcha dubowski 's trembling before g-d examines this dilemma with compassion and sensitivity .", "to the film 's considerable credit , it focuses on the power of faith more than on the power of desire .", "a unique documentary about the crisis confronting gay and lesbian jews who wish to remain part of the orthodox and hasidic branches of judaism .", "this portrayal never becomes anything more than a typical ` talking heads ' doc .", "everyone , including adherents of other faiths which treat gays much the same , should find food for thought in this fine film .", "the orthodox and hasidic jewish version of arthur dong 's superior family fundamentals .", "dubowski has made a loving documentary that ably leavens its tears with the healing balm of humor : a consummately jewish way to go .", "given the inherent interest of the subject , it 's unfortunate that the people dubowski profiles tend to be self-indulgent or otherwise unappealing .", "the personal stories in sandi simcha dubowski 's film are as beautifully and softly braided as challah bread .", "dubowski latches on to a provocative subject and invests it with a compelling tenderness .", "dubowski 's sober , scrupulous documentary does n't lash out at an oppressive religious structure so much as offer a hopeful prayer -- out of love and devotion -- that it be made better .", "the central premise of the film is an important one , especially for those in similar situations .", "a poignant doc about how gay jews try to deal with the biblical prohibition against homosexual acts .", "it 's definitely geared toward a specific demographic , and it should serve that demographic well .", "short , but emotionally effective ." ], "summary": "trembling before g-d looks at the effects of religious morality on believers whose sexuality falls outside the accepted norm with intelligence and compassion .", "id": "19701" }, { "movie": "robots", "reviews": [ "this giddy exposition is polished in its nostalgic atmospheric look but has been assembled with the simplistic precision of piecing together a tonka toy truck", "cleverly clanky and colorful .", "if only they had taken another year to create a story worthy of the design !", "`` MOV '' is fraught with silly one-liners , plot contrivances and predictable solutions . there 's nothing for mature minds except toilet humor .", "... in a world populated by living machines , not a single soul can be found ...", "mechanically solid , and that 's all most youngsters will care about .", "although MOV has great animation , wonderful visual invention , and a few clever jokes , it has no compelling characters or story to hold them together .", "priceless special effects of the cast talking about doing the voices of these mechanical ` bots with a heart ...", "the story holds it back from the `` classic '' status ... all the same , MOV is cute and colorful . kids will love it and parents will be entertained enough not to mind .", "does not suffer from shark tale syndrome ; instead a good story with a good message and great performances .", "full review in greek", "far more interested in yelling ` look what we can do ! ' than in developing any of its characters or livening up its recycled story .", "the movie 's admirable theme , that there are things more important than profit , comes across under the virtuoso visuals that peak when endless falling dominos turn into a veritable ocean of the little black blocks being surfed by a robot .", "the film is very imaginative and you need to see it several times to appreciate the humor .", "a fun ride with plenty of laughs , excitement and touching moments about living out your dreams no matter your make , model or build .", "an innate awareness that generating underarm faux flatulence is difficult when you 're made of metal , but not impossible , is just the spirit we need to see more often .", "a computer-generated animated adventure featuring few product placements , which is quite a departure from the norm for such children 's fare .", "the subject of MOV is reduced to a cute story rather than being motivated by a substantial theme .", "endearing `` follow your dreams '' story with plenty of laughs .", "a technically fine looking yet dull-as-drill-bits movie whose busy animation creates 90 minutes of chaos onscreen ." ], "summary": "MOV delights on a visual level , but the story feels like it came off an assembly line .", "id": "22" }, { "movie": "the_wicker_man_2006", "reviews": [ "nearly all of what made the 1973 film such an unforgettable cinematic experience is lost in translation .", "cage lumbers around in full-on shouty mode and his character is never particularly likeable ... whilst decent actresses like frances conroy and ellen burstyn are given very little to do beyond trying to keep a straight face .", "neil labute -- who never met a story he could n't turn into a paranoid castration fantasy -- dumbs things down enough to insult the stupid .", "by the time he 's running through the woods in a bear suit , it 's hard to take any of it seriously .", "bad idea . bad film .", "MOV 's long journey through the decades and across the ocean has led somewhere no one could have predicted , or wanted .", "neil labute 's remake of the british horror classic is as wooden as its titular effigy ... and wholly unnecessary .", "the '73 film is brilliantly constructed and ends with a punctuation mark that was shocking in its day . labute 's movie attempts to shock , as well , and does : given the names involved and the casting of cage , it is shockingly bad .", "click to read full review", "labute 's remake could be an atonement , a perversely clever way of turning the gun on himself ... or a conspiracy theorist 's invective against a gender he fears and loathes .", "neil labute 's remake is a disastrous miscalculation , shucking religion completely and instead fashioning the tale as a battle between upstanding male dominance and wicked feminist doctrine .", "let 's just say that sometimes the best-laid plans of mice and men -- and movie-makers -- go up in smoke .", "this film falls into the ` good wierd ' catagory-even if you do n't care for it , you will love telling people about it .", "a castration-anxiety companion piece to ` the da vinci code , ' only this time the ` suppression of the female ' is responsible for a murderous island cult of goddess-worshipping honey harvesters ...", "the blatancy of the outcome siphons any intended suspense , already padded by an overbearingly atmospheric score .", "i 've seen many ill-advised horror remakes in my time . MOV may be the worst ever .", "part of the original 's effectiveness derived from the main character , whose strong religious convictions were ultimately used against him in the most sinister of ways , a dimension the new film is sorely lacking .", "neil labute 's utterly misconceived remake of robin hardy 's 1973 cult horror film is a boring , fright-free catastrophe .", "so hilarious it 's entertaining , `` MOV '' is fairly aflame with ridiculous moments .", "so bad that it 's scary .", "rotten , risible , rubbish . one of the year 's worst films .", "MOV occupies some silly , nebulous middle ground between mystery and horror .", "i may be alone in this -- and you 'll have to give it the benefit of a lot of doubt -- but i thought it was interesting .", "... does n't much bother with such niceties as a credible creed or an internally consistent plot .", "the plot is nonsensical but the cast and edenic setting is worth a look .", "despite retaining significant chunks of shaffer 's dialogue to go along with the basic story structure , labute has transformed the eerie , disturbing psychological thriller into an unintentional comedy .", "`` every time i turn my head , '' he sputters , `` there 's something that does n't make any sense . '' exactly .", "... intentionally or not , in reimagining this classic he 's created in the company of women without the satire .", "two train wrecks ' worth of silliness and a couple carloads of nonsense .", "i do n't know whether this remake is faithful . did the original include a scene in which the leading man puts on a bear costume in an effort to infiltrate cultists ?", "idiotic , presumptuous and definitely unnecessary .", "MOV is comically inept as a horror movie , unable to even manage an effective false scare , or sustain suspense for more than a beat or two .", "to his credit cage plays it with an admirably straight face , even when mugging a woman for her bear costume . but then he must have known from the beginning he was backing a loser .", "the whole movie is a wicker doll % u2013 competently constructed and empty in the middle .", "nic meets his ex-fianc\u00e9 , willow , whose submarine-sized lips seem to be gradually folding around her head like a collagen venus flytrap .", "the movie 's depiction of an evil matriarchal society is so over-the-top ... one almost wonders if labute is intentionally aiming for laughs .", "watching cage karate chop leelee `` made-for-tv '' sobiesky into submission is almost worth the price of admission . well , assuming admission was free .", "i 'd look more kindly on neil labute 's profoundly silly movie ... if i thought he meant any of it in jest , if any of it were winking at us even a little .", "unintentionally one of the funniest movies of the summer . too bad it 's supposed to be a thriller .", "labute 's meandering and goofy-minded horror/suspense thriller wicker will garner more spontaneous chuckles than an overactive feather tickling a sensitive underarm .", "strips away all that was fascinatingly subtextual and deliciously provocative about that unforgettably moody 1973 cult masterpiece , and then pisses on its bare corpse .", "there are also moments that are so unintentionally funny i wish they 'd bring back mystery science theater 3000 to give this movie a good ribbing .", "instead of maintaining a mysterious tone to follow its suspenseful opening scenes , ` MOV ' soon turns into something almost laughable .", "... burstyn simply should have known that any film that required her to make up like mel gibson in braveheart and run through fields flapping her arms was a bad move .", "human sacrifice and a stringent lesbian cult ... what 's not to like ?", "labute 's art-house misogyny + warner bros ' need for a late-summer horror flick + a niche mood exercise that does n't exactly scream for the multiplex treatment = one big mess .", "ill-advised hollywood remake .", "though downgraded perhaps in comparison to the 1973 original , this version is competent enough and holds sufficient suspense .", "the whole thing is transparently a concoction , and so even though the movie holds you , its climax lacks that tingle of madness . all that 's burning is some sticks .", "the original wicker man had its flaws , particularly in the lumpy pacing . labute 's thoroughly inessential remake not only lovingly reproduces those flaws , it introduces a slew of new ones .", "this certainly wo n't be a favorite of gloria steinem .", "labute saves his big guns for the ending - but by the time you 've seen cage in a bear suit and burstyn in braveheart blue-face , no ending is going to save him .", "the film is being marketed as a horror thriller , but it lacks suspense and is never particularly scary . it 's just weak , and the misogyny that has always animated labute 's work is really tired . man , give it a rest already .", "the wicker mangled .", "labute 's remake is an interesting idea that never transforms into a particularly satisfying movie .", "this was n't a horror film the first time around , and labute makes sorry feints at effective creepiness .", "for viewers , the biggest challenge may be holding back screams of laughter as summersisle is revealed to be the island of awful acting . ... the original film ended with a sudden shock , this one climaxes with high hilarity .", "if a successful marriage were ever engineered to join this artist 's personal heaven and hell , these late cinematic offspring might finally be as vigorous as his firstborn .", "the first wicker man was about a cult . the remake is more about a dolt .", "cage over the years has more than earned a reputation as an actor who is not afraid to embarrass himself , but in the cause of MOV , that seems less a commendation than a horrible misjudgment .", "holy psychosexual issues , labute-man !", "critics will readily seize on the new film 's quirks and deem it a turkey . but the film has many -lrb- moderate -rrb- strengths .", "it is perhaps a tad unreasonable to recommend that actor nicolas cage and writer/director neil labute be burned at the stake for what they 've done to MOV , that most british of cult movies .", "bracket the summer with this warner bros. flop and that opening disaster , poseidon and you ca n't help but notice how long it 's been since warners did anything worth noting that was n't a remake .", "MOV is misconceived , miscast and , where suspense is concerned , thinner than a katie couric publicity photo .", "really could have used a few musical numbers and more cavorting naked women .", "i had no idea MOV remake was a comedy .", "writer-director neil labute 's remake of the 1973 british movie MOV should have had ` do n't make me ! ' stamped on the first page of the script .", "the funniest bad movie since aeon flux .", "i can see where labute is going ... but the end result is unintentionally hilarious", "in the final act of MOV , when nicolas cage has donned a bear suit , you have to wonder just what it is you 're watching .", "... there 's just something inherently entertaining about watching -lsb- nicolas cage -rsb- one-up himself every few minutes ...", "laughable , awful , and downright ridiculous .", "nicolas cage gives the worst performance of his career opposite kate beahen in this useless update of robin hardy 's far creepier 1973 original suspense movie based on anthony shaffer 's novel .", "when MOV offers more laughs than talladega nights , it might be a sign for the auteur to switch brands to comedy", "labute has replaced the seduction of the first film with a general sense of bewilderment and loss ; it 's good for building tension but does n't fit with the payoff . the plot elements lead where they need to go well enough but do n't mix particularly well .", "an exploitative mystery horror film in which edward woodward overacts his heart out .", "sometimes a movie hits the rarest of heights , in fact , some may refer to it as a low . a film that 's so utterly bad it 's actually good .", "... features an over-the-top leading man utilizing every single tic in his arsenal that has ever been impersonated by a comedian , and doing so seemingly with gleeful abandon and blissful unawareness", "it 's a troubled strangeness - the uncommon sight of a literate studio film extolling messages most literate audiences ca n't get behind - that makes the movie 's whole presence fascinating .", "yet another needless 're - imagining ' of a '70s cult fave that , truth to tell , is better remembered than actually viewed , neil labute 's folly follows the basic plot outline of the 1974 brit horror opus of the same title .", "all in all , i would categorize MOV as an interesting failure .", "a half-compelling , half-goofy and half-redundant piece of remake revisionism . -lrb- yes , that 's three halves , but it 's that weird a movie . -rrb-", "the sense of dread that should pervade every frame of film is nowhere to be found . it plays like an expensively produced commercial for some organic product grown with loving care by devotees of all-natural farming and/or animal husbandry", "-lsb- labute -rsb- turns shaffer 's compelling war of beliefs -- doctrinaire calvinism vs. dogmatic animism , each as rewarding and demanding as the other -- into a wishy-washy clash between ` normal society ' and womynist weirdos .", "all the fertility rites in the secluded pacific northwest island of summersisle ca n't bring life to neil labute 's barren remake of 1973 's MOV .", "it 's never as scary or suspenseful as it aspires to be , but it might just be the greatest bad movie of the year , with its clunky writing resulting in some surprisingly entertaining kooky moments .", "nicolas cage 's finest hours are not spent frantically running through a forest in MOV , especially when he must do so dressed in a bear suit .", "ahhhhhh , what a waste of talent ! for shame !!!!", "far more ambitious and stylish than most of today 's horror crop , neil labute 's remake of the 1973 u.k. cult classic MOV unfortunately still falls far short of its mark .", "in the remake , labute has cage beating up women with karate kicks , and has placed an insulting coda on the film that screams of studio intervention of the worst kind . this is not progress .", "something wicker this way comes ... and you 'd be advised to stay away .", "the gimmicky horror-flick conventions ultimately drag the film to a screeching halt .", "the most risible backwoods thriller since m. night shyamalan traveled to the village .", "when he was reading the script , and saw the part of the movie where he is supposed to run through the forest in a bear suit , i hope cage asked for a huge pay raise .", "... you wonder if maybe the filmmakers know they 've cooked a turkey and have decided to just embrace it -lrb- surely they could have found cage a less ridiculous animal outfit -rrb- .", "this is the kind of film for which golden raspberries were invented .", "labute does a decent job of translating it to 2006 , but the idea behind it just is n't as cool as it once was .", "the pacing of MOV never escaped the velocity of a trotting horse . think of an old man making his way across the room , on a walker , to get at the jello cups .", "a truly odd , yet unmistakably engaging , remake ." ], "summary": "puzzlingly misguided , neil labute 's update MOV struggles against unintentional comedy and fails .", "id": "287864910" }, { "movie": "1046129-fugitive", "reviews": [ "in a genre where one is almost always asked to allow leaps of logic , the script repeatedly astonished me with its intelligence , its attention to detail and its respect for the audience .", "if you were expecting subtlety , you should have your head examined , but this money machine works like gangbusters .", "frenetically-paced , nail biting action . rarely do an anti-hero -lrb- tommy lee jones -rrb- and a hero -lrb- ford -rrb- blend with such tense and charismatic perfection .", "the pacing is terrific and the action always kept on a realistic level , even when it 's clearly over the top .", "as nail-biters go , this one will have you down to the nubs .", "both stars have toughness and restraint that make their characters ' battle of wits truly hypnotic , and in many ways more credible than it was on television .", "... still stands up today as it did eight years ago as the definitive example of how to make a summer movie right -lrb- heck ; how to make any movie right -rrb- .", "good but overrated . exciting , but mystery falls short . bad guy comes out of nowhere .", "this swiftly paced who-dunnit is about as good as hollywood action-thrillers get .", "not only did they get their smarts by casting harrison ford and the engimatic tommy lee jones , they wrote a script -lrb- screenplay by jeb stuart and david twohy -rrb- that was filled with tension , sprinkled with suspense , choca-bloc with action , and for the most p", "fast-paced and slickly enjoyable chase thriller .", "overrated , but fun .", "excellent battle-of-wits thriller led by stars harrison ford and tommy lee jones .", "the opening scene is powerful and puts you on the edge . this film works !", "ford and jones make admirable adversaries , ford a resourceful but vulnerable hero and jones a tough and relentless cop with a touch of compassion ...", "a hair-raising , adrenaline-charged chase movie .", "a fast-paced action-adventure picture written large upon the screen . it 's helped along , in this case , by a couple of things : some fine performances , especially from the two leads , and the collective cultural memory of lots and lots of baby-boomers .", "relentless action + strong ford and tommy lee performances make this a classic .", "very good , but not perfect .", "one of the most exciting , intelligent , and all-around brilliant action films ever to hit the silver screen .", "a glossy , formula chase movie with the requisite number of extravagant action sequences -lrb- most notably a massive train crash -rrb- .", "in a morally confused age , a take-no-prisoner , seemingly heartless predator like tommy lee jones ' gerard could easily be elected to high political office .", "the film treats this profoundly preposterous plot as if it were a serious idea .", "while there are actors in this film , there is n't much room for acting . the rapid editing and near-absence of dialogue reduces the actors to action figures with colorful labels pasted on their foreheads .", "the MOV is a super-adrenalized stemwinder , a crisp and jolting melodrama that screws the tension so pitilessly tight it does everything but squeak .", "it 's a pleasure to find a thriller fulfilling its duties with such gusto : the emotions ring solid , the script finds time to relax into backchat , and for once the stunts look like acts of desperation rather than shows of prowess .", "i 've already seen the MOV twice . i 'll probably see it again .", "the MOV runs hard and true the whole way through .", "thoroughly engaging , edge-of-the-seat entertainment .", "a sparkling suspense picture .", "harrison ford is awfully good , as usual , looking genuinely frantic and haggard for the first time since , well , frantic .", "`` innovative '' is not a legitimate description of the MOV , but `` entertaining '' is .", "davis paints with bold visual strokes so that the movie rises above its action-film origins and becomes operatic .", "a juggernaut of exaggeration , momentum and thrills .", "heart-pounding thriller with great acting .", "it is n't just a high-powered summer blockbuster . it 's something cannier -lrb- and rarer -rrb- : a suspense thriller rooted in character .", "the film is so stylish , so funny and so heart-stopping in its suspense that the audience simply does n't care about flaws .", "a terrific thriller that may stretch the credulity of the audience at times , but leaves them well-entertained for better than two hours .", "directed for maximum impact by andrew davis , this contains enough suspenseful set-pieces , clever red herrings and spectacular stuntwork to satisfy most thriller aficionados , yet what really makes the movie work are the performances by ford and jones .", "an action film heavyweight and purely excellent masterpiece ...", "working from a tight script by jeb stuart and david twohy , director andrew davis has fashioned a crackling , intelligent thriller .", "in many ways the MOV represents the pinnacle of a genre not much in style any more : the suspense/action picture .", "the film is little more than a well-oiled machine that serves a strictly limited function , but like a precision timepiece , it is a thing to marvel at , even under close scrutiny .", "for dynamite suspense loaded with thrills and wicked fun , you ca n't beat the MOV .", "andrew davis provides some memorable set-pieces in this impressive adaptation of the '60s tv series. ;", "just when you thought the movies had been given over to special effects departments and the high-tech fantasies that sustain them , along comes the MOV -- a good , old-fashioned drama with unsettling shivers of suspense .", "ford is fine as the innocent surgeon who is wrongfully convicted of the murder of his wife and sets off to find the real killer . but the movie is stolen from under his nose by tommy lee jones , who gives an oscar-winning performance .", "no fewer than six editors stitched his shots together , giving the most hard-hitting scenes a furious rhythm that contributes greatly to their impact .", "... as far as the chase genre goes , there have been worse films -lrb- better ones , too -rrb- .", "a flurry of stunts , close shaves and deeds of desperate daring , it easily transcends its television origins to become a stylish pacemaker-buster on the order of `` die hard , md. . ''", "one of the better attempts at turning a tv show into a movie .", "tommy lee jones offers the fun and drive of this largely implausible but highly enjoyable remake of the popular tv series .", "a consummate nail-biter that never lags , it leaves you breathless from the chase yet anxious for the next bit of mayhem or clever plot twist .", "the performances transform this otherwise orthodox cat-and-mouse movie into a gripping experience .", "though it 's a good half hour too long , this overblown 1993 spin-off of the 60s tv show otherwise adds up to a pretty good suspense thriller .", "harrison ford mostly just runs and fights , but that 's o.k. running , after all , is what fugitives are supposed to do .", "a rare example of everything in the hollywood machine coming together in the right way at the right time and working perfectly .", "taut , effective serial-chase story .", "real escapist cinema .", "a first-rate thriller ." ], "summary": "exhilarating and intense , this high-impact chase thriller is a model of taut and efficient formula filmmaking , and it features harrison ford at his frantic best .", "id": "12168" }, { "movie": "cobb", "reviews": [ "it 's unclear just how much sympathy we are to extend the unrepentant and bullying title character .", "shelton 's film is about the nature of truth and popular myth , about the single-minded pursuit of glory , and the horrors within . it 's also very funny .", "MOV turns into a noisy , cantankerous buddy picture .", "the result , whether MOV is wailing about greatness or ruminating about the dark circumstances around his father 's death , is a performance too operatic and out of control .", "-lsb- jones -rsb- lets it all loose here . it 's the performance of a lifetime : full of menace and venom , eloquence and fire , rot and pathos , crackling rawness and realism .", "jones ' on-target portrayal of the dying athlete is mesmerizing .", "this is a messy movie , sometimes repetitive , sometimes too compressed and allusive . but that 's like saying ty MOV was not a very good sport -- irrelevant in comparison to the horrific fascination of his story .", "the movie never equals the performance , but still fascinating to watch .", "massively underrated .", "it 's the kind of film where you admire the craftsmanship and artistry while questioning the wisdom of the project itself .", "it 's such a potent and courageous wreck of a movie that it 's worth more than most ` successes . '", "tommy lee jones is superb in the title role , but writer-director ron shelton unwisely chose to structure the film as a two-character piece , thus placing undue attention on the lackluster character of MOV 's biographer , al stump .", "of all the good and great movies that have slipped through the cracks in recent years , none has been treated as appallingly as MOV .", "pleasant ? no . but the new biographical film MOV , about baseball great ty MOV , is certainly engrossing -- primarily due to a smashing lead performance by tommy lee jones .", "it 's not enough , and you end up feeling -- despite jones ' dead-on performance -- like you 've been cheated . it looks good . it feels right . it gets the job done ... . but there 's nothing there . just like MOV . maybe that 's the point .", "director shelton is a master at locker room drama , and helped by a towering performance of snarling egomania and drug-fuelled bitterness from jones , he tackles the dichotomies of -lsb- MOV -rsb- with engaging enthusiasm .", "when jones is front and center , the movie mesmerizes .", "shelton 's strong , stinging film -- one of the year 's best -- wants to get at something ingrained in the american character : the irrational desire to make saints of sports heroes .", "completely enthralling from first frame to last , MOV is a fascinating , uncompromising portrait of a rage-filled , contradictory man fighting his own private war with the world .", "tommy lee jones gives an uncompromisingly volcanic performance as the psychotic bigot , one of baseball greatest players , known for his aggressive conduct , racism , and sexism .", "completely uncompromising in a way that films , especially sports films , just are n't .", "if you 're looking for a sugary-sweet baseball hero story , this ai n't it ; but it is an entertaining story about a great ex-player who could make albert belle look like mother theresa .", "even allowing for the intentional excesses of such an episode , delicacy is a casualty here .", "despite jones ' performance , it 's a disappointing biopic", "an enjoyably gruff and candid baseball biopic .", "this movie is two hours of jones acting badly and wuhl looking drawn .", "um excelente trabalho de tommy lee jones .", "this histrionic portrait of the most celebrated cur in sports history comes across like a fly ball that thuds on the ground .", "MOV 's accomplishments on the ball field would make for an absorbing documentary , but it 's the passions and pitfalls of his private life that dominate ron shelton 's melodramatic film .", "MOV cuts right through the winner-take-all ethos of american athletics . it 's a raw , inspired , audaciously funny , and unexpectedly moving collaboration between the writer-director ron shelton and tommy lee jones .", "unfortunately , the movie just makes stump look like a self-important jerk , possibly a bigger jerk than MOV , and wuhl 's affable , weightless performance does n't help .", "stump is well-played by affable robert wuhl , who has the unenviable responsibility of representing the one sane man in ty 's crazy universe .", "to watch tommy lee jones re-create the persona of the hall of famer in MOV is to encounter the greatest sob ever to come down the pike -- in or out of the domain of sports . the trek is hardly entertaining .", "while the story of MOV himself is a worthy one -lrb- shelton 's treatment , believe it or not , even has its similarities to orson welles ' citizen kane -rrb- , shelton shortchanges the very game that made the man famous .", "most biopics mistakenly try to take us from cradle to grave and end up skimming the surface . the wisdom of MOV is that writer-director ron shelton knows that the close study of a single day can decode a human life .", "a curiously gripping amalgam of patton , citizen kane and melvin and howard .", "tommy lee jones gets mad respect for this .", "ron shelton , whose bull durham and white men ca n't jump were jokey tales of disillusionment set in the sporting world , here redefines the life of an idol with a certain honest savagery .", "ty MOV is such a towering figure in this motion picture that it 's easy to overlook al stump -- and robert wuhl 's feisty , witty performance in the thankless role ." ], "summary": "tommy lee jones 's searing performance helps to elevate MOV above your typical sports biopic ; he 's so effective , in fact , that some may find the film unpleasant .", "id": "13673" }, { "movie": "monsters_vs_aliens", "reviews": [ "MOV is skilfully animated and spasmodically funny , but you get the impression the film 's seven -lrb- ! -rrb- writers ran out of ideas two-thirds of the way through .", "... the first really memorable film of 2009 , and clearly the most fun .", "engagingly nerdy movie in-jokes are clearly a step in the right direction for dreamworks after the rather crass and bombastic approach of the shrek movies .", "a comprehensively entertaining package . if there 's a lack of originality , the film is bolstered by the sheer verve of the animation and effects .", "the movie never grows a heart , which does n't stop it trying to tattoo one onto its chest . by the whizz-bang climax inside the alien mothership , i was fidgeting like a four-year-old at cosi fan tutte .", "it 's all very good value , although i have a vague feeling that a gallery of freaky sci-fi creatures , as in monsters inc , may not engage the young audience 's sympathies as much as humanoids . great fun , anyway .", "despite being second out of the 3d traps after bolt , their first special-specs-required outing is at least as eye-catching as pixar 's oscar-nominated pacesetter . occasionally , it 's even better .", "heart and soul are sacrificed for sequences of loud characters pinballing across the screen in search of an easy laugh . the whole endeavour is an unsubtle , in your face cg-animated assault from dreamworks .", "a snappy script and some neat 3d make for an above-average romp with plenty of in-jokes for cineastes and fan-boys alike .", "dreamworks animation tries something new , but we prefer its talking-animal comedies madagascar and kung fu panda .", "this is a typical dreamworks animation -lrb- to be seen in 3d -rrb- : light , playful , self-reflexive with nostalgic view of 50s sci-fi and horror , in which the freshness is not so much in ideas as in the actors and voices , dominated by sexy and shapely witherspoon .", "a host of minor issues , none of them too debilitating on its own , combine to create a feeling of moderate underachievement .", "as with any good cartoon , the animators mix visual stunts with rimshot-worthy one-liners and verbal gags .", "by the dvd release -- and definitely by next year -- audiences will demand more effort than everyone at dreamworks -lrb- excluding the animators -rrb- seems willing to exert .", "sure storytelling takes second place - the visuals are always the main event , but there 's plenty to keep youngsters and their parents engrossed ...", "jumping yet another notch , this 3d animation is great technology in service of entertaining storytelling -- the result is a jaw dropping fantasy in which the filmmakers have happily kept the novelties of 3d to a minimum .", "cute and clever and often entertaining , but never quite lives up to the potential of the premise nor is it as funny as you might hope based on the talent involved .", "classic creatures from the 1950s get a high-tech makeover , with a healthy amount of attitude , in the 3-d animated monsters vs. aliens .", "kids and their parents will thrill at the sheer loud spectacle and inventiveness of it all ...", "with a witty script and a collection of adorable characters , monsters does n't have a lot of emotional depth , but it 's a well-designed crowd-pleaser .", "the humor is dry , the sentiment unapologetic , and the absurdity sublime", "the grandeur of the effects -- the honest-to-god spectacle of the thing -- elevates monsters vs. aliens to something approaching art . it 's not a masterpiece , but it 's most certainly a milestone .", "it 's not great -- but it 's not bad -- and it 's the first dreamworks animated flick that wo n't feel dated by the time it hits home video .", "the action scenes are downright thrilling , the storytelling is brisk and witty , the homages to alien and monster movies funny and affectionate .", "this is probably the family film of the year so far and it 's one that has enough grown up -lrb- and by that i do n't mean rude -rrb- gags to ensure that adults enjoy this too . the script is razor sharp and the voice cast is spot one .", "the kids may not get all the references , but they\u00e2 -lrb- tm -rrb- ll enjoy the spectacular action and broad comedy , especially if they manage to see it in 3d .", "they 're outweighed by moments of real , albeit surreal , charm - like when gelatinous bob chats up a dish of pineapple jelly at a pool party - that would melt the heart of even a sentient blob of gloop .", "the voice cast has been well chosen , with everyone delivering their lines with just the right mix of satire and seriousness . it all makes for a horrifyingly humorous hour-and-a-half .", "it should do well for a kids ' audience , with a few laugh-out-loud funny moments and a smattering of kitsch 80s references for adults ... nothing particularly inventive about it , though .", "ginormica is a mighty female role model in more ways than one . she , and this film , are tremendous .", "dreamworks still has a lot to learn about the superior powers of immersion exerted by a well-told story .", "since this is a film for children , we know with virtual certainty that nobody we care about will come to harm . but there 's no reason this deft fantasy should n't appeal to adults as well .", "just because digital 3-d technology is improving does n't mean animated movies are getting better .", "besides a big heart , it has outstanding 3-d action sequences", "this easter digimation romp is big on action and slapstick , small on charm , tiny on wit and endurability ; unless you are nine , when anything goes .", "while the jokes take a back seat to the action in the film 's big climax , there are earlier moments that rank among the most fighting-for-breath funny stuff i 've seen at the movies in ages .", "evidence that 3d animation is here to stay , monsters vs. aliens is a blast of eye-popping color and goofy characters that tips the scales a tad too far into violent realms to validate its purpose .", "the dirty little secret is that 3-d is frequently painful . -lsb- but -rsb- it 's a sweet little movie , which is easy to enjoy once your eyes adjust .", "this film has hidden depths , especially for adults who mistakenly think monsters vs. aliens is only for kids .", "this tale of a plus-plus-plus-sized lady taking on extraterrestrial enemies with the help of some equally oddball friends is an entertaining , funny and emotionally resonant adventure for audiences of all ages .", "it looks good , has some talented people behind the mic , and is visually engaging , but there 's nothing memorable about the script at all . the 3d may pop , but the story is flat .", "as willfully chock-full of the familiar as the animated feature is , it 's also a hoot .", "a big , silly spoof of an animated film , fast and funny and visually dazzling .", "the cool stuff -- like 3-d and collapsing bridges -- may get filmmakers halfway there , but to make it all the way home , they need the usual movie elements , like a good story and vivid characters , and here monsters vs. aliens comes up short .", "overall , monsters vs. aliens is pleasing without being especially hilarious . some lines fall flat , and a few bits involving b.o.b. are overused . but a lack of zingers is forgivable in a movie of such visual accomplishment .", "shooting a chaotic action scene in an extra dimension definitely adds to the clutter , but does zilch to subtract from the tedium .", "it 's funny and uses newfangled 3-d effects smartly , and if it feels a little thin at times it never drags , lags or preaches .", "the script -- an affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi -- is funny , exciting -lrb- especially in imax 3-d -rrb- and has a nice visual texture .", "you do n't need a child as an excuse to see monsters vs.aliens , a delightfully goofy sci-fi spoof with a strong voice cast and a consistently witty script .", "a lightweight saga about not being a doormat to egomaniacal men and embracing your , um , inner superpowered 50-foot-tall monster ?", "a 3d animated family film that allows us to cheer for a female superhero and her companions .", "a cracking animated comedy that takes wonderful care of its characters and pace , presenting a brisk , frequently hilarious romp that rarely pauses to reflect . the simplicity is refreshing .", "if the difference between a movie and an ad is substantial character , excitement and story , then monsters vs. aliens is officially a toy commercial .", "a surprisingly dull affair .", "the movie ably disguises its conventional kids ' fare premise in a clever satiric shell .", "the standards for this genre are much higher than they used to be , and unhappily this movie , though amiable enough , just does n't scale the heights .", "it also contains a -lrb- very big -rrb- surprise : a female hero , the sort which hardly ever appears in movies like this .", "the animation is spectacular and the action full on . the monsters are cute and lovable even though they 're still pretty ugly .", "funny , insouciant and loaded with charm , monsters vs. aliens is the kind of blockbuster spectacle you wish came along every summer .", "with a sharply funny script , vivid characters and eye-popping imagery , this is a raucously enjoyable animated film", "... has a shlocky , sci-fi title that 's straight from the 1950s , and the more affection you have for that period , the more you 'll appreciate the movie .", "the film lacks the soft , friendly edge of something like monsters , inc and sags a little after the first big fight , but it 's gigantic fun nevertheless .", "this lively story about a young girl who gets hit by a meteor on her wedding day that turns her into a giant is certainly wacky enough .", "fast-moving and sweet-natured with some healthy messages about tolerance and female empowerment , MOV is a lot of fun .", "aficianadoes of 1950s monster movies should have a ball spotting all the references . all anyone else requires is a taste for good fun .", "monsters vs. aliens sacrifices soul and edge for safety and bland blue goo .", "sure , the film is sweet and harmless but , take away the 3d , and all you 're left with is a generic kids ' movie .", "monsters vs. aliens has amazing 3d , solid gags , wacky concepts and great animation ; i just wish that at some point along the way someone had been as passionate about the story as they were about the spectacle .", "spielberg references , action , humor , romance and 3d . what more do you want from a family-friendly flick ?", "MOV is still unlikely to blow your mind , but it will make you bust a gut laughing , and that 's certainly something worth celebrating in animation .", "in terms of generating pure , monstrous laughs this is the year 's funniest comedy so far - animated or live action .", "true , the story does n't amount to much , but the plot tends to take a back seat when you 've got a not-quite-50-foot version of reese witherspoon duking it out with a mighty alien robot alongside the golden gate bridge .", "at the altar ... susan sprouts to just under 50 feet tall , taking out the church roof and steeple in the process . next time , raise higher the roof beam , carpenters .", "with all the terrific animated movies we 've seen in the past few years , this sort of tossed-off dreck is simply not acceptable .", "i do n't think there are any characters here that a child would love .", "homage to '50s alien flicks too intense for youngest kids .", "see it for the dozens of homages to old movie monsters and movie genres .", "all in all , monsters vs. aliens has enough colour , motion and mayhem to keep the kids entertained for the required 90 minutes", "heavily touted as an industry breakthrough for 3-d , dreamworks animation 's clunky and wildly unimaginative monsters vs. aliens really does n't have a clue what to do with the technique .", "the 3-d animation , occasional gross-out jokes and way-cool beasties and robots play to every 10-year-old , chronological or just in spirit .", "... for kids monsters vs. aliens has a lot of color and action , and it 's not too scary . fair enough . as long as you 're a kid .", "not as wonderful as kung fu panda , monsters vs. aliens is the next best thing that dreamworks animation has produced .", "inked more by its influences than originality , `` monsters '' gets exhaustive with its rapid-fire references . that said , if this works as a shiny primer to one day introduce children to classic sci-fi , satire , fantasy and anime , well , more power to it .", "me qued\u00e9 con hambre de m\u00e1s y es que siento que dreamworks , fuera del verde shrek , no ha encontrado la f\u00f3rmula para darle verdadera batalla a disney pixar .", "the film has some serious problems , the first being - and yes , i feel ridiculous for even attributing this complaint to a film with the above title - a completely pat narrative that seriously lacks character development", "a mad magazine style action adventure film ...", "monsters vs. aliens may lack a bit of heart , but it more than compensates with intelligent humor .", "a typically slick effort from dreamworks animation ...", "fond 3d salute to old-fashioned monster and alien movies , with a little girl power adding to the demographic , should be a solid hit for dreamworks animation .", "monsters vs. aliens is possibly the most commercial title of the year . how can you resist such a premise , especially if it 's in 3-d animation ? very readily , in my case .", "visually awesome and eye-popping , particularly if you catch it in imax 3_d .", "has one character that really matters - ginormica - and no relationships to speak of ... as a tale of female empowerment and male comeuppance , monsters might have been provocative , like , 50 years ago .", "children wo n't get the references to atomic-age monster movies , but the film offers more than nostalgia : there are slyly funny performances by seth rogen as an omnivorous blue blob and stephen colbert as the u.s. president .", "the result traffics in rote truisms -lrb- love the skin you 're in ; leave no man behind ; etc. -rrb- that are admirable but perfunctory .", "the real reason to see this movie is the stunning 3-d craftsmanship .", "a happy , family-friendly movie without a mean bone in its mutated body , even though it features a giant killer robot machine and its four-eyed alien squid master , a megalomaniac who 's out to kill and/or enslave all of humanity .", "it 's a predictable updating of the 50-foot-woman idea , but it does n't go very deep . dreamworks go for jokes first , action second , resonance third or not at all .", "visual gimmicks and puns change from decade to decade , but worthwhile ideals go on forever .", "a brightly colored mash-up of pop-culture gags that speeds at you so fast and furiously that it feels like a rush even if you ca n't remember much about it the next day", "a terrific idea with the heart sucked out .", "i think many young children will learn from this film without even realizing they 're being taught something .", "MOV comes so close to being something truly special , but even as a movie that 's just enjoyably above average it beats the pants off everything else that dreamworks has done so far .", "in what other movie do you get shout-outs to `` close encounters of the third kind '' and `` beverly hills cop '' in the same frame . `` monsters vs. aliens '' might be a better time capsule of kitsch than an actual movie .", "on the bright side , it 's short .", "3-d debris -lrb- both animal and mineral -rrb- fly out of the screen every minute or so . best wear an apron if you 're suggestible .", "there 's nothing really wrong with it , but there is a lot that is n't quite right .", "the 3-d effects look great , no doubt , but the film ultimately falls victim to a contrived , unoriginal plot that just shows once again how far behind disney/pixar , dreamworks animation is .", "in the case of monsters v. aliens -- henceforth to be referred to as ` monsters vs. aliens ' -- we find in favor of monsters .", "enjoyable , frequently funny comedy with strong , likeable characters , impressive animation and a script that 's packed with both terrific gags and subtle movie references for film fans .", "the multilayered picture tends to have a gently immersive effect , akin to a stroll through the world 's most expensive diorama .", "a pleasant experience that 's never annoying but also rarely more than mildly thrilling .", "it 's lively and even dazzling , but it 's also more than willing to lazily distract its audience rather than trying anything new .", "a wispy-thin but suitably quick-witted homage to the science-fiction genre , monsters vs. aliens is not up to par with the best of pixar and disney , but it is a step in the right direction .", "the bigger-than-life concept , out-of-this-world voice cast -lrb- led by reese witherspon -rrb- and eye-gouging 3-d visuals make mva worth attacking .", "monsters vs. aliens tries very hard to entertain every demographic in the audience , although it 's at its most enjoyable when it 's not trying quite so hard .", "-lsb- i -rsb- s n't trying to be deep : that 's just an unintended side effect -lrb- and one the audience can safely ignore , if it wants to -rrb- when you riff on just about every monster movie ever made and do it this cleverly ...", "an amalgam of the vintage sci-fier attack of the 50 ft. woman and pixar 's monsters inc. , monsters vs. aliens is a goofy computer-animated romp that works just fine in the traditional moviegoing format .", "jaunty , jokey , and absolutely bursting with visual energy , it is unquestionably a treat . if it had a more substantial story , it could be a classic .", "the latest computer-animated production from dreamworks is a perfectly acceptable family movie .", "it 's an affectionate , fairly funny riff on 1950s sci-fi movies , which often featured aliens , sometimes in the form of gelatinous glop , trying to take over earth before earthlings , usually of the military variety , save the day .", "as i took off my gray-lensed 3-d spectacles at the end of monsters vs. aliens , i felt not so much immersed as fuzzy with exhaustion .", "-lsb- the voice cast -rsb- really delivered funny line after funny line throughout this .", "in short , if you 're going to see monsters vs. aliens , the only way to do it is in 3d . looking back , i think i 'd be miserable just watching a 2d screening of this movie .", "shallow , lighthearted , funny romp , but aimed more at juveniles and adults than young children .", "MOV made me feel like a big kid again .", "the jokes are good ; the animation is fine ; the 3-d is awesome . but still the film fails to make a monster or an alien as powerful a character as the little clownfish marlin from finding nemo .", "the 3-d enhances the movie rather than detracting from it and that is not always the case .", "with a title like monsters vs. aliens , -lsb- it -rsb- tells you exactly what it 's going to be . yet so did snakes on a plane , and somehow that movie managed to disappoint as well .", "i was hoping monsters vs. aliens would turn out to be a documentary about the trial lawyers association against the taliban . maybe both sides would get wiped out ?", "as a child who loathed the wholesomeness of disney and wholeheartedly embraced the madcap antics of bugs bunny , wile e. coyote and daffy duck this film was perfect for me .", "kids will adore the flash 3d visuals , brilliant action sequences and ace sight gags . mums , dads and others will relish the quickfire dialogue-some of the best we 've heard for a while in any film-and the affectionate nods to sci-fi of times past .", "pilfering everything from mothra to attack of the 50 foot woman to men in black and monsters , inc. the script piles on the mayhem and forgets the funny .", "as ` monsters vs. aliens ' demonstrates , 3-d technology is finally coming into its own , used to create a dazzlingly lifelike spectacle that seems to jump off the screen and into the theater beside you .", "do see this movie in 3-d if you can , and do n't hesitate to send the kids ; there 's just enough silly humor to keep them happy .", "a clear example of sensational style over underbaked substance", "an animated funhouse that delivers on its title and ups its scary-comic impact if you see it in 3-d .", "the dreamworkers can be satisfied with having produced another crowd-pleasing , expert-babysitting vaudeville turn .", "the biggest battle in monsters vs. aliens is banality vs. originality , and banality carries the day .", "an expert blend of silly fun , action that is mostly more exciting than scary , a few clever barbs , and some sheer bravura visuals .", "... sparkling animation ... a slam dunk staging of a monstrous battle at the golden gate bridge and seth rogan 's charming vocal interpretation of b.o.b. make this one fun if not fantastic .", "while it has a crisp 3-d look and nice vocal performances , this action-comedy will seem fresh only to 8-year-olds -- though it may give parents an excuse to introduce some of the '50s horror movies it parodies .", "do n't overthink monsters vs. aliens . just enjoy it .", "pleasant but often pedestrian .", "this uber-high-concept piece of computer-generated animation is so good-natured that you want to like it , but it is not nearly so all-fired exciting and funny as it intends to be . fortunately ... you will be rewarded with enough great moments and old-movie", "attack of the 50 foot shrug .", "monsters vs. aliens is a fine rainy-sunday diversion , but if you want real monster and alien fun , hit up netflix and rent some of the classics that inspired it .", "a loud , rushed , choppy , silly , colorful nintendo game of a movie . and it could have been dreamworks ' version of `` the incredibles . ''", "hollywood is going overboard with animated films this year and it 's going to wear thin really quick . this is n't a bad movie it 's just really generic .", "a wholesome family flick that everybody can enjoy , provided mom and dad are willing to turn off their brains when they put on the 3-d glasses .", "monsters vs. aliens is genetically engineered to appeal to young and old alike . that 's not how you make an animated classic , though .", "there is something magical about watching a well-made 3-d feature film -- even one with a less than stellar script -- to listen to the ooh 's and ahs and giggles generated by kids in a sold-out theater .", "the ongoing advances in animation make it easier for filmmakers to create worlds we can get lost in , which is exactly what happens here .", "funny , but stumbles from scene to scene kind of like lindsay lohan stumbles out of the roosevelt hotel on a friday night .", "what begins as a promising homage to classic sci-fi silliness turns into the unwanted answer to the unasked question `` what would a joe dante film be like without joe dante directing it ? ''", "mva is n't , and is n't pretending to be , as ambitious a project as pixar 's almost universally lauded wall-e was . but does it have to feel like something that 's just rolled off a conveyor belt , made according to an exacting but dull set of specifications ?", "seth rogen as an animated blob is awesome , just like this action packed animation .", "the super-duper-3-d-big-screen-imax-deluxe extravaganza that is monsters vs. aliens has bells and whistles , superb technical sophistication and dazzling visual effects , sound , fury and reese witherspoon . what it does n't have is heart .", "three-dimensional sequences , whether animated or live action , can feel more gimmicky than integral to the tale . happily , such is not the case with the entertaining monsters vs. aliens .", "a highly competent , smartly engineered delivery system for the very clich\u00e9s it pretends to subvert .", "`` nice '' is the adjective that seems to surface most in trying to pin down the film 's most salient quality , which means that while the film is enjoyable enough , it is unlikely to become a classic for us , or a shrek sort of franchise for dreamworks .", "another fast and funny digitally animated dreamworks kid flick .", "the voice performers are clearly having fun . witherspoon has n't sounded this free and easy in years , and stephen colbert steals scenes as the voice of the u.s. president .", "... fun , funny , and a genuine for-all-ages animation .", "not only spectacularly well made but frequently very funny .", "a film that relies more on gimmicks than on plotting .", "it continues to be a banner year for animation , with `` monsters vs. aliens '' proving to be a fast-paced and witty family adventure that simultaneously pays homage to and pokes fun at all those cheesy science fiction films from the 1950s .", "this movie was comfortably middle of the road . while dreamworks has frankly annoyed me to the point of almost-boycott , they ca n't forever turn out such drivel , right ? MOV is not poo at all , it 's not bad . it 's not going to set the world o", "monsters vs. aliens has plenty of lively animation and a handful of solid jokes . it is not of a caliber of most of the pixar films , but , at times , it comes close .", "monsters vs. aliens still packs a sufficient amount of jolting jocularity that is sure to satisfy the entertaining mindsets of youngsters and oldsters alike ... a zesty escapist treat", "the girl power undertones , like much of the movie itself , is not unwelcomed but feels uninspired .", "it 's too bad the new 3d glasses ca n't fix sloppy writing .", "moiazei me mikser poy o kathenas petakse mesa tin idea toy me ligo seloteip gia na kollisei", "you 'll probably take your kids to see monsters vs. aliens , but you might have more fun seeing the movie without them .", "all the great animation and swell 3d effects in the world ca n't save a movie with a dull , uninspired storyline .", "original . clever . brilliant . insert your own adjective here . monsters vs. aliens is flat out the funniest flick of the year .", "as the first out of the gate , this family-friendly movie is a legitimate contender for best animated feature film .", "now , i know i ca n't predict the future , nor do i have a magic 8 ball at my disposal , but i just do n't see how up will be able to outperform the sensational monsters vs. aliens , which is one monster mash that truly is a graveyard smash .", "MOV is a step backwards in storytelling , compared to the studio 's own shrek film franchise or any pixar production .", "it 's about a tenth as entertaining as , say , monsters , inc. -- one of the lesser pixar movies -- and it does n't reach the same heights as dreamworks ' previous monster franchise , shrek .", "plenty of giggles and thrills to keep the kiddies happy while a clever script filled with nods to the alien invasion movies of the 1950s will keep their parents in stitches .", "this is an example of a mainstream studio blockbuster done right % u2014it effectively balances humor and action , as well as small character beats with big set-pieces .", "i am strong , i am invincible , i am woman takes on a whole new meaning at 50 feet tall .", "dreamworks proves it can be a force in the animation genre with its highly entertaining effort here .", "monsters vs. aliens is visually pleasing but a sad attempt at entertaining kids . the film is riddled with tired jokes and wasted talent . wait for the cable viewing .", "the directors , rob letterman and conrad vernon , who also wrote the shabby gag-book script with four other conspirators , simply throw everything at the wall and see if it will stick .", "directors rob letterman and conrad vernon push so hard for three-dimensionality that they basically have their animators putting sightlines before storylines .", "the new 3d animated feature film from dreamworks is really less of a kids ' movie and more of a witty science fiction comedy aimed at fans of cheesy 1950s sci-fi films .", "as often happens , the best parts are the smallest -- throwaway moments shine -lrb- i particularly enjoyed the self-doubting self-destruct mechanism on the alien ship -rrb- while the big set pieces are quickly forgotten .", "the true saviors here are the computer artisans and voice actors -- e.g. , seth rogen and rainn wilson -- who bring the story to life .", "despite spectacular visuals and sporadic thrills , monsters vs. aliens lacks the consistent fun , inventiveness , wit and big-heartedness found in superior , unforgettable cgi action-adventures such as the incredibles .", "it does take a long time to explain the story for a movie that 's totally summed up in its title .", "for a 3-d movie , monsters vs. aliens is appallingly one-dimensional .", "sure there are some good jokes here , and the voice talent is stellar , but the words coming out of their mouths and the combination of all of the ridiculous elements make for a very forgettable experience that will do nothing more than serve as a 90-minute", "susan is a character with real , um , weight ...", "this bright and lively computer-animated 3d comedy-adventure gives the masters of animation at pixar a run for their box office riches .", "the voice casting is superb , with hugh laurie and seth rogen the standouts along with witherspoon . there 's also plenty of amazing action . the epic battle over the golden gate bridge is as exciting as any top live-action movie .", "given that the film was sold as the biggest kind of spectacle , it 's disappointing though not surprising that it 's so barbarically typical .", "monsters vs. aliens targets smart-ass kids and is overly referential , but provides decent family entertainment .", "monsters vs. aliens is both a spoof and celebration of mid-century creature features , offering positive , if well-worn , `` messages for the kids . ''", "if you are looking for a diversionary flick you can take the kids to and everybody comes out having had a good time , this is perfect .", "the latest cartoon from dreamworks is n't a classic , but it makes the grade for easter viewing .", "there 's something about susan .", "for me , the other characters in ` monsters vs. aliens ' fail to measure up to b.o.b. -- who 's voiced to amusing perfection by seth rogen .", "this is a movie that will more than delight the younger tykes .", "though the movie 's action beats are underdeveloped , they 've successfully poured all of their creativity into making us laugh .", "i liked it more than anything pixar has made the last five years ." ], "summary": "though it does n't approach the depth of the best animated films , monsters vs. aliens has enough humor and special effects to entertain moviegoers of all ages .", "id": "770781791" }, { "movie": "end_of_days", "reviews": [ "many sins have been committed in the name of religion ; MOV ranks as the latest .", "the film never really escapes mediocrity .", "taken as pure popcorn-munchin ' fun , days is an enjoyable , if sometimes bumpy , ride .", "if you do n't think about it too hard , it 's kind of fun .", "it 's not strong on substance -lrb- though it could have been -rrb- , still , i do n't think you 'll have a bad time .", "overwrought .", "with endless violence and gratuitous sex , MOV has something to offend everyone .", "the movie is as bloodless as a cyborg , and it feels as if it has been assembled according to diagrams supplied by someone who studied every successful sci-fi action thriller and then multiplied the findings by 10 .", "loud , lurid , bloody and ridiculously entertaining .", "um filme de a\u0443\u0441o incessante que traz arnold schwarzenegger em uma das piores atua\u0443\u0448es de sua carreira .", "displaying precisely the imagination that gave the world such epic achievements as the star chamber and the relic , hyams dusts off america 's designated import and goes with arnie schwarzenegger his own self .", "director peter hyams propels MOV with a series of crash-and-burn sequences that express the archetypal link between satan and fire .", "an effort which will join true lies and raw deal in the dustbin of schwarzenegger history .", "if you liked the exorcist , the omen , and rosemary 's baby , do n't miss this one .", "sloppy , dull and unintentionally funny .", "let us be sustained by the knowledge that in just 38 more days , all this millennium nonsense will be over .", "MOV is n't complete waste of time but all those who watch it would probably agree that this film 's days were numbered long time ago .", "sort of like listening to that old toto album tucked away somewhere in your music collection . you remember thinking you used to like this kind of stuff , but you ca n't quite recall why .", "part of the degraded charm of MOV is its buffet-table derivative approach .", "starts by stealing bad ideas from other movies , then it putsthem together in the wrong order and casts the wrong actors to play the parts . in other words , it 's one of the worst movies i 've seen this year .", "the plot is such hooey ... and the plot holes so gaping that MOV proves more exasperating than enjoyable . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "never rises to the realm of exciting .", "tired dud of an over-the top violent action movie .", "the movie pits arnold schwarzenegger against the devil -lrb- gabriel byrne -rrb- , with director peter hyams delivering tense moments of action amid not-so-subtle choices for character development .", "nothing but groans and yawns .", "a lot of fun , but not a great movie .", "idiotic beyond the point of redemption , this sinfully stupid farrago manages to insult audiences and critics , christians and satanists alike , reducing 2000 years of fertile mythology to the level of an incoherent pop video .", "more watchable than some critics would have you think .", "ungodly stew .", "movies like this are particularly vulnerable to logic .", "this tedious movie offers little in the way of wit , originality or even competence . it 's two hours of purgatory .", "days is a movie full of punches but no spark .", "there 's no justice in the world - finally we have a film involving religion that is really deserving of someone to protest it and it opens with nary a picket line .", "pretty bad . but for camp value , you are n't going to find a better bang for the buck than MOV .", "hyams overloads the film with action sequences that are n't particularly thrilling , horrific scenes that are n't very scary and dramatic moments -lrb- including one with schwarzenegger crying ! -rrb- that are n't even slightly moving .", "MOV is an overblown , overspectacular , oversold movie without an original idea in its head .", "think of MOV as hollywood 's own y2k bug .", "MOV is definitely in the top two or three worst studio films of the year .", "es una soberana tonter\u00eda , pero eso s\u00ed , bastante entretenida", "easily one of the worst movies of 1999 , MOV is absolutely insufferable .", "you 'll walk out of MOV wanting to pick a fight with arnold schwarzenegger . that 's how bad this flick is .", "reasons ? to hell with reasons ! let 's just blow stuff up !", "regardless of their religion , everyone has good reason to avoid this lame and pretentious garbage .", "predominantly a failure , and the finger points to peter hyams , who helms this monolith with little grace or subtlety .", "reasonably entertaining .", "85 percent explosions and editing idiocy -lrb- a window ca n't break without director peter hyams cutting between five different angles -rrb- and 15 percent arnold trying to grow a third dimension .", "the movie is so full of hackneyed ideas , imagery and dialogue that it 's unintentionally quite funny .", "this is of interest only to the hard core of schwarzenegger 's army .", "the acting is hammy , all the 666 book of revelations stuff has been worn out since the omen , and the film never quite focuses on anything long enough to build up any pseudo-religious creeps .", "arnie 's batteries seem to be losing their juice .", "barely better than the pitiful omega code .", "this could be devilish fun , but director / cinematographer peter hyams slows the action to a ponderous crawl .", "it 's too lurid , exploitative and , on some level , just plain silly .", "this film is like an overflowing pot of how to make a bad movie stew .", "the biggest problem here was the script .", "arnold , arnold , arnold , what were you thinking when you signed on to do this ?", "suffers from a glaring lack of imagination .", "is n't a bad movie by any means ; it 's just a reasonably silly one that , in one form or the other , has been overdone to death .", "wretchedly bad .", "as incoherent about its mysticism as it is about anything else .", "drab and depressing .", "MOV keeps asking whether faith or force will save the human race , before hedging its bets and insisting on both . neither will be enough to save relics like hyams and schwarzenegger from their long , affluent drift into irrelevance .", "the movie is frequently silly .", "this movie gets stuck in purgatory .", "it 's just dreck ...", "i do n't know who grimaced in pain more during the film , arnold schwarzenegger or me .", "a studio-manufactured product with no reason for being other than to exploit millennial angst , this film is better titled end of schwarzenegger .", "... a run-of-the-mill supernatural thriller .", "anyone who likes action will be gripped by MOV .", "full of sound and fury , signifying absolutely nothing , MOV is the loudest and least of the year 's end-of-the-world movies .", "schwarzenegger fans will probably be pleased , action lovers wo n't be bored , and the catholic league will be angry . everyone else will see MOV for what it is : a deliciously bad motion picture .", "dim-witted collection of recycled scenes and themes from rosemary 's baby and the seventh sign , not to mention the omen , the exorcist and all of their infernal sequels .", "we 're treated to such a broad panoply of godawful dialogue , righteously shoddy acting , and , worst of all for an action blockbuster of this sort , subpar effects work , that it 's all you can do not to giggle helplessly .", "action scenes become bland clones of 1,000 movies that we 've seen before , and suspense scenes turn into , well , bland clones of action scenes that we 've seen 1,000 times before .", "the movie equivalent of the fruitcake you get every year from the folks back home . it 's brick-heavy and full of nasty bits you do n't want to put in your mouth , lovingly wrapped in pink cellophane .", "there are moments in MOV when schwarzenegger seems to be gunning for an oscar . those moments play like comic relief .", "a loud , busy , apocalyptic extravaganza that 's as relentless as it is preposterous .", "hyams seems able to establish a rhythm and keep the sequence clear . it 's when people talk that he tends to get into trouble .", "arnold schwarzenegger 's latest vehicle , MOV , is such a witless , bombastic , by-the-numbers hunk of millennial hooey it made me nostalgic for commando .", "a depressingly shabby excuse for a movie .", "in a performance that is among his worst , -lsb- arnold -rsb- seems to have trouble with his lines and does n't get to make his trademark wisecracks .", "it delivers slam-bang action for the genre 's fans -- as long as they 're also willing to put up with a strong dose of corny movie logic and lots of pseudo-religious posturing .", "ahnuld 's latest action dud is one huge millennium bug bomb , a sad , pyrotechnic rehashing of yet another the-devil-takes-a-bride concept ..." ], "summary": "an overblown thriller with formulaic action scenes and poor acting .", "id": "13682" }, { "movie": "lawless_heart", "reviews": [ "as heartbreaking as grief itself and as unexpectedly lovely as that warm certainty that our beloved friends and family continue to inspire us even after they 're gone .", "draws a consistently witty and heartfelt portrait of contemporary british lives .", "would perhaps make a watchable pilot for a drama series . as a feature film , it 's dull .", "for these gifted directors and their fine ensemble , the notion that every life forms into a mosaic of intimate , largely unobserved details is the story most worth telling .", "it is so adroit in its structure , so insightful in how it explores its vivid characters that it forces us to acknowledge not only how complicated all lives are but also how easy it is to be self-centered and miss those complications in everyone else .", "writer/directors neil hunter and tom hunsinger -lrb- boyfriends -rrb- have crafted a circular triptych which changes audience perceptions of people , places and things depending on whose point of view we see them from .", "it 's frustrating because it is so well made and acted but can never find much of anything to say .", "it 's dedicated to a fuller understanding of the human condition , a deeper appreciation of everything we take for granted in even the messiest melodramas .", "it thins out until the repetitive format begins to seem , well , repetitive .", "the characters are full-bodied and authentic , capable of surprising themselves , and their dialogue is written with a good ear for how smart people try to be truthful and secretive at the same time .", "a ruminative ensemble dramedy suffused with humanity -- probably the most unassumingly exact film so far of 2003 , a movie whose robust sense of completeness slowly accrues over the course of its running time .", "honest , poignant and occasionally very , very witty .", "it 's a glum tale , withal , but the highly intelligent performances also help it to reward in the end .", "what seems like a politely repressed british drama on first viewing becomes deeper , more eloquent , and more piercing the more it expands in your mind 's eye . about three days after you see it , the movie pops into three-dimensional profundity .", "there is a real honesty to this british comedy-drama that is appealing , and which also makes its soap-opera plot a bit easier to swallow .", "complex but never confusing -- thanks to the three-act structure , which replays the same moments from different perspectives .", "a guy 's flick whose charms are many and faults are few .", "a modern and mature story about love and loving , a film as intelligent as it is charming .", "mildly engaging melodrama that 's more sharply written than directed .", "subtle in its use of cause and effect , MOV is a light-hearted study of relationships and regret , of last chances and lessons in love .", "the skill with which these temporalities are connected is considerable .", "never shouts out its emotional explorations . instead , it employs a soft , secure voice , and the viewer is lulled even more by the authentic , unadorned performances of a strong ensemble .", "like so many british movies , it seems made for actors who make what they humanly can of it , their expertise meshing .", "MOV is so well crafted , so original , that each overlapping scene swells with new life and interpretation .", "good , sophisticated , warm-hearted fun -lrb- poor dan excluded -rrb- , and should be seen .", "the storytelling structure is far more interesting than the story itself .", "a miniature triumph of understatement .", "i loved this movie for its melancholy spirit and its beautiful attention to the details in life .", "hats off to hunter and hunsinger for their robust and rounded treatment of the emotional education of three vulnerable men who are not used to dealing with their deepest yearnings .", "it takes a while to get used to the fractured narrative , but once done it is easy to put your mind on autopilot and go with the offbeat characters and events .", "as it stands , tim 's story rescues the movie , but barely .", "the filmmakers use the characters to talk about ... issues without being pedantic .", "the humor is hit-and-miss , and your laughter ratio will depend on your affinity for subtle , dry british wit .", "an impishly funny , melancholy , absolutely delightful english ensemble drama .", "shows us small revelations only an opened heart can grasp .", "a small , funny and quietly effective movie that makes a beguiling virtue of modesty .", "the situations are forced ; love blossoms way too easily ; and the characters are downright daft .", "soap opera fans will recognize a kindred spirit here", "teems with insights into the human condition revealed by an unusually smart script and a wonderfully committed cast .", "the writing-directing pair of neil hunter and tom hunsinger create a fairly seamless patchwork , although the novelty starts to wear thin by the third layer .", "stale offering that confuses the concept of being droll with being dull .", "it 's an ambitious attempt , but one which too often puts form ahead of story .", "like grieving itself , the film is awkward , messily honest , and sometimes darkly funny .", "this low-key affair is graced with fine performances and a decidedly grown-up view of the world .", "leaves you with the impression that it could go on and on , picking up loose threads and exploring stray implications . more remarkably , you find yourself wishing it would , because these absolutely ordinary people turn out to be infinitely interesting .", "despite its leisurely pace , this unpretentious , character-driven picture is a low-key charmer .", "a beautiful , moving mini-masterpiece that 's a strong contender for the british film of the year .", "it 's an intriguing experience .", "a lyrical , affecting survey of modern romance with a decidedly english accent ." ], "summary": "unconventional and refreshing , this strikingly un-hollywood film takes a quiet and heartbreaking look at the warmth and inspiration of friendships lost .", "id": "770673389" }, { "movie": "cry-baby", "reviews": [ "criminally underrated ; one of waters ' most enjoyable comedies", "it 's worth a rental , if you 're in the mood for something offbeat but less filling , but do n't expect a revelation .", "tears for fears ? nah , it 's johnny depp 's . when will this waters gem be adapted for broadway ?", "john waters at his most accessible -- which is still really odd .", "johnny depp is a rockin ' revelation", "unhinged and inventive", "mr. depp , who smolders naturally when he is n't trying so hard , acts this role about as well as elvis would have ; under the circumstances , that 's fine .", "altogether a joyous outburst of watersian creativity .", "better than grease . overlooked but fabulous john waters ' musical .", "waters goes mainstream . johnny proves he has depth .", "showcases the very best of waters 's sense of humor and enthusiasm for details , crafting a loving parody of already goofy efforts .", "campy '50s parody has mild sex references , violence .", "there are some funny moments , but this may be the first time the director 's scabrous , anarchic wit seems vaguely depressed .", "a delinquent joy-ride , though without the hard-core distaste of previous waters flicks , which may or may not be a bad thing .", "as waters moves to a more conventional type of satire , he is losing some of the edge that gave his earlier films their crass appeal .", "john waters progressed from the truly disgusting -lrb- `` pink flamingoes '' -rrb- to the truly funny -lrb- `` hair spray '' -rrb- only to now hit the mainstream wall .", "cry-baby takes digs at jailhouse rock in a musical number that elvis would have loved to do .", "cry-baby does n`t have a subject , but only a format-a rickety framework erected to support a few broad gags and a few indifferently filmed production numbers .", "johnny depp is extremely well cast in john waters ' sweet-natured fable about rebellious youth", "waters ' hole card is johnny depp , the winsome tough from tv 's 21 jump street , who radiates big - screen grace and swagger as cry-baby -- no easy trick , since he is guying his own image .", "if cry-baby has a message , it 's that cry-baby and allison deserve each other because they 're young and they 're beautiful , which certainly runs counter to waters ' affection for the grotesque , the bad and the ugly .", "the wizard of odd still runs amok .", "for a while the actors seem intimidated by the '50s references , but the film eventually develops a musical energy that carries the day .", "cry-baby is often sweet-spirited even when its crummy , but there 's also something fetid in its foolery .", "waters 's feeling for the mid-50s does n't really match his sense of the early 60s , and his plot moves seem increasingly formulaic .", "the nostalgic delights in waters 's reform school drool are often more subtle than his other period offering , hairspray , but it 's still a polished debunking of pop culture from the `` pope of trash '' .", "it all adds up to zany , wide-eyed , quintessential waters havoc -- the `` kinder , gentler '' 1990s brand , perhaps . but the genuine article , nonetheless .", "i do n't quite know how waters did it -lrb- and i have absolutely no idea why he did it -rrb- , but the fact that cry-baby is fun suggests that the filmmaker possesses an instinctive understanding of what made those elvis pictures so successful in the first place .", "it has a great score of obscure '50s rock and doo-wop . it has the candy-colored look of a '50s musical . what it does n't have is a moment of anything that seems remotely real .", "waters 's writing is woefully uneven . it 's as if sam kinison had decided to tell knock-knock jokes -- sterile , unfunny knock-knock jokes at that .", "successfully works in fits and starts .", "everyone is clearly having a ball in cry-baby , and one can only imagine what the nightlife was like on the set", "great campy fun . how many tears will johnny shed ?", "waters ' finest film to date , a worthy successor to hairspray which exudes teen angst and young lust from every pore .", "waters is just as offbeat as any of his film characters - and he surrounds himself with creative people who would n't at all be out of place in a john waters movie .", "pink flamingos fans will find cry-baby decidedly tame , but it 's one of my favorites .", "john waters ' mischievous satire of the teen exploitation genre is entertaining as a rude joyride through another era , full of great clothes and hairdos .", "the film is high on energy , color and camera movement and , as usual in waters 's world , everything is styled within an inch of its life , capturing all the fun and fever of the 1950s .", "it 's a satire that functions the same way the stuff it 's satirizing does .", "cheerfully camp , terrifically enjoyable teen parody that ranks among waters ' best moments . oh , and world -- meet johnny depp !", "some of the musical numbers are fun and there are some good gags here and there , but for the most part this one is pretty weak .", "even diluted waters is better than no waters at all .", "one of waters ' most accessible oddities .", "a strangely off-putting musical farce .", "basically the filmmaker reminds us of his affection for social misfits , but without much conviction . he 's simply too hip to commit himself to his beliefs , and a relentless frivolity prevails .", "if there is one constant in recent social history , it is that we feel nostalgia for yesterday 's teenage badness even while we fear today 's ." ], "summary": "john waters ' musical ode to the teen rebel genre is infectious and gleefully camp , providing star johnny depp with the perfect vehicle in which to lampoon his pin-up image .", "id": "10100" }, { "movie": "coming_home_2014", "reviews": [ "chen and gong , two of china 's most respected actors , offer two great performances in a film about love , loss and perseverance that will nearly break your heart .", "daoming just manages to keep the material from turning into a sentimental variation on `` waiting for godot . ''", "intriguingly , the director has successfully woven a kafkaesque metaphor into a classically chinese melodrama .", "a modern yet timeless tragedy that 's desperate , sad and rich with devotion .", "technically gorgeous with a half baked story , MOV is far from yimou 's best ...", "historical resonances aside , `` MOV '' functions well as an impeccably crafted , compellingly acted tale .", "... a poignant bittersweet romance with some powerful sociopolitical undertones .", "-lsb- yimou zhang 's -rsb- latest film MOV is something of a return to his roots , a family drama seething with undertones of sociopolitical frustration , more reserved than his early work but with characteristic gushes of emotion .", "zhang yimou is now 64 years old , and the personal pain that permeated his last film to deal directly with the cultural revolution , to live , has faded to a sad resignation and a mood of tender forgiveness in the emotional MOV .", "heartbreaking in its depiction of ordinary lives affected by political upheaval , this ode to the fundamental values that survive even under such dire circumstances has an epic gravity that recalls another great historical romance , doctor zhivago .", "the beautifully composed shots are studies in shadow and sunlight , drizzle and grime .", "`` MOV '' is a bittersweet tale told with deft skill by zhang yimou and his cast and crew . the film deals with real issues as well as a critical historical look at his native land .", "an impressive chinese melodrama about love , reconciliation , and the multiple meanings of home .", "this miniature of a family in crisis -lsb- ... -rsb- is richly rewarding , even without fiery battles , lavish set-pieces or high drama .", "it 's a cause for rejoicing .", "one could even call it a shameless weepie . still , it 's a welcome throwback to one of the most emotionally wrenching actor-director partnerships in film history .", "this is politically-fueled melodrama of a higher order .", "MOV can be understood as both a nicholas sparks-style weepie , and a social commentary about the cultural revolution .", "MOV sinks into a conventional tragic romance rut that not even engaging performances by gong and chen can save .", "MOV stays remarkably grounded , anchored by fine performances and unsullied by oversentimentality . it may move you to tears , but it wo n't push you there .", "less shocking than -lsb- director yimou zhang 's -rsb- previous effort , but no less heartbreaking .", "amnesia is one of the more hackneyed of plot devices , but it still resounds because memory signifies so much - history , identity , and what remains when time takes everything away .", "for a film with only three main players , MOV feels gargantuan in its emotional toll on the characters and audience alike .", "bangs on those piano chords too hard , as if trying to drown out gong and chen 's quietly wrenching performances .", "beautifully shot , leisurely paced and moving film", "a very well made , moving soap opera .", "it 's a little disappointing that zhang yimou has chosen a dramatically tepid melodrama as his vehicle for examining such a destructive political upheaval .", "`` MOV '' itself is graceful and modestly scaled , forgoing the historical sweep and the operatic fervor of some of mr. zhang 's previous work .", "MOV is an affecting pocket magnum of a melodrama : it looks small and hits big .", "the idea of a loved one being erased from memory provides an obvious but still potent metaphor for the social engineering of the revolution , and zhang heightens its poignance by underplaying its political significance .", "for all its big emotions , the low-key MOV is a less a melodrama than a mellow drama .", "zhang yimou has long been celebrated as one of china 's greatest living filmmakers , and his craft is no less evident in MOV .", "i 'm not sure if there 's room in the new chinese film world , which like american cinemas is now dominated by big-budget special effects films , for another series of gong-zhang films . but they should forge ahead . they 've recaptured the magic .", "as lu and feng struggle to reconnect , and find themselves settling for the oddest of dependencies , it 's hard to be unmoved .", "... a simple and sad story of a family torn apart by mao zedong 's communist movement ... the film 's final image is a testament to marital love and devotion .", "zhang steers `` MOV '' toward a poignant study of immense distance in small spaces .", "marred by a refusal to deal with politics -lrb- possibly a function of the novel it is based on -rrb- , it is a moving story about the toll that the cultural revolution exacted on a family .", "elegantly touching ...", "emotionally gripping , somber , well-acted and brimming with humanism .", "saddest of all ... given the film 's promising start and world-class director/actor pairing , is the missed opportunity for something of greater depth .", "for old fans , there 's much to recognize here - an almost sirkian respect for melodrama , a natural empathy for women , a refusal to forget the past . some new approaches , too ...", "as beautifully shot as all the director 's work , the film has a hypnotic quality complemented by simple yet powerful music .", "as it builds toward its beautifully heartbreaking and tender last scene , chances are you 'll be reduced to a sobbing puddle of tears .", "a melodrama , but it 's an accomplished one , reflecting a time and place with minimal moves , yet sustaining a feel of heartache that 's engaging , even when it offers decidedly bittersweet moments .", "MOV is a film in which everyone 's dreams are irrevocably broken , the pieces too small to grasp , let alone pick up .", "i 'm unembarrassed about giving in to MOV . sometimes you just have to ask yourself one question : why else go to the movies ?", "what this film may lack in terms of visual flamboyance , it more than makes up for in telling its simple and direct story with a raw , emotional power that does n't need lavish spectacle in order to get its point across .", "-lsb- video essay -rsb- superb performances by the incomparable gong li -lrb- zhang yimou 's reliably brilliant stock actress -rrb- , and the wonderfully understated chen daoming , are electrifying . . .", "zhang dabs on salve and comforts the afflicted . he lets this intimate , bittersweet reconciliation implicitly stand for the nation at large ." ], "summary": "the rare tearjerking melodrama with sociopolitical subtext , MOV plucks the heartstrings with thought-provoking power .", "id": "771379420" }, { "movie": "chandni_chowk_to_china", "reviews": [ "less a bollywood bonbon than a pan-asian fusion dish , this combination of indian musical and chinese chopsocky is , nonetheless , delicious fun .", "if slumdog millionaire 's success has hollywood thinking american audiences are ready for the authentic indian movie experience , MOV could quickly put the kibosh on that notion .", "it 's a kung fu action comedy played out to a bollywood beat .", "if only it were as much fun as its trailer !", "this is a pretty entertaining work for the most part despite its unevenness and for those who have never experienced an authentic bollywood film before , it will serve as a perfectly good introduction to that style of filmmaking .", "MOV seamlessly adds kung fu to the usual blend of comedy , dance and melodrama .", "the movie 's ostensible distinction is its coupling of bollywood and kung fu , but it 's really a self-realization course dressed up as kinetic comedy .", "this indian/chinese cinematic hybrid is likable and entertaining but overlong and occasionally hokey .", "if MOV is not exactly original , it steals wisely , resulting in a movie that moves and entertains -lrb- even if it 's too long by at least a half-hour -rrb- .", "in fact , at two hours and 34 minutes , cc2c is too much by a half : too much dancing and fighting and too much footage of the great wall of china .", "if MOV were a person , it would need valium .", "chandni has martial - arts montages and bollywood song-and-dance numbers . as tacky as the latter are , they 're the sweet -- and only ? -- draw of the movie . they also give this slight comedy-adventure its epic and unearned length .", "chandni chowk is n't going to appeal to those not already entertained by bollywood and kung-fu movie clich\u00e9s . but it could turn the charismatic kumar into a global star , making the prescribed happy ending even sweeter for warner bros. .", "chandni chowk is the kind of madness to which you surrender unconditionally or not at all . you 'll find the trans-asian journey from the market street in delhi to the tyrannized village in china bewitching or bewildering , with little room in between .", "MOV is bollywood 's all-singing , all-dancing , all-hindi bid to conquer america .", "results are wonky , with its detriments mainly attributable to its indian influence .", "MOV never captures our imagination the way those twin tarantino films did , mostly thanks to a lead character who 's too dumb to root for , much less believe in .", "... so energetically off-the-wall that the sheer novelty alone makes it entertain much of the way .", "if MOV is any indication , a combination of bollywood and kung-fu movies is something the world needed without even realizing it .", "any hopes of stylistic experimentation or genre fusion are quickly dashed and it becomes evident that this is simply two films : the first half singing , dancing bollywood and the second a middle-of-the-road martial arts flick .", "brimming with talent , technically masterful on many levels , this overwrought bollywood/martial-arts caper should please fans of both genres ready to be happily assaulted for two-and-a-half hours .", "MOV is a fresh , invigorating mashup of bollywood and asian martial arts epics . then , it stays around a good half hour too long . way too long .", "this is a fun movie , as well as an interesting peek into what entertains audiences in a different culture .", "tries to juggle bollywood musical with martial arts action and slapstick comedy and fails at all three .", "so , here 's the deal . do n't send us any more chandni chowk movies , and we wo n't send you anything with adam sandler .", "half bollywood , half chinese , all nonsense spectacle . nikhil advani 's sprawling action-comedy has the feel of great ambition designed by committee .", "a wholly missed opportunity to broaden the hindi film fan base in america .", "packs enough entertaining moments in its 154-minute running time to whet our appetite for more films from the subcontinent , but its sloppy audio and low-rent visual effects will likely prove distracting to american audiences accustomed to more polished fa", "an energetic , if uneven , movie masala whose ingredients include broad comedy , fists of fury , dark family secrets and musical numbers .", "there 's hollywood and bollywood , but MOV respresents something new -- follywood .", "like the cinematic equivalent of someone appearing on mr. blackwell 's ten worst-dressed list , the movie is a garish mix of conflicting styles and genres , cross-pollinating overproduced musical numbers , cheesy melodrama , and kung-fu .", "insufferable . burdened with insipid plotting and lame comedy .", "shapeless , shameless , and slapdash .", "MOV supposedly is the ` the first-ever bollywood kung-fu comedy , ' which makes me pray fervently that it will also be the last .", "spectacular stunts and special effects can not save this fusion of indian and chinese culture from coming across as a movie with little originality or wit .", "MOV has something to offer every discerning film taste . and that 's its major shortcoming .", "crass , schizophrenic , culturally insensitive , horribly paced , and shameless in its pandering to the lowest common denominator .", "long story short : there was plenty that i liked about chandni . but i also could n't wait for it to end .", "the first-ever bollywood kung fu comedy qualifies as deliriously and endearingly bizarre .", "it will appeal to the large indian audiences in north america and to bollywood fans in general , who will come out wondering why this movie , of all movies , was chosen as hollywood 's first foray into commercial indian cinema .", "a deafening , slapstick-drenched , exaggerated bit of hokum , chandni is an endurance test for the bollywood uninitiated : a curry-flavored three stooges comedy via the shaw brothers playbook .", "there simply is n't enough indian spice to make this ancient chinese recipe fresh .", "MOV is the first bollywood movie to be released in the u.s. in the wake of the bollywood-inflected slumdog millionaire . let 's hope it 's not the last .", "think of the title of this bollywood/martial-arts mashup as a riff on north by northwest . and like that preeminent american entertainment , cc2c is stylish , slick and full of fun .", "chandi chowk is fun but somewhat exhausting , with several elaborate production numbers , a bullet-proof umbrella that also serves as a parachute , a magical potato -- plus a running time just over 2 1/2 hours , which is short by bollywood standards .", "MOV is an energetic mess .", "sold as a groundbreaking convergence of asia 's leading cinematic influences -- kung fu flicks and bollywood extravaganzas -- it can only be termed genre-mashup overkill .", "children and undiscriminating adults may enjoy the flurry of eye-catching activities that storm incessantly across the screen for its 2 1/2 hours , but the reigning stupidity of the enterprise is liable to tire anyone else in attendance .", "if you can get into the frenetic rhythm of the thing , it has its charms .", "after a while the film chills out just enough , getting by on the sheer force of its grandeur and good humor .", "to appreciate this scenic spectacle requires a leap of faith that will test even die-hard bollywood fans ." ], "summary": "a thin plot is disguised by high octane dancing and action in this bollywood crossover comedy .", "id": "770800803" }, { "movie": "500_days_of_summer", "reviews": [ "a refreshingly sweet , charming and heartfelt romantic comedy with just the right combination of wit , humor and tenderness .", "the couple 's fluctuations between amorous rapture and wounding are matched by the film 's own seesaw of poignancy and irritation", "it 's all about the architecture of love .", "in a cinema season overflowing with ho-hum rom-coms , it 's a delight to come across one that moves off the well-beaten track and entertains at the same time .", "it comes replete with all the try-hard affectations of the whimsical american indie film - a third-person narrator , quirky animated title cards , an obligatory shout out to belle & sebastian - but manages to transcend its influences enough to appear fresh .", "i loved -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV for many reasons , but for this one the most : i felt more during this movie than i have in any other romantic comedy in years .", "the fox searchlight house style perfected and taken to the brink of self-parody .", "a charming , funny and wonderfully inventive romcom that 's easily one of the best films of the year .", "comparisons with woody allen are misplaced - the lines do n't punch the way woody 's used to - but the cinematography does a good job of making unfashionable corners of los angeles look like allen 's manhattan .", "just when you thought hollywood had run out of original ideas for quality rom-coms comes this slice of witty , smart loveliness .", "sparklingly funny , beautifully heartfelt , wonderfully uplifting and brilliantly performed . in short , it 's the best romantic film since ... well , what exactly ?", "hits every emotional nail in the head so perfectly ... you 'll not be able to walk away from this movie at least not somewhat more enlightened than when you walked in .", "there 's no real drama when the inner life of the female lead is so shrouded , even if that 's the point .", "thanks to two wonderful , offbeat performances by joseph gordon-levitt and zooey deschanel , this movie has charm to spare . it looks you right in the eye and tells the truth .", "a fresh and appealing romantic drama brimming with heart , creativity , and panache .", "it is so annoyingly cute about the smartness of middle-class young white people in love that one quickly realizes it is only about that -- not love nor passion as everyone experiences it .", "what is unexpected is the sincerity beneath the modest conceit that , yup , love hurts .", "it 's the kind of romantic tragedy that 's distinct and empathetic enough to be embraced by audiences who were born during reagan 's second term . or clinton 's first .", "scenes slide in and out , musical montages lift your heart , and the frequent witty jokes and well-timed edits earn some of the most genuine laughs of the summer .", "probably the closest this generation has come to having their own annie hall .", "it 's as close to perfect a romantic comedy as i 've ever seen .", "i feel for tom , i commiserate with him for his tragedy but , for me , 300 MOV would have been more than sufficient .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is clever , thoughtful and well-acted , and it manages to refresh a genre grown stale through repetition .", "probably the most honest thing in the film is the breakup scenes feel like real breakups , much more than they resemble the contrived obstacles to love in most romantic comedies .", "the movie keeps leaning toward some awful truths , only to sheepishly retreat into the safe comedy of fakey shopworn devices .", "the film does a lovely job of balancing emotional clarity , formal trickery , pop sweetness , and heartfelt narrative .", "this is movie magic most unexpected .", "the film 's postmodern path takes us through touching , tender , hilarious territory before winding up at the most beguiling part of any love story . the beginning .", "it is so absolutely adorable that , as the ending credits were rolling , i had the overwhelming urge to wrap my arms around the movie and never let it go . ... the best film of the year .", "-lsb- a -rsb- visually witty , flawlessly played romantic comedy .", "this movie has flighty warmth . it makes delirious use of one of hall & oates ' boppiest tunes . it has a bluebird of happiness , for crying out loud .", "... it does a nice job of charting the rise and fall of a relationship with heart , soul and a recognition that it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all .", "we have been trained by hollywood to react a certain way to a certain kind of movie and 500 MOV seeks to un-train us through shock therapy .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is as close to perfect as a movie gets . a highly subjective claim ? sure , but so are all movie reviews , and this is hardly the time to get into that argument .", "zany visuals and spirited performances makes 500 MOV an entertaining chronicle of the making and breaking of a modern secular relationship .", "an endearing , well-acted film that takes a conventional premise and turns it into something wonderfully unconventional .", "sweet and cute , but capable of so much more .", "hopefully writers neustadter and weber have already got another project in the works .", "this is the movie the breakup was advertised to be .", "gimmicky love story that 's not saved by its bittersweet ending . acting is more than just cooing with your eyes . it seemed like 500 days allright . paul chambers , cnn .", "the film 's bruised yet clear-eyed romanticism is refreshing to find in a genre that often settles for something less than truthful or passionate .", "has a refreshing honesty about the messiness of break-ups .", "rethinking rom-com conventions , 500 MOV is an immensely pleasurable love story about two young people with a deep connection but an uncertain future .", "just sincere enough not to seem target-marketed , -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is a charmer of both semi-classic and partially derivative proportions .", "bittersweet , a movie whose many laughs are balanced by the moments of heartbreak ... i 'd call it a date movie -- except it 's likely to cause more arguments than agreements .", "conventional ? not at all .", "i ca n't speak highly enough about this really inventive romantic comedy .", "flawed though it is , 500 MOV is still a fair cut above the average piece of hollywood fare both in terms of its laugh quotient and offbeat romance .", "it offers us the kind of friendship that comes with a brilliant soundtrack , a story with a solid mixture of fantasy and truth , and the bolstering sort of hopefulness that we might , by accident , fall into a version of its world someday .", "joseph gordon-levitt is great as a hopeless romantic , and zooey deshanel embodies a cold-fish charmer whose mod girl styling is but a clever disguise for a person looking for a better deal .", "offbeat and original , marc webb 's feature debut is a charming serio comedy that views love and romance from a strictly male pov , reversing both hollywood and societal norms .", "-lsb- it -rsb- does what other romantic comedies can never seem to do convincingly : it celebrates those special little moments that two people can share together , whether -lsb- they -rsb- end up creating a substantial and long-lasting relationship or not .", "one of those rare highly touted movies that 's sometimes even better than the touting would have you believe .", "... actually dares to invite comparison with annie hall ... -lsb- and -rsb- manages , against all odds , to stand up under it .", "the kind of movie where telling people to see it is n't enough . you physically want to drive them to the theater so they 'll be there in time for the next showing .", "it 's a movie that makes me wish i were still a film critic so i could beg tens of thousands of readers to see it rather just the few who will read this post .", "this broken affair is more entertaining than most successful ones .", "the beauty of this utterly winning picture is that it does n't live in a generational vacuum : like the best films of its kind , its tale of young love -lrb- and all the accompanying trials and tribulations -rrb- will speak to all ages .", "a simple , refreshingly honest comedy .", "the film contorts its characters to prove that true love with mr. or ms. right awaits every man or woman patient enough to stumble into it .", "a warm-and-cozy romantic stroll built upon the everyman appeal of joseph gordon-levitt and the refreshingly original storytelling approach of director marc webb .", "falling in love or falling out ? this film offers a helpful tonic for either condition .", "the playful generation y story -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV goes against the grain by wisely substituting delusion for deception . boy meets girl . boy thinks he understands girl . boy oh boy .", "almost everything first-time director marc webb explores rings true here . the comedy never seems forced , and the romance always feels real .", "captures with such immediacy the elation and anxiety of new love , the tingle and the terror , the profound sense that you have never been more alive and the occasional wish that you could die on the spot .", "watching -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV feels like being forced to sit still while someone you ca n't stand tries very hard to charm you .", "a whimsical , bittersweet tale of love-gone-awry", "movies like this are the reason why i love movies .", "as summer , zooey deschanel is an enchanting , blue-eyed mixture of nearness and distance . you can see why tom loves her , even as she stomps on his heart .", "inventive , original and hugely relatable , -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is the perfect screen deconstruction of a relationship , for once , from the man 's point of view .", "tom and summer may not be the most emotionally stable people on the planet , and if they were my friends , i 'd have little sympathy for them .", "forcedly cute , clumsily mechanical , overdetermined , and undernourished , this ostensibly soulful romance is a plastic void .", "it manages to deliver a love story that gets you invested even though you know it ca n't end neatly with either happiness or tragedy , but rather with a bittersweet mishmash of imperfection -- one that that everybody can probably relate to .", "an unpredictable , immensely satisfying experience , much like love itself .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- days is a funny , seductive , and surprisingly honest dramatization of the ways we snooker ourselves into incompatible love .", "it 's very smooth and well done ; marc webb clearly has a solid visual eye and natural sense of pacing .", "you 've seen this movie before -lrb- just usually with a fakey big-kiss ending ; extra points here for the blunt honesty about breakups -rrb- but this one is just right for right now .", "fast , funny and absolutely delightful .", "an engagingly breezy tale about a guy with a broken heart and the girl who broke it .", "given its focus on the zeitgeist topic of romantic uncertainty and the true wit of its construction ... do n't be surprised if this summer provides at least a somewhat hot season at the box office .", "the independent film 500 MOV is as refreshing as hot air . it 's as formulaic and calculating as the hallmark greeting cards to which it feigns superiority .", "a genuine look at love and lose .", "marc webb directs this film brilliantly and makes us fall in love with everything from all 500 days .", "as with a lot of truly satisfying art , -lrb- 500 -rrb- days asks many more questions than it answers , and does so in such a charmingly sloppy fashion that one 's consciousness is left buzzing rather than sedated .", "there she goes , a chestnut mare who ca n't be lassoed , an elusive butterfly traveling to the beat of a different drum .", "smartly written and refreshingly affecting on its own terms . at the very least , it will make you smile .", "together , -lsb- gordon-levitt and deschanel -rsb- pull off the tough trick of making us root for their relationship to succeed and understand if it fails", "not only is it charming and funny , but it takes a strikingly original approach that leaves a big , stupid grin on your face", "joseph gordon-levitt and zooey deschanel light up the screen in marc webb 's directorial debut -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV . that might sound corny , but they do .", "... one of the most entertaining and flat-out original romantic comedies to come around in quite some time ...", "it 's more like an honest-to-goodness relationship , with ecstatic high points , soul-crushing low points , general uncertainty and emotional torment .", "the lead male character is shy and even gentlemanly , which is not just a novelty but a relief in this age of apatow .", "it is , no , not revolutionary , but miraculous and playful ... the smartest film i 've seen about romance in literally years .", "its strengths negate the preciousness .", "cool as a melty creamsicle on a hot summer day and a sweet surprise in the middle of blockbuster season . gordon-levitt 's performance is as starmaking as john cusack 's in the romcom opus , say anything .", "what saves 500 days from terminal shallowness are gordon-levitt and deschanel , who are not the usual picture-perfect androids peopling these young-love idylls .", "tom is a prime example of what happens when you grow up listening to too much sad british pop music : unrealistic expectations for romantic love and a taste for skinny ties and sweater vests . now he 's fallen , and fallen hard , for summer . how could he not ?", "charming yet brutally honest . . offers a certain mainstream appeal for anyone who 's experienced love 's thorny and persuasive illusions .", "a true re-invention of the romantic comedy genre for a male skewed audience , complete with realistic lead characters and hilarious insight .", "heartbreak is rarely enjoyable , but in this case , it 's very easy company -- as are joseph gordon-levitt and zooey deschanel .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is a classic independent film , taking a bunch of risks and trying to break as many rules as possible , yet it is in many ways a traditional ode to love , and it will leave you yearning for the opportunity to be dumped yourself .", "despite the tricky punctuation , -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV might be the most truthful rom-com about the sort of people you 're likely to know ; not inhabitants of some movie version of fairyland .", "a nicely played but all-too-preciously eccentric romance", "500 MOV never quite convinces , despite the charm of the leads . this is wannabe indie , and these two hollywood names are too ` big ' to play beautiful nobodies navigating a heart-wrenching misunderstanding .", "charm effuses from this quirky love story in which fate , coincidence , dreams , expectations and reality are chaotically intertwined .", "too timid to be truly cynical about love and too eager for box-office success to try to be a really new kind of romantic comedy , the film fails the ultimate romantic-comedy test : not only does it lack enough laughs , but you 're never emotionally involved .", "scratch any cynic and you 'll find a romantic ; scratch this movie 's surface and you 'll discover a typically tepid ode to pitter-pattering hearts dressed up in thrift-store chic and faux-edginess .", "it 's a gen-y annie hall made by a new-style wes anderson who uses his cleverness for humanity instead of postmodern superiority .", "smell that sweet , sweet summer air . this is a simply heartfelt , totally engaging and refreshingly realistic romantic comedy .", "an irresistible feel-good movie about love gone bad . and that really is n't bad at all .", "the movie suffers at times from a surfeit of adorableness in its two leads , as well as clumsy voiceover narration and a general sense that the subsidiary characters have about as much edge as plush toys .", "a buoyant , whimsical charmer that glides by on wry laughs and movie-star magnetism .", "the banter can be a bit self-conscious , but it 's hard not to find most of it charming .", "everything that 's wrong , on the surface , with -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV pales in light of everything that 's going on beneath its surface .", "it 's the oldest bittersweet story in the book , of course , but music-video director marc webb approaches his feature debut with great confidence , flair and a minimum of schmaltz .", "not just the best film of the season , it 's one of the best of the year .", "the film gets by on a few funny lines ... some playful split-screen imagery from first-time feature film director marc webb ... and the real star of the picture , second-billed : zooey deschanel .", "i guess maybe i 'm not tom but summer . i like your looks , and heaven knows i appreciate the energy you put into wooing me , but i do n't want us to be a couple .", "una irresistible comedia rom\u00e1ntica que desaf\u00eda algunas convenciones del g\u00e9nero , gracias a un tratamiento fresco y original , una deliciosa banda sonora y dos protagonistas perfectos .", "abound conventions and the occasional nugget of overwrought wit threaten , but fail , to cripple the leads ' revelatory sincerity .", "full review at movies for the masses", "the two leads are as quirky and likable as the movie itself .", "a near perfect genre defying representation of relationships , infatuation , and getting over the first real love of your life ...", "a kind of woody allen comedy but without the jokes . lots of cultural signifiers to make ivy league couples on a date feel at home , but totally lacking in substance .", "at last , here 's a movie that takes the wimpy , tortured , hopelessly-in-love boys from the other movies and tells them to grow up .", "the film revels in the hip witticisms that swim mostly inside a writer 's head but never come forth in the real world with the timing and execution seen here .", "le tout est ex\u00e9cut\u00e9 avec un tel enthousiasme que nous ne pouvons que nous laisser emporter par cette vague on ne peut plus rafra\u00eechissante , et surtout profond\u00e9ment d\u00e9sarmante .", "this is a story that most people can probably relate to , unless you are one of those lucky people never to have been on the losing end of the game of love .", "the swooningly romantic comedy -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is a movie that will be discovered , embraced and shared with friends like a favorite record album .", "boy gets girl and boy loses girl in convoluted , sometimes cloying but ultimately winning fashion in 500 MOV .", "the writing is often clever and the overall production playful and intelligent .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV knocks several romantic movie clich\u00e9s on their ear , but never loses sight of heart or hope , and it never fails to make the ups and downs between tom and summer matter .", "what the film does right , i adore . and , like a love-struck romantic wearing rose-colored glasses , i think i 'll continue to overlook the flaws of the movie when it comes into my life in the future .", "smart , fresh romcom takes realistic look at relationships .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV '' is the first great cinematic romance of the facebook generation .", "finally , a romance that understands we mark our lives by our scrapes with love , and our defeats , rather than simply white-wedding-cake success .", "full review | original score : 4/5ao", "even with its minor imperfections , summer warmly and brightly defies romantic comedy conventions most of the time and deserves to become a surprise hit while finally turning gordon-levitt into a star .", "it 's a tale you 've heard a million times before . but it 's told in such a relatable , inventive way in 500 MOV , it almost feels like the first time .", "this sweetly engaging trifle goes down as easy as cold lemonade on a hot afternoon .", "much like annie hall did for a previous generation , -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV may be the movie that best captures a contemporary romantic sensibility .", "the rest of 500 days sets up as a bit of a mystery , and we look for clues , even as their romance is fresh , for the hairline fractures that might eventually result in a compete break .", "a sharp spin on the usual rom-com formulae , this is funny , sensitive and challenges the genre 's gender conventions .", "by a wide margin the outstanding romantic comedy of 2009 .", "an energetic , enjoyable affair with plenty to say about unrequited love .", "a modern romance for grown-ups ... a sweet-natured , funny , deeply-romantic tale that brims with energy and is blessed with top-notch performances .", "a clever , refreshing , non-formulaic antidote to your average , bog-standard hollywood romcom .", "unabashedly indie heartstring-yanker 500 MOV - while mercifully rejecting the rom-com template - is less than the sum of its well-played parts .", "a playful , witty , disordered telling of a fractured romance . bringing fresh zing to a genre prone to predictability , webb crafts a -lrb- not-in - -rrb- love story about feeling bad that 's infectiously good .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV may not be a particularly happy love story , but it 's a love story all the same .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is an above average rom-com that dares to venture towards an appalling conclusion .", "i 've read somewhere that -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is being called the annie hall de nos jours ; that 's a slur on a great movie , not to say on nos jours .", "500 MOV keeps its audience guessing , hoping , and perhaps most importantly feeling .", "if only some sharp-eyed script editor had run 500 days through the de-sappifying machine , it could have been the first great romantic comedy of 2009 .", "a fresh july breeze among recent -lrb- and mostly stale -rrb- romantic-comedy offerings .", "you are wrong sardonic , omniscient narrator . this is a love story . i am in love with this film .", "by the time we see those first , early moments of heady connection , we realize how the sweetness of those initial feelings will become almost unbearably poignant .", "the film bounces between the relationship 's winning uplslope and its mopey descent , and the intercutting eventually kills the momentum , even though the film 's rousing final minute reclaims some of the early spunk .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is that rare movie about boy meets girl that defeats the oldest nemesis of the rom-com genre : predictability", "a chick flick for guys , a workplace comedy in the billy wilder/cameron crowe mold , a new spin on a familiar genre , `` 500 days '' was one of the best films i saw at sundance .", "this is a film that so respects love -- if it exists -- that it wo n't settle for imitations .", "for all its ambitiousness , -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV feels synthetic and derivative , a movie that 's popping with perceptions while searching for a style .", "parental content review", "an ideal version of this film would be painful and playful , and a good deal less cluttered . but the one we get certainly has delightful moments . after any exposure to this year 's unfailingly smelly mainstream romcoms , it 's a breeze .", "despite clever moments and hornbyesque touches of melancholy , it 's let down by sitcom cliches , and by being weirdly incurious about the inner life of its female lead .", "it is hardly the freshest romantic comedy of the past 20 years . taking the best bits from other movies and rearranging them in a non-linear sequence does not make for an original film .", "a new take on romantic comedy that does n't quite live up to its ambitions .", "if it just misses being this generation 's ` annie hall ' , it 's still deliciously refreshing , sweet and fizzy . a sherbet dip of a movie .", "perfectly played , simultaneously serious and light , endlessly inventive , this is a strong contender for the most original date movie of the year . -lrb- terrific -rrb- stuff .", "director marc webb 's debut feature is as far from a sandra bullock or hugh grant vehicle as you can imagine . what better reason to go see it ? from start to end his subtle movie feather-teases your funny spots : it amazes , refreshes and it delights .", "highly recommended either to enjoy as a couple or wallow in alone .", "an endorphin rush of a movie , which even in its saddest moments is uplifting funny .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is a great film - a step in genre and gender development that will be referenced for years to come . and aside from all that , it 's really good fun .", "the movie charmed me enough to send me out smiling , and i can see younger filmgoers taking it very much to heart .", "marc webb 's first feature-length film is an odd romantic comedy , but it 's a romantic comedy nonetheless -- and a non-excruciating one at that .", "funny , poignant and uncommonly perceptive , growing all the more so the longer one thinks about it .", "it goes down smoothly , thanks in large part to joseph gordon-levitt 's grounded lead performance and marc webb 's slick direction , but it seems like every other scene coughs up a dispiriting clich\u00e9 .", "... an excellent date film aimed at those beyond the usual tweenie audience .", "the ending is tidy and way too cute , but -lrb- 500 -rrb- days is otherwise a different kind of love story : an honest one that takes a piece out of you .", "... ends on a meets cutesy note , but what comes before is a giddily original take on the sentiment that ` love is blind . '", "even if -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is n't truly great , it is great fun , from its fresh view of los angeles to its use of music to its charming leads .", "grazes on the fields of gen-y trends and ' 80 's nostalgia to fatten itself to such a degree , it would be impossible to notice the material is only a few menopausal jokes away from your average nora ephron film .", "an experiment you have to admire for the risks it takes even while being disappointed that it does n't quite come off .", "at this moment , 500 MOV is my favorite film of the year and is love at first sight .", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is something seldom seen : an original romantic comedy .", "oh , -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV , how do i love thee ? let me count the ways -- out of order , and from a list of , well , 500 -lrb- you 'll know why when you see it -rrb- ...", "awkward offbeat summer to autumn romance .", "exceeds its whimsical indie-film touches because it is rooted in the kinds of recognizable truths that give weight to what would otherwise be simply amusing", "-lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV -lsb- is -rsb- to the best sleeper of the season .", "told in brilliantly written non-linear clumps , it is more of a falling-out-of-love story than a traditional tale of boy-meets-girl , they struggle but live happily ever after .", "this is about 500 times smarter than the average romance .", "deschanel never won me over but gordon-levitt 's star continues to rise", "if you are tired of the standard romances that have infested multiplexes as of late , i urge you to seek out -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV , which kind of feels like the memento of romances .", "highlighted by sparkling performances by deschanel and gordon-levitt , everything about this movie is terrific .", "while perhaps a tad too quirky for its own good , this is still one of the best , most insightful romantic comedies in a very long time .", "the director has his own flirtation issues , as he teases audiences with his unconventional hide-and-seek uncommitted lovebird chronicle , while zooey 's got to do charming when dumping her gloomy boy toy prey over a plate of pancakes .", "an introspective , bittersweet romp reminiscent of the best of woody allen .", "perfect casting and all-around craftsmanship make this delightful , music-fueled contemporary rumination on a big-city romance a big summer surprise .", "in romance , we believe what we want to believe . that 's the reason 500 MOV is so appealing .", "-lsb- director -rsb- webb treats his characters and his audience with respect . the result is something worth savoring regardless of the season in which it is seen .", "-lsb- joseph -rsb- gordon-levitt 's performance is reason enough to recommend this movie ... sure to become a cornerstone of a wildly promising career", "there is more cinematic joy in five minutes of -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV than there is in a packed weekend of mainstream romance movies .", "a romantic comedy that feels like real life .", "this movie had me at hello with its unique and captivating fragmented style of presentation .", "sometimes love is a battlefield ; but in -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV it 's a pillow fight in which the posturepedic puffballs have more personality than the protagonists .", "this is a romantic comedy that makes the concept of romantic comedies appealing again -- that reminds you how resonant and transporting they can be when they 're done right .", "the film belongs to its two stars .", "the film itself is a harmless tale and the performances all around are mostly winning , with the exception of deschanel , whose expression never changes throughout all the twists and turns of the romance .", "smart , witty and quirky but never in a pretentious or self-satisfied way , -lrb- 500 -rrb- MOV is simply a well-crafted romantic comedy .", "forget about summer -- this film is all about tom . gordon-levitt delivers , a one-time child actor grown into a sensitive young man with a natural funny bone , taking us with him on his emotional roller coaster ride .", "they really try to entertain with split cameras , a great narrator 's voice , songs and a classic rainy night moment . this is a great film about how you remember a relationship .", "the film seems constructed to short-circuit your attempts to invest anything in it .", "it is n't hugh and andie or meg and whomever , but -lrb- 500 -rrb- days offers hope that hollywood can pass that romance baton to somebody other than the crude crew of the kappa alpha apatow frat house .", "every moment of this sub-annie hall routine confounds not only audience expectation of a balanced feminine perspective but the very notion of romance itself ." ], "summary": "a clever , offbeat romantic comedy , 500 MOV is refreshingly honest and utterly charming .", "id": "770801801" }, { "movie": "on_her_majestys_secret_service", "reviews": [ "even featuring an inferior 007 , on her majesty 's secret service is a landmark change-of-pace , and an exhilarating and affecting piece of entertainment .", "driven by a series of invigorating and breathtaking action sequences and anchored by a bond of rare emotional depth .", "director peter hunt manages to inject some life into this 1969 exercise with a wonderful ski chase , but otherwise the film is a bore .", "film of break-neck physical excitement and stunning visual attractions in which george lazenby replaced sean connery as james bond .", "artistically , bond 's sixth entry , the only one to star aussie george lazenby , is much better than given credit to , though commercially it was one of the weakest .", "essential bond viewing . it should definitely be among the five bond films to make someone a fan of the series .", "besides not being a terribly good bond entry , it 's also a poorly made film .", "-lsb- concentrates -rsb- more on the man than the equipment .", "even hobbled as he is by a character he does n't entirely get , and peter hunt 's antagonistic direction , and the film 's annoying tendency to remind us of connery ... george azenby puts up a good fight .", "an odd interruption in the bond canon that 's neither an unsung masterpiece nor an unmitigated disaster . it 's half terrific , half terrible - the former most often when george lazenby shuts up and peter hunt 's masterful action instincts take over .", "just as entertaining and as visually attractive as the five previous bond films .", "007 in ski country -- and marriage territory ?", "m\u00e9morable pour ses exc\u010ds beaucoup plus que sa pertinence sc\u00e9naristique", "lazenby is n't all that bad , really . top bond production overall helps .", "the bond films were bad enough even with the partially ironic performances of connery .", "george lazenby took bond 's reins from sean connery in this sixth 007 outing , an unfairly oft-maligned film that , while distinctively different than the rest of the series , is still quite fun to watch .", "certainly no worse than the later roger moore efforts and , if only for curiosity value , is well worth a look .", "ditching flash in favour of character development , this stylish and energetic entry is one of the best films in the series . lazenby woz robbed .", "lazenby is very weak , but the movie is rather good", "one of the more entertaining bond films .", "what are bond 's problems now ? they 're too numerous , as usual , to hold the constant attention of anyone other than a charter member of her majesty 's secret service .", "it 's ironic that this , perhaps the weakest bond film , contains the character 's most important piece of development .", "lazenby makes the mistake of trying to imitate connery rather than giving his own interpretation to the role , and as we all know , imitations just make us yearn for the genuine article .", "it offers supremely satisfying versions of all the conventions we expect from the series ... and then it does the one thing you do n't expect a james bond movie to do : it breaks your heart .", "by no means the premium bond , but an intriguing one .", "if you can look past lazenby in the title role , the story line , action , and supporting cast are well above average .", "buoyed by the fine action scenes and the genuinely good script .", "might have been the best bond if not for the bland lazenby .", "one of the best bonds , usually underrated because of lazenby 's performance and constant comparison to sean connery . but it has withstood the test of time .", "any bond fan will tell you this is the best film in the series . it 's my all-time favorite movie .", "the film is often unjustly treated as an odd footnote to the series , an awkward moment from the series ' puberty that the producers would just as soon forget .", "rigg adds the class to feature that connery usually did . when she 's gone , the action scenes are as fine as any bond 's .", "... lazenby is actually pretty good as bond .", "best of the bonds , thanks in no small part to diana rigg ." ], "summary": "george lazenby 's only appearance as 007 is a fine entry in the series , featuring one of the most intriguing bond girls in tracy di vincenzo -lrb- diana rigg -rrb- , breathtaking visuals , and some great ski chases .", "id": "10837" }, { "movie": "autumn_in_new_york", "reviews": [ "there 's nothing magical about the romance in MOV , and nothing even very tragic about its love affair .", "MOV is saddled with a sappy , silly script .", "ryder looks like she does n't want to be anywhere near gere , no less have him touch her .", "a perfectly respectable weeper .", "this love story never convincingly goes beyond the depth of two good-looking people falling in love based on their looks .", "hardly the all-stops-out tearjerker it strives to be .", "a diaphanous daydream of clich\u00e9s , predictable developments , strained romance , and frequently embarrassing dialogue .", "the movie 's biggest fatality is the lack of chemistry between the two stars . even in their most amorous moments , they seem like a randy uncle and his sad-eyed niece .", "a throwback to conventional soap-opera romance which would be fortunate to find an enthusiastic audience on afternoon tv .", "finally ... the melodrama does take over .", "richard gere and winona ryder are never credible as a couple .", "i could n't help rooting for charlotte 's tumor .", "as old-fashioned , sentimental romances go , this well-played kleenex saga is slightly above average .", "the script feels artificial largely because the main characters ' dialogue comes across unnatural .", "am i the only person who is tired of seeing actors play characters who fall in love with beautiful women half their age ?", "the quintessential chick flick , and it 's not going to seduce anyone who does n't have a taste for this kind of schmaltz in the first place . but for what it is , it 's well done .", "if -lsb- gere and ryder are -rsb- not the most charmless doomed lovers of all time they come damned close .", "a respectable enough love story that holds so much promise , yet does n't seem to have had the screenplay kinks worked out before shooting commenced .", "all style and no substance .", "the picture is a veritable bouquet of ardent cliches and witless sentiments .", "the biggest miracle here would be if this movie is still in theaters come autumn .", "chen ... keeps things so downy soft that you 're parched for a little drama -- a spat here hurts about as much as a slumber-party pillow fight .", "the film works best of all as a vehicle for richard gere , who has simply never looked better or held the screen more securely .", "a movie that teaches respect for `` feelings '' through a cocky middle-aged nyc restaurateur who learns he is capable of love in relationship with a vivacious young woman .", "if the movie ... exhibits a loving eye for manhattan exteriors , it 's undone by its own rigidly old-fashioned conventions .", "a workmanlike product that offers occasional , small moments of satisfaction , but , as a whole , is apt to leave audiences wondering why they should care .", "charlotte and will make a charming couple , but that has a lot to do with ryder 's doomed gamine presence and gere 's world-weary rogue .", "the predictable screenplay overcomes the obvious age difference and eventually generates genuine emotion .", "a pleasant surprise .", "this unpredictable , even rigorous film deserves a chance to find its audience .", "gere and ryder look great , but with sparkless chemistry , and gere spending his screen time making sad excuses for his misguided heart , this one 's colder than , well , a winter in new york .", "if -lsb- chen -rsb- is able to take such predictable storylines and breathe life into them , chances are good she 'll have a long and successful career in hollywood .", "nauseating amount of glucose sentiment .", "just what it promises to be : a love story-style romance .", "weak and unmemorable .", "tax forms have more emotional content .", "melodrama is bad enough , contrived melodrama is worse , and badly written contrived melodrama is MOV .", "were you to watch the movie 's first 20 minutes , you might think you were about to see another variation on gere 's megahit ` pretty woman ' ... once it 's revealed that charlotte is a pretty sick woman , however , the film becomes dour and tedious ...", "a banal and sappy romantic melodrama", "... the feel of an old-school weeper ...", "utterly banal , joan chen 's tediously sappy romance is a kind of modern-day love story -lrb- a better film ! -rrb- with a `` twist '' : richard gere 's suave lover is old enough to be winona ryder 's father .", "to sit through this is to suffer the grossest sweaty-palms-on-the-glass sex scene . funny that the film closes with an overbearing end-credits song by jennifer paige - a one-hit wonder who , like `` autumn , '' is a pop-culture footnote best left forgotten .", "though individually attractive , together gere and ryder are as unappetizing a combo as pimento and peach .", "to be sure , not all of the dialogue is compelling or surprising .", "while MOV is a dreadful film , it 's not substantially worse than a lot of the what spills out of tinseltown during the hot season .", "this is one dog of a romantic drama where nothing works and the efforts are far more likely to induce groans and laughter rather than the intended sobs and sympathy .", "as it turned out , the film was n't so bad , but it was n't much good either . it was just sort of ... there .", "the actors are forced to labor through such laughable lines as : ` love is not a race , ' ` you do n't dance , you float ' and other whoppers no sensible girl would buy for a second .", "has no shortage of howlers and telegraphs its plot twists a mile away - but this ultra-glossy weepie turns out to be something of a guilty pleasure almost because of its extreme predictability .", "sappy and melodramatic .", "enjoyment of MOV depends to a certain degree on a viewer 's tolerance for a mood of luxurious melancholy . at 105 minutes , it becomes too much of an indulgence .", "-lsb- chen -rsb- has a lovely sense of film rhythm and a sophisticated eye for luxe effects , but she fell into this vat of goo and there 's no climbing out of it ." ], "summary": "although the film is n't as bad as feared -lrb- it was n't pre-screened for reviews -rrb- , it 's not that good , either . most noticable flaws are the sappy romantic cliches and lack of chemistry between gere and ryder .", "id": "11409" }, { "movie": "eat_pray_love", "reviews": [ "italians have a phrase - che posso fare ? - meaning `` what can i do ? '' that 's sometimes used when the answer is : `` nothing , just go with it . '' lots of things happen in MOV that only the lonely and book club members will understand . you just go with it .", "it 's about something important , the search for meaning and happiness , about finding one 's inner life amid the clutter and confusion of modern existence .", "roberts is precisely the right actress to play this character : she adamantly refuses to be adorable -- she 'd rather just unleash that crazy , unladylike cackle .", "if you 're in the mood for a julia roberts film that provides two hours of `` calgon take me away '' , this is it .", "the cast , led -lrb- by the nose -rrb- by roberts , is pretty . the men are handsome and sensitive . the scenery is beautiful and the techs and production are first class . i still wish that liz went back to italy and had another pizza .", "while MOV has some enlightening , touching , visually breathtaking moments , you still end up praying it would end .", "rodney -lsb- dangerfield -rsb- may have cracked about `` praying after you eat , '' but this film reflects the need to surfeit before finding balance .", "let the cynics scoff - this is a movie that 's beautiful to look at that will leave you with some food for thought , as well .", "in a summer dominated -lrb- as always -rrb- by male-skewering titles , this is a richly rewarding experience for discerning grownups who would n't be caught dead seeing grown ups .", "it 's a shame the actors have to spoil cinematographer robert richardson 's artistry by reciting the drivel that passes for dialog .", "MOV is a long marathon full of self pity and poor interaction .", "julia roberts continues to be one of our finest actresses , and she makes this film less tedious than it could have been .", "you know exactly what you are going to get , kinda like comfort food for your movie going soul .", "most of what made the book connect with so many is entirely missing here .", "i 've got a fourth verb to add to the comma-challenged title of julia roberts ' how-to-be-happy travelogue , MOV . how about `` edit '' ?", "el mayor problema es el subrayado permanente de lo que suele llamarse `` mensaje '' , eso que supuestamente el espectador debe descubrir en el transcurso de una pel\u00edcula y llevarse al final para su casa y que aqu\u00ed est\u00e1 servido como receta .", "merely good and not great as many fans of the book hoped it would be .", "MOV is mostly a slog ; never giving us a compelling reason why its heroine does what she does , or how she became quite so tiresomely self - absorbed .", "a seemingly interminable romantic travelogue that feels as though it takes as long to watch as the year-long spiritual quest it depicts .", "the film version is pure wish-fulfillment fantasy .", "MOV is overlong and quickly becomes tedious . it features narcissistic , inward looking characters of no interest at all and amounts to a very poorly made film .", "liz maybe the most unlikeable character julia roberts has ever had to play , not because co-writer/director ryan murphy is trying to make her so but because everything the film does pushes her in that direction .", "-lsb- takes -rsb- itself too seriously , even while it contains all the trappings of one of the most lighthearted movie genres , the ` travel romance ' or ` travel therapy ' movie .", "full review at movies for the masses", "julia 's late career seems an apologia for buying someone else 's husband and getting away with it , for the most part , in the court of public opinion .", "during the india scenes , liz accuses richard from texas of spouting a bunch of bumper-sticker slogans ... as though her revelations are any better .", "of course , we should remember that the film delivers exactly what it promises by way of the ultimate romantic fantasy for women over 30 or so -lrb- divorced or not -rrb-", "the result is n't spiritual awakening , but a talky travelogue - like riding a tour bus with a passenger who wo n't shut up about her inner journey .", "about the best you can expect from a 21st century cinderella with a book deal who had probably already optioned the rights to turn her story into a hollywood bio-pic .", "was something lost in translation or was the source material not as strong as book sales would have us believe ?", "liz figures she needs to spend some time with no one but herself . speaking as one who has spent 140 minutes with her , i would advise against that .", "as summer draws to a close , MOV is a pleasurable , sometimes even prayerful , escape .", "MOV is the cure for insomnia . the film is boring and a gigantic advertisement for the travel channel , food network and lifetime .", "fans of the memoir might enjoy this film ; others will be checking their watches more than once .", "despite splendid scenery and an appealing julia roberts , the film of elizabeth gilbert 's best-seller about her year-long spiritual quest fails to capture the humor and uplift of the book .", "the audience may find itself wondering how it is that liz manages to find so many places around the world that can maintain her carefully highlighted hair rather than contemplating the spiritual journey", "i saw it . i did n't feel it . look , i 'm happy for julia roberts to travel the world . i just never felt connected to the journey of liz .", "a nice leisurely pace .", "try not to hoot when the gaunt roberts makes a bring-on-the-flab speech to persuade the equally slender tuva novotny to eat pizza , even if they get `` muffin tops . ''", "a vacuous attempt at chick flick epiphany . for all its postcard prettiness , MOV 's purported life lessons are so self-absorbed , had our shallow heroine been a man , we 'd be booing his caddish behaviour .", "even if you buy roberts as an introspective writer -lrb- i did n't -rrb- , there 's no real sense of an emotional journey here .", "it 's in equal measure patronising , sententious and obnoxious .", "in short , it probably should have been titled ` MOV sleep ' as it becomes increasingly difficult to fight off the latter while watching it . -lrb- parental review also available -rrb-", "hanging out with julia roberts being all glowy and charming -- even when she 's somewhat sad about whatever it is she 's sad about -- is still kind of pleasurable .", "MOV only superficially advocates independence and growth while serving up a steaming pile of pseudo-spiritual hyperbole .", "this film is about a woman trying to move mountains to make herself happy , and the singular quest of every other character in the movie is to serve her in that quest .", "MOV is ultimately charming and inspirational . though it does n't have quite the impact of the book , it will likely leave you pondering your life choices and forgiving your flaws . it will certainly have you forgiving the few flaws in the film .", "mired in a milquetoast aesthetic obsessed with trendy `` healing '' tropes -lrb- meditation , close-ups on delicious looking pasta , hunky javier bardem etc. -rrb- .", "it 's the oprahfication of religion ... liz 's time in india is spiritual tourism , as her time in italy was culinary tourism ; it 's all a self-help consumerist approach to world cultures .", "-lsb- these -rsb- are not the teachings one would find for oneself but things out of a self-help book . they feel planned .", "an insane fantasy for rich people .", "`` MOV '' rests on roberts ' talented shoulders . her appeal and personality overcome most of the film 's defects , including a too-long running time , and some platitudes and words of wisdom that sound as if they were written by hallmark .", "a hornet 's nest of irrational behavior , wrapped up snugly in a smug , shallow , and diseased feature film that does a masterful job brainlessly wiggling around for an interminable amount of screentime .", "the director , ryan murphy , brings only the most obvious sentiments to the borderline intolerable proceedings .", "there?s too much eating , too much praying and too much loving . i should have known given the title .", "narcissistic nonsense , styled within an inch of its life in the manner of food , fashion and travel magazines .", "the fatal flaw of MOV is that for a celebration of enlightenment through travel and the benefits of restorative calm , the end result is so hollow and artificial . do n't mistake entitlement for enlightenment .", "a tiresome , humourless , lifeless , overlong dirge in which the lofty pretention to say something deep about the quest for self and the female condition all gets blown away by an insipid , off-the-shelf romantic-movie ending .", "the chemistry shared by roberts and bardem is alert , alive and alluring : everything the rest of MOV should have been , but shied away from .", "MOV is a two hour and fifteen minute ad for being rich ; it 's a smug , patronising travelogue that -- despite its already apt title -- could have also been called first world problems : the movie .", "on the surface a beautiful film . but those looking for some hidden spiritual meaning be warned - MOV does n't go that deep .", "it 's as though the `` phenomenon '' of MOV got away on itself and , rather than casting a self-deprecating , unknown actress who could embody 30-something middle-class angst , they chose the biggest , richest movie star of the lot .", "MOV ... -lsb- hits -rsb- its target demographic right between the eyes , but in the same way that a self-help book may appeal to thousands , it will never be great literature .", "two and a half hours of staring at your navel , or so it felt . i love julia roberts but this movie made you want to scream at the screen , ` snap out of it ! '", "MOV presents liz 's road to enlightenment in ways that are too reverent , too episodic , and too self-absorbed .", "a female adventure movie aimed almost exclusively at 30 or 40-something women who feel there must be more to life than the way they are currently living it .", "julia roberts is back with her best role since `` erin brockovich '' ! jenkins is amazing , with standout supporting work that deserves serious oscar consideration . the pacing is solid despite a 133-minute run time & you get so caught up with the ...", "exotic , escapist and superficially spiritual , it 's shallow , indulgent female wish-fulfillment , sailing off into the sunset .", "do you always talk in bumper sticker ? julia roberts asks richard jenkins as they banter back and forth at an ashram in india . yes , he does . and so does MOV .", "amounts to the mcdonalds version of spirituality , but there is some -lrb- obvious -rrb- truth in the joy of travel and food , the need for a life of balance and reflection .", "the movie left me with the feeling of being trapped with a person of privilege who wo n't stop with the whine whine whine .", "if only this movie could have stopped at `` eat . ''", "if you 've ever been on a vacation that becomes an adventure of meeting interesting , vibrant people , `` MOV '' will bring you back .", "this is a movie about a self-obsessed woman who seems to learn that the wisdom of the ancients is that she should be even more self-obsessed .", "most of its supposed observations sound more like touchy-feely mumbo-jumbo than honest , useful information and advice .", "the movie , which was shot in chronological order in the countries gilbert visited , is also visually striking , more reminiscent of a travelogue than a hollywood blockbuster .", "`` betray devour invade '' would have been a more appropriate title .", "glibly portrays selfishness as a life choice , ranking gluttony on a par with finding god and a life partner .", "there were plenty of ways for the film to signify liz welcoming love back into her life without the trite conclusion that has been conceived here , and it is the one drawback to an otherwise pretty fantastic picture .", "an ambitious but confused and frustrating film that circles near catharsis , occasionally brushing its hem , but that 's about as close as it ever gets .", "it helps that roberts rides all the turbulent waves with such ease and such grace , that jenkins knows exactly what to do with his internal churn , and that bardem can do no wrong .", "the book 's internal dialogue , that of a good observer with a lively mind , has turned into the extravagantly external and cloyingly earnest quest of a woman in deep distress .", "supply acted and engrossing .", "lives are messy . a little mess in the movie would n't have hurt at all .", "-lsb- roberts -rsb- has a down-to-earth , everywoman quality that adds to the film 's `` you go , girl '' mojo .", "ryan murphy brings elizabeth gilbert 's best-selling self-realization memoir to the big screen as a glossy , julia roberts starring travelogue that gives more insight into where to get a great pizza than the benefits of striving for enlightenment .", "let us not underestimate the contribution of our lead . roberts plays down the glamour and turns up the soulfulness , and her off-the-charts likability makes her winning and watchable , even when liz is at her whiny wimpiest .", "you know your movie 's in trouble when its star is outshined by a bowl of spaghetti .", "an effective and frequently satisfying indulgence , but not nearly as much as the book was .", "its span may be global , but its scope is modest , and it accepts a certain superficiality as the price of useful insight .", "the film knows the aesthetic of enlightenment , the filmmakers demonstrate adoration for their subject , but whether or not the film grasps the principle further is very arguable .", "roberts is the obvious focus here , but she 's enough of a pro to get out of the way and let a scene be stolen .", "vibrant editing , an intelligible screenplay , and a magnetic performance by julia roberts keep eat , pray from dipping too far into self-indulgence .", "the film version 's biggest challenge ? the road to self-discovery is littered with clich\u00e9s .", "only hard-core fans of oprah 's bff will be able to stomach this navel-gazing tripe , which posits `` me-first '' consumerism as the road to happiness .", "roberts ' character is difficult to feel sorry for before she sets off on this postcardperfect self-healing binge . she becomes near impossible to like as it becomes apparent we 're watching a huge holiday video .", "the cast is spectacular : roberts looks relaxed , luminous and credible , javier bardem is suitably rugged as her new lover , while richard jenkins is brilliant as her grumbling prayer pal .", "comes off more like a female midlife crisis fantasy than a substantive search for knowledge and inner peace .", "on and on it goes , 140 minutes of tranquillising non-drama . is there anything to wonder at in its journey to the centre of an ego ?", "roberts is luminous against breathtaking locations including all of rome 's landmarks and colourful , sun-nourished eastern landscapes .", "an insipid slice of take-charge-of-your-life hokum ...", "a film titled MOV should at least capture a spiritual experience and offer romance with some sizzle . this felt more like eat grieve befriend .", "sit , watch , groan . yawn , fidget , stretch . eat snickers , pray for end of dire film about julia roberts 's emotional growth , love the fact it ca n't last for ever . wince , daydream , frown .", "what 's the worst foreign journey you 've ever experienced ? mine is this movie .", "a movie of picture postcard landscapes and ridiculously hunky blokes , this is very much cinematic comfort food where the answers to life 's problems come a little too neatly gift-wrapped .", "in the end , the film is far less affecting or thought-provoking than the book .", "the superficial MOV wants to chronicle a person 's rejuvenation through revelatory life experience , but it feels like tapas for the soul .", "a surprisingly joyless , almost-2-hour fable about finding your joy and starring julia roberts , whose innumerable voice-overs become increasingly grating and unwelcome , the film , directed by ryan murphy , is inert .", "like a 2 1/2 hour infomercial about sharing your feelings that replaces any true emotions with some of the most ridiculous and useless spiritual rhetoric you 're ever likely to hear .", "goldilocks and the three boy toys . while in search of the chick flick demographic , the misguided message is that hedonism is the new feminism . but liz does learn a few things , like mastering the art of guilt-free eating and embracing your inner fatty .", "mostly it 's the pleasant company of julia roberts that makes MOV a benign , sometimes soporific slide into femme fantasy -- a less vulgar shopping trip than sex and the city 2 .", "a sensuous and emotionally cathartic adaptation of elizabeth gilbert 's spiritual journey to personal transformation and love .", "politics and economics hardly exist ; each place is populated chiefly by wise exotics who talk funny -lrb- including richard jenkins ' texan in the ashram -rrb- and exist solely to spout slogans and tell stories that make liz 's problems seem small .", "an overlong bore that either mistakenly thinks it 's something more than a humdrum romance or has incorporated a variety of pretentions as window-dressing .", "MOV will be an intense spiritual experience for many who see it - they will end up on their knees , praying for its merciful end .", "a well-meant , if not exactly transcendent , adaptation of elizabeth gilbert 's beloved , oprah-endorsed memoir .", "watching the relationship between liz and felipe evolve from a comforting friendship to a love that 's both companionable and sexy is gratifying .", "what 's inevitably lost is any real attempt to track liz 's internal shifts , the way her travels jostle her preconceived notions of selfhood and spirituality .", "while it touches the main plot points of elizabeth gilbert 's bestselling novel like stepping stones , it is left to julia roberts ' bewitching smile and javier bardem 's sensuality to convince us that liz 's journey of self discovery is one we want to take", "MOV is like an overstuffed lightweight suitcase , with little room for us to feel the emotional connections liz makes with new friends along the way .", "eat lots of popcorn to distract you , pray for it to end , and love richard jenkins . amen .", "preaching to the converted , fans of the book should be sated . julia roberts is easy to love .", "it is a perfectly competently constructed movie , and an enjoyable one too .", "basically a picaresque rom-com about a girl who needs to feel ok about having everything she could ever want .", "while undeniably a chick flick , this is a classy one bolstered by an all-round excellent cast and well crafted script .", "give me real emotions of guilt , embarrassment and confusion any day over the forgettable trite this film exudes .", "a sparkier and more soul-searching script would have made this a much more satisfying journey .", "MOV lies across the screen like a patient on life support whose ticker is about to tick its last tock .", "a minor and superficial summer diversion that offers female viewers not much more than a two-hour escape fantasy .", "easy to swallow if hard to digest , at 2:20 . it 's like sitting in a warm bath - except that you run out of hot water a long time before you 're allowed to get out of the tub", "overlong , repetitive , too simplistic , and bland despite oodles of breathtaking scenery . it 's like a healthy dish that looks aesthetically pleasing , but lacks flavor and needs a more talented chef .", "at the end of the two and a half hours we get to the same point of all the other stereotypical chick flicks . this is an overly intellectual version of any other jennifer lopez or kate hudson romantic comedy .", "julia roberts boasts a charming presence and a lively mind but she deserves better than this superficial , glitzy and fluffy travelogue of self discovery , which has lots of food , some prayers but little love or sex .", "elizabeth gilbert 's best selling tome has been dumbed down and glossed up . fans of the introspective will be disappointed : those looking for decent , escapist entertainment will not .", "the film 's most crucial constituency -- the book 's rabid fans -- are likely to feel well served by murphy 's adaptation , which hews pretty faithfully to gilbert 's story .", "the film , which admittedly stumbles in the home stretch and just misses out on something like greatness , is nonetheless a visual and metaphysical delight . come hungry , come searching , come lonely .", "at the moment , the only person eating more delectably in italy is tilda swinton in i am love .", "though there are a handful of funny lines , the deeper observations are facile . the whole journey feels like a rich girl gone slumming .", "elizabeth gilbert 's phenomenally popular memoir was funny , insightful , and well-written . amazingly , so is the film .", "this is the rare `` chick flick '' that treats its demographic with respect , never becoming the sentimental or manipulative dreck that so many other filmmakers would have delivered from elizabeth gilbert 's bestselling memoirs .", "the film is a fairly faithful transcription of events , even though liz , as played by roberts , carries a faint air of entitlement . i 'm not sure this could be avoided on screen .", "you can see how it would be fun to spend a year traveling with gilbert . a lot more fun than spending nearly 2.5 hours watching a movie about it .", "murphy 's film version of the story is relentlessly superficial , a slick , empty travelogue propped up only by roberts ' natural charisma .", "like any beloved book with a pretty film version , there will be fans of this film , in spite of its flaws . and bless them . i was , mostly , frustrated .", "despite its flaws , an intelligent , beautiful-looking film about the power of one person to radically change the life of another is an unexpected treat in a season of mindless entertainment .", "enough compelling moments to make one want to grab the book and fill in the blanks that the movie 's script seems to have left out .", "eat , pray , love was more like eat , pray for it to end , gag . sample from its menu at your own risk .", "though many movies have explored eastern culture and juxtaposed it against the american experience , there still is something to learn here , especially because it repeatedly questions what 's important in life .", "it does focus on spirituality , a vital part of most human beings which nevertheless is absent in most films .", "... is -lsb- elizabeth -rsb- gilbert really the selfish , shallow , immature narcissist we see here ?", "you have got to be kidding me .", "go pay suffer", "the absolute best i can say about this movie is that i did n't hate it , i did n't mind watching it and i see no reason to ever watch it again .", "it 's hard to call this a bad movie as it is wonderfully and beautifully shot and directed , but its failure to grasp any meaning in its end and its steady decent into boredom make it a failure as a movie overall .", "roberts has taken a role that could have been played very stereotypically -lrb- lonely divorcee ' searches for love and the secret of life -rrb- and breathes life into it .", "awesome photography but possessing more schmaltz than herring shoppers will find at zabar 's on a sunday shopping spree .", "... an irritating , smug film about a horrible person , a narcissistic destroyer of worlds so caught up in romancing her impossibly sensitive self that she does n't even notice the needless damage she inflicts on her fellow creatures .", "ryan murphy 's film adaptation of elizabeth gilbert 's bestseller about the divorced new yorker 's lone odyssey to italy , india and bali to find meaning in her life is a shallow guilty pleasure : an escapist julia roberts romance and exotic travelogue .", "unlike the book , there 's no big emotional breakdown ; instead , this is a postcard-pretty case of midlife soul-searching .", "the food looks great , but the romance is undercooked , and god remains strictly a bit player .", "a heavily idealized journey of self-discovery with a pretty woman -lrb- julia roberts -rrb- , pretty scenery and a pretty shallow view of eastern spirituality .", "it seems determined to drag tears out of the audience , when the quiet , underplayed moments are the ones that pack the true firepower .", "approached purely on the surface , eat serves a sensual cinematic meal .", "it provides a gorgeous escape , exquisitely photographed and full of female wish fulfillment . yet it also offers sufficient emotional heft and self-discovery to make you feel as if you 've actually learned something .", "if only roberts ' warmth , coupled with javier bardem 's scruffy sexiness as felipe , were enough to compensate for the folded-map flatness of this production .", "too preachy , indulgent , and everybody cries . even the extras .", "MOV is n't a bad movie -- just a spiritually dead one , wearing and wearying .", "rather than winning us over , this protagonist merely annoys . we edge close to aa territory as a friend tells her to `` do the work ! '' he also exhorts her to forgive herself . for what ? boring us to death ?", "for two decades , julia roberts has been a bona fide movie star , and she shines in his gorgeous if overlong travelogue .", "one wonders : was the screenplay presented to julia roberts as a traditional bound manuscript , or as a catalog of bumper stickers ?", "it 's all external trappings trying to express internal developments , and the movie 's hand-holding stridency just emphasizes the artificiality of its fantasy .", "i stopped trusting the movie .", "find-your-bliss film appeals but raises questions , too .", "there 's something ridiculously and deeply sad about what MOV reveals about the deprived lives american women lead .", "goldilocks and the three boy toys . while in search of the chick flick demographic , the misguided message is that hedonism is the new feminism . but liz does learn a few things , like mastering the art of guilt-free eating and embracing your inner fatty .", "it may come as a bit of a shock to some that the most interesting turns in the woman-on-a-quest sojourn do n't belong to roberts , luminous though she is . those are owned by a number of misty-eyed if masculine menfolk .", "the movie is above all a lovely travelogue , plunging us viscerally into the middle of every country .", "eat . pray . love . barf ... a celebration of self-indulgence trying to pass itself off as profound soul-searching .", "if you like roberts and understand what it means to `` smile with your liver '' , this is the film for you .", "the movie is aware of its own riches ; it fills up your plate and dares you not to eat .", "a beautiful , languid travelogue , although with some of the source novel 's empowerment diluted .", "an intriguing story brimming with possibilities is softened beyond all meaning by this glossy hollywood production .", "i admired julia roberts ' grasping for something meatier , but this film sticks her with an unrelatable character that even her coltish smile ca n't beautify .", "MOV has some decent performances and the occasional good moment but it 's ultimately let down by a tedious , self-satisfied script , a shocking lack of humour and a criminally indulgent running time .", "avoid like plague .", "roberts ' gorgeousness is served up sacrificially to 140 minutes of psychobabbling `` insights '' , many of them trite or questionable , all of them wearisome .", "we 're not so much involved in the movie as idly registering it -- eavesdropping , almost , on a conversation at an adjoining table .", "a drive-through take on mid-life spirituality - with lots of food and travel porn", "it 's a thin line between `` self-aware '' and `` self-involved '' and it 's one the movie treads uncertainly .", "... a self-indulgent , annoying and mostly boring movie .", "little more than a self-indulgent wallow in white upper-class privilege feigning depth by cloaking itself in fortune cookie wisdom" ], "summary": "the scenery is nice to look at , and julia roberts is as luminous as ever , but without the spiritual and emotional weight of the book that inspired it , MOV is too shallow to resonate .", "id": "770857925" }, { "movie": "wood", "reviews": [ "funny , awkward , or poignant !", "a refreshing , loving look at friendship and growing up black .", "with tender storytelling instincts and a keen ear for teenspeak , famuyiwa flaunts a knack for feel-good comedy .", "it 's got heart and it 's much smarter and funnier than you 'd be led to believe .", "the MOV paints a fair picture of growing up black , bright and , of all things , without sullen malice or uncorrectable misogyny .", "it 's about time someone made a movie with black male characters who are believable and funny without being buffoonish .", "the growing-up stuff is kind of wonderful .", "a fair and admirable comedy we have n't quite seen before .", "since positive images of middle-class black friendships and romance remain rare while gangster tales , drugs and gang gunfire dominate the screen , the MOV gets bonus points .", "the MOV is a solid debut for director famuyiwa .", "the MOV is n't all that fresh .", "this rambling and episodic autobiographical saga of three friends coming of age in inglewood , calif. in the '80s is so determined to be likable that it forgets to be interesting .", "even the charismatic epps ca n't bail out a script that lacks tension , too often substitutes high-fives for dialogue or action and calls for farce scenes that used to get 'em rolling in the stone aisles of ancient greece .", "artificial , tension-free .", "it simply sits there , motionless , without any notable attributes to recommend , or that are even worth mentioning . it 's unfortunate , but it 's the truth .", "inane coming-of-age comedy .", "is n't particularly memorable .", "by the film 's final toast , one feels as if they are indeed part of the MOV .", "the MOV spends too much time wallowing in arrested adolescence to make you feel you 've traveled anywhere .", "a boring and distancing affair !", "a charmer , a heartfelt memoir full of the buoyant good spirits and free-wheeling fun that , say , american pie never had .", "never delves much deeper into the three friends ' psychology than a sitcom pilot would , though the cast try their best .", "it wants to be boyz in the hood -lrb- boyz in the MOV -rrb- but the obscenity laced dialogue and raw objectification of woman renders it a contrite pretender more along the lines of booty call and trippin .", "choppy coming-of-age story .", "an across-the-board delight featuring a spot-on ensemble cast that treats the most awkward and embarrassing moments in the rites of passage with affectionate hilarity .", "three middle-class african-american men yearn to stay forever young as they struggle with their relationships with women .", "heartfelt honesty and a determined refusal to resort to exploitative stereotypes help make the MOV an uncommonly uplifting experience for audiences of all races and backgrounds .", "a well-intentioned exercise in humanism ... but as art or a successful narrative , the movie is ultimately empty .", "nice , but lacks the substance it needs to make us feel as good as it wants us to .", "what are you waiting on ? go see this one !", "famuyiwa has kicked up fertile new storytelling territory for black filmmakers .", "there 's a lot of good interplay between the leads , and the flashback scenes successfully evoke the '80s .", "it is unremarkable in every way , save one -- the cast is african-american .", "winning performances save it from fading into treacle .", "awkward performances , unsure directing flaw the MOV .", "when will epps , who was in the mod squad , get a picture worthy of his obvious talent ?", "a respectable debut .", "this film 's spirit and charm overwhelmingly eclipse technical pops and sputters .", "a sweet-natured , overly familiar coming-of-age enterprise .", "a gentle , honest and amusing coming-of-age story !", "quaint and refreshing !", "the MOV is a sporadically funny buddy movie .", "part after-school sex comedy , part wedding-blues slapstick , part cornball friends-are-family moralization , the MOV exists as a seldom represented american time capsule , and it 's all good .", "nelson hilariously and poignantly portrays mike 's journey into puberty .", "a savvy , good-natured comedy !" ], "summary": "a charming piece of work with believable characters .", "id": "13063" }, { "movie": "yella", "reviews": [ "MOV uses byzantine business deals , corporate shenanigans and sink-or-swim stakes to dramatise the internal negotiation of a character 's -lrb- and a divided nation 's -rrb- dreams and anxieties .", "the consequences of reunification are explored in this effective metaphysical thriller .", "it 's one of those films that keeps swirling in your brain once it 's done -- thanks both to its somewhat unresolved ending and to the many subtle themes touched on throughout .", "somehow , this tightrope walk between the supernatural and underhanded business deals -lrb- call it carnival of michael clayton -rrb- manages the neat trick of keeping its balance .", "far less concerned with character development than with bludgeoning clues to the drama 's true nature .", "a study of the malaise of corporate culture in modern germany with an unsatisfying ending . up until the conclusion , it is quite rewarding .", "MOV is the kind of movie that tantalizes the mind with possibilities without solving the puzzle .", "its scenes involving the perilous business negotiations offer more genuine intellectual excitement than any cgi-stuffed chase .", "though the film attests that the director can masterfully dredge up metaphysical dread , it also proves that he needs to learn to avoid easy ways out .", "dressing up a socio-economic critique as a romantic thriller only works if there 's enough suspense to keep the audience intrigued .", "german writer-director christian petzold returns to top form in MOV , another precision-helmed , tightly wound , metaphysical thriller that confirms him as one of germany 's finest middle-generation directors .", "too obscure and oblique in its aims to completely enthral , MOV manages to get under the skin thanks to hoss ' bewitching performance as the troubled number cruncher and a final reveal that complicates everything that 's gone before .", "a german metaphorical reunification thriller and political allegory equating a blunt and feverish appetite for sex and capitalism .", "a suspenseful film carried off without the viewer knowing what the suspense is all about . ... the mystery happening in the margins of this story is more interesting than the mainline plot .", "MOV clamps down on the viewer with a psychological hold that does n't immediately reveal itself .", "this crisply made thriller begins as a harrowing tale of a young german woman stalked by her deranged ex-husband , but quickly turns into an investigation of the murkier depths of capitalism .", "MOV is a strange beast : a twisty , slightly surreal mystery wrapped around the tedious art of the business deal .", "the twist ending that softens the blow of this otherwise unique and atmospheric work is not for me to ruin , but it should be said that it shows a chink in the filmmaker 's armor", "petzold , a leading light of the current generation of young german filmmakers , succeeds in making the modern world strange again .", "an edgy , intellectual and enigmatic dream-like metaphysical thriller about living in post-reunification contemporary german as a venture capitalist .", "this unusual film has all the appearance of simply being a well-done drama , but there is considerably more on writer-director christian petzold 's mind .", "-lsb- a -rsb- tightly controlled metaphysical horror movie .", "a strange blend of corporate thriller and supernatural mystery .", "while too lean and unassuming to provide real chills , MOV is a cool , disorienting trip , a meditation on death and the complexity of the human brain .", "a supernatural thriller with much to say on the greed and venality that underpins new europe , christian petzold 's german drama is spookily intriguing .", "the adept performances and sharp direction of this thriller allow the viewer to see the writer-director 's point : that life in communist east germany may have been preferable for some to the more prosperous existence in the west .", "this disquieting parable about trust and risk wrong-foots us at every turn .", "towards the end the symbolism gets heavy-handed , but by then the film has already cast its coldly mesmerising spell .", "MOV comes off as too intellectual an exercise to be thoughtful or serious entertainment .", "exquisitely frigid , menacing , disquieting , with a storyline that keeps you off-balance , marred only by a slightly hackneyed d\u00e9nouement .", "a rich , inventive and atmospheric thriller that is somehow able to reveal the final twist while retaining its mysterious allure .", "christian petzold 's disquieting german thriller feels modest while you 're watching it , but makes a stronger-than-expected impact .", "german writer-director christian petzold transforms the classic american cult movie carnival of souls into a bleak drama about soul-sucking alienation in the reunited germany .", "this german rip-off of herk harvey 's 1962 carnival of souls replaces the junky eeriness of the original with a disassociated pretentiousness that is more irritating than creepy .", "the film feels far too schematic and , even allowing for its unrelentingly mercenary premise , far too cold to inspire much viewer identification .", "in spite of some mysterious circumstances , MOV is directed perfunctorily and entirely without suspense or any sense of urgency .", "makes for interesting viewing .", "strikes a perfect balance between corporate intrigue and metaphysical mystery ; his 2007 drama is filled with suspense but ends in delicious ambiguity .", "MOV is a reserved young woman with unrevealed depths of intelligence , larceny and passion . their gradual revelation makes this more than an ordinary thriller , in great part because of the performance of nina hoss in the title role .", "the german offering MOV begins with an utterly gripping first 15 minutes , follows with a passable drama and ends with a big disappointment .", "an import non-thriller so enigmatic and subtle that it 's inert .", "this calculating drama is firmly on the money .", "a neat metaphysical thriller .", "an expertly crafted thriller which offers a pessimistic , though deeply rewarding , glimpse of a society being haunted by its own past .", "filmmaker christian petzold meets his goal of providing an alienating portrait of the business world .", "a haunting suspense drama , which compares favourably with some of the best continental cinema .", "tricky and insinuating , this german drama has the subtle subtext of a thriller as it follows a woman caught at a crossroads in her life . it 's a little aloof and dry , but very well made .", "like its heroine , MOV is well-turned-out but chilly ; it rarely stirs the emotions , but keeps the attention hooked .", "unfortunately , a gimmicky construction helps the writer-director avoid facing the consequences of the drama he 's set up .", "this is , in places , a deeply disturbing film ... yet the touching scenes , when they come , have a surprisingly emotional depth .", "engaging , well acted and impressively directed german drama , though the ending is a bit of a disappointment ." ], "summary": "chilly and haunting , MOV 's atmosphere gets under the skin .", "id": "770674685" }, { "movie": "kite_runner", "reviews": [ "the silly recurrence of an early-movie villain at the end may make you say , ` hell to the no ! ' for the first time , and the same goes for the awkward emotional coda .", "a film of exhilarating , redemptive humanity , conveying an enduring sense of hope .", "the film has its moments of purity and at times they are exquisite -lrb- they almost seem accidental in their innocence -rrb- , but it is the story and its ultimate disingenuousness that overturns the cart .", "although you 'll likely see more artistically daring movies this fall , few will be as satisfying as the MOV .", "fascinating character study and not about kids flying kites .", "an absorbing story in a setting that is both exotic and universal .", "exceptional and enthralling - with its universal themes of honor and redemption", "the movie 's heart is certainly in the right place -- it 's a quietly outraged work -- but i wish there were more excitement in it from moment to moment .", "forster 's solid , unpretentious movie hits its marks squarely , and is n't afraid to wear its heart on its sleeve .", "genuine if not exactly inspiring .", "the afghan boys ' kite-flying contests are the emotional core of the film , and forster and his crew bring the camera into the sky and make it dip and soar along with the kites .", "brings khaled hosseini 's epic vision to gorgeous life -lsb- and -rsb- leaves an equally lasting impression on viewers as the novel did with readers .", "fights a losing battle to reconcile authenticity with performances that vary widely in quality .", "stories of unethical treatment of its child actors by the filmmakers has tarnished the MOV as a film made of the same brand of hubris that its lead character carries for most of the story .", "` the MOV ' is certainly one of the better films in a year of very good ones .", "this is no experimental tale , but a gripping yarn , and the issues it confronts are complicated ones , with many sides .", "both tender and brutal , the sweeping story touches upon such lofty themes as religious fundamentalism , the ravages of war and the overwhelmingly desolate nature of regret .", "afghanistan is a nation tortured by history , but the core feeling in the MOV is heartburning love of the place , its proud people and dusty , rugged beauty .", "director marc forster and screenwriter david benioff fail to capture the full impact of khaled hosseini 's mega-best seller the MOV .", "a respectful adaptation of khaled hosseini 's 2003 novel .", "the MOV is actually a lyrical and understated portrait of life 's journey come full circle , within the context of the immigrant experience .", "some plot turns in the MOV feel predictable and contrived , but there 's nothing false about the film 's overall redemptive flight .", "the MOV is earnest and sentimental and formulaic and obvious . watching it , i could understand the fuss over khaled hosseini 's bestselling novel , but the film did n't make me want to read it .", "if the MOV flies only to flutter and fall a bit , at least it flies for a while .", "does n't rank quite up there with marc forster 's best work , but it still shows him as one of the best filmmakers at work today .", "adapted for the screen with sensitivity by benioff and forster , drawing raw performances from the cast .", "read the novel . or better yet , go fly a kite !", "the pacing is lugubrious , the performances unremarkable , and the movie itself mostly disposable .", "-lsb- a -rsb- pretty good adaptation of khaled hosseini 's pretty good 2003 best-seller .", "the powerful themes of loyalty , shame , and redemption tend to be muted by the same glass-table treatment forster brought to finding neverland .", "if nothing else , though , the MOV does succeed in providing a vibrant window into a region of the world we might not have known and might have felt daunted to seek out .", "it is a big , important work .", "at times brutal , at times touching , the movie stands out as one of the better ` prestige ' productions offered for cinematic consumption during the waning weeks of 2007 .", "it 's okay to be manipulated so long as you do n't feel the strings being pulled . here the tug is constant , and constantly distracting .", "it 's at times poetic , but ultimately the film is yet another draining examination of just how much the whole afghanistan situation really sucks .", "an example of how good intentions do n't necessarily make for a good movie .", "a glossy and admirable condensation of the immensely popular novel ...", "director forster always works wonders with children . it 's what made finding neverland a near-classic . it 's what redeems the intermittent obviousness and flatness of this film about escaping an unforgiving fatherland .", "the filmmakers go by the book in the MOV , a literate , if occasionally listless adaptation of khaled hosseini 's best-selling novel .", "this is one of those stories that , on some primal level , goes straight to the heart .", "the movie version of the MOV succeeds in at least one respect : it does make you want to check out the source material to see what has been glossed over .", "everything good about the book has been removed from the film , and everything trite and unconvincing in the book has been left as the core of the drama .", "a completely captivating and powerful moviegoing experience , a heartwrenching but redemptive story that deftly intertwines the personal and the political .", "by the time it arrives at its final kite-flying scene back in the bay area , the MOV has soared occasionally , but remains too grounded for its own good in the book from which it was supposed to spring .", "director marc forster and writer david benioff might seem odd choices to adapt a book about such a place . but they have respectfully transformed hosseini 's novel .", "uma admir\u00e1vel montanha-russa emocional .", "how often does a single movie seem to capture the very essence of what it means to be alive and aware and imperfect in so simple a story ? this is one of the very best films of 2007 ...", "... an affecting , downright riveting piece of work .", "afghani newcomer ahmad khan mahmidzada 's portrayal of the doting servant hassan is an absolute revelation", "whilst some of the vivid detail in khalid hosseini 's best-selling novel does get lost in translation , director marc forster hits all the emotional high notes .", "a memorable and moving drama about the pain of lost friendship , the yearning for forgiveness , and the freedom that comes from making amends .", "tepid at best .", "a dark tale of gnawing lament and an all-consuming yearning to atone for lifelong shortcomings .", "there have been exemplary movies imported out of the middle east and the surrounding region for well over a decade now , which is perhaps why this u.s.-born-and-bred adaptation ... never exudes the raw , authentic power that such a story demands .", "-lsb- it -rsb- boasts one of the best performances by a child actor , ever .", "the decidedly small-scale finished product does n't quite measure up to the epic scope of its story . fortunately , the film 's heart remains very much intact .", "sure , the movie does n't have the heart of the book , but it does have a solid mechanical pump , strong enough at least to keep a robust story on two-hour life support .", "a humane and enriching motion picture experience that soars and takes flight as a first class piece of filmmaking .", "the movie 's robotic execution does n't match its ambition to tell an adult story for an adult audience .", "what happened to the marc foster who made the compelling indie everything put together ? ... a bland , hollywood production that tells the story the novel 's author outlined without giving it any but the most obvious themes ...", "calls into question why hosseini 's novel was such a chart-climber in the first place other than being one of the first published pieces of fiction to use the taliban as a subplot after 9/11 .", "a sweet and masterful story of survival , transcendence , loyalty and friendship told with striking cinematography . a spiritual piece of work .", "fans of the book are unlikely to be disappointed and people new to the material may find a small film that lingers in their memory much longer than the hyped big ones .", "compelling story , well rendered .", "dolefully faithful to its source in the broad strokes , almost none of the book 's cultural engagement sneaks through .", "a heartfelt saga of cruelty redeemed by belated love .", "the film version of khaled hosseini 's novel is so portentously sincere that you may feel like a cretin for embracing it with anything less than a full heart .", "it may not pack the emotional punch that it could , but it 's an interesting story that 's worth a look .", "it 's a haunting story .", "a good , sprawling yarn that covers a lot of miles and a lot of years .", "a film of deadly serious conviction but undeniable convention ...", "the screen throws the story 's weaknesses into sharper relief than the printed page did , and despite the obvious dedication and craftsmanship , the film finishes as a near-miss .", "you 've got to appreciate getting to live in a city or suburb . things are totally run down in the good areas . the things that make these people happy would make the super sweet 16 kids kill themselves .", "the film has the same weaknesses and strengths as the novel . and its greatest weakness is that the main character is the least interesting and just about the least sympathetic .", "manipulative filmmaking , to be sure , but director marc forster manipulates us so well , we overlook the fact in the viewing and forgive it in the memory .", "i wonder what a different director and screenwriter would have done with the source material .", "the MOV is solid and competently made , but then those are words one always uses when a piece of art falls short of greatness .", "the two young boys are definitely the highlight of the film . their friendship is truly felt , which makes the tragedy that befalls hassan all the more powerful .", "entirely too epic for its own good .", "... a good but not classic movie of a good but not classic novel .", "faked compassion , bland visuals , metaphors dropped like anvils", "a remarkable story with tremendous human interest , about people we think we 've figured out , but about whom we actually know next to nothing .", "the MOV will no doubt warm the hearts of its intended audience , but its nature is one of dubious flattery .", "a skilfully made and subtly powerful film , with a disarmingly human protagonist whose efforts seem all the more real , given his weaknesses and the movie 's authentic feel .", "es un poco inevitable sentir que la pel\u00edcula transcurre casi como un tr\u00e1mite , sin permitirle al espectador una aproximaci\u00f3n mucho m\u00e1s sensible a la historia .", "forster na synehizei na psahnei ti hora toy pote stin paramythenia kampoyl toy protoy meroys , prin perasei sto deytero kommati tis istorias , opoy i prospatheia toy afganoy metanasti na brei thesi sto neo kosmo kai bima na pei tis istories toy , ginetai syn", "the MOV does n't just make us watch the battling kites in the skies over kabul ; it makes us truly see the people below , in many ways for the first time ; that 's the film 's greatest achievement , and ultimately the best reason to see it .", "the MOV is a compelling and uplifting tale that exposes the viewer to an unfamiliar , fascinating culture and a family dynamic that is recognizable and nuanced .", "the MOV has become that most unfortunate of awards-season hollywood casualties : a worthy bore .", "it 's the childhood scenes , and the truthfulness of the boys ' performances , that you remember .", "... comes off as the simplistic oprah-approved gush it always was ...", "MOV remains an effective , deeply felt meditation on forgiveness , and when it stays near the characters , it 's some of the best filmmaking marc forster has ever accomplished .", "in a movie about a storyteller -lrb- amir as an adult in america is played by khalid abdalla -rrb- the storytelling pace moves between deliberate and sluggish .", "like the source novel , marc forster 's film is frequently contrived and melodramatic .", "a dramatic , moving and touching story fraught with danger", "the young actors are quite good , as is homayoun ershadi as amir 's intellectual father .", "the MOV will be loved by many moviegoers for its taste and humanity , but for all the places forster takes us he does n't show us anything we have n't seen .", "this kite soars to rare heights .", "the movie never connects emotionally . there 's something false about the storytelling ; much seems black and white , morally , and there 's a hole where the heart of this thing should be .", "the actors , and the many cultural specifics the movie imparts , overcome the script 's deficiencies .", "the marc forster-directed version of the khaled hosseini novel does one part of the story so well that its success underlines what 's lacking in what remains .", "the movie has two extraordinary characters and performances . non-pro ahmad khan mahmidzada breaks your heart as the innocent , wide-eyed child hassan , and homayoun ershadi makes amir 's father a model of intuitive decency .", "this is more an entertaining than a profound film .", "this movie never gets started .", "there is a compelling movie in this somewhere , but the film as made lacks a certain momentum .", "faithful to the bestselling novel on which it 's based , the MOV is a thoughtful , often heart-wrenching story about betrayal and redemption .", "the power of the film 's key scenes can make you forget the long , long , long trip it takes to get to them .", "... the film is entertaining with superb acting , but a far cry from making the impact that the book did . why it minimizes the brutality of the taliban is mystifying .", "the MOV is a curiosity in that it is a film driven almost entirely by its story , to the point that all the actors - save the fiercely patriarchal homayoun ershadi as amir 's father - seem purely functional , if not negligible .", "the narrative is a tapestry entwined from personal and political threads ; the result is emotionally overwhelming", "alternately chilling and thrilling , the MOV tugs at some emotional strings not often yanked with such frankness .", "the MOV is a film that both soars like its kite metaphor on the air currents of good storytelling , and falls to earth when its credibility is cut out from under it .", "hampered by a dull leading performance , marc foster and screenwriter david benioff 's adaptation of khaled hosseini 's hugely popular novel skimps on the book 's real value in favor of bland melodrama and absurd dramatics .", "a heart-wrenching tale of lost friendship and redemption , `` the MOV '' is as memorable as a movie as it is a novel .", "friendship , loyalty , tragedy , and politics are themes sensitively and sometimes terrifyingly examined . but the film 's hopeful spirit hits home despite the differences in our culture and language .", "hosseini 's over-done melodrama that does n't so much open our eyes to afghanistan as reinforce everything negative we 've already suspected .", "moments feel disappointingly scripted , so it 's especially good news that many of its characters do not .", "yet another coming-of-age story , with complex emotions and developments distilled into simplistic cliches ; it 's as middle-of-the-road as they come .", "the movie slides downhill after its fine portrayal of childhood bonds and cowardice in afghanistan twenty-six years in the past .", "a qualified success .", "... the most cinematic elements of the novel are the weakest parts of the movie .", "a positive and uplifting story about the kind of interpersonal loyalty that not even a terrorist organization can destroy .", "it 's the kind of film whose major accomplishment is to make you think , ` wow , the book is probably really good . i should have stayed home and read it . '", "relies heavily on gimmicky turns in the action leading toward teary crescendos", "mr. forster has been soundly defeated by the MOV . despite the film 's far-flung locations , there is remarkably little of visual interest here ; the setups are banal , and the scenes lack tension , which no amount of editing can provide .", "how long has it been since you saw a movie that succeeds as pure story ? that does n't depend on stars , effects or genres , but simply fascinates you with how it will turn out ?", "the MOV feels authentic in its ethnic tensions , even when the narrative itself , with its handily reappearing and easily avenged villain , undermines that authenticity .", "epic yet intimate , forster 's faithful rendition of the beloved novel is a touching morality tale of fathers and sons , friendship , betrayal and redemption ; if the film becomes a conventional and sentimental fable , so does the book .", "nuanced perfs and standout production design convey story in cinematic terms , preserving the narrative 's emotional power and historical sweep as it spans continents and decades .", "a workmanlike , if decaffeinated version of khaled hosseini 's bestselling novel .", "the third of the film given to the boys ' childhood adventures is excellent , both kids fully convincing as pals who 'll never part .", "there 's a lethargy and a reverence about this film that seem misplaced , as though forster and screenwriter david benioff thought they were adapting a sacred text and forgot they were making drama .", "it 's a brutal second act , really .", "perhaps he might have been tougher but that might have rendered the film less digestible .", "the MOV is dramatically and visually sumptuous", "forster 's self-important direction submarines a film that begins well , but slips into melodrama and plods towards anti-climax .", "there 's something timid and tasteful about the filmmaking which struck me as pretty mendacious , in a story about a blood bond severed by rape and mended , a generation on , by a rather too tidy act of atonement .", "a cracking final 20 minutes leave you realising what an evil bunch of idiots the taliban really are .", "based on khaled hosseini 's highly regarded novel , this story of exile , ambition and betrayal has an emotional power that outstrips its occasional implausibilities .", "the measured mise-en-sc\u010dne is fine for the boyhood scenes . character-building alternates with brief bursts of image music , such as the kite-flying contest that fills the kabul sky with darting , colourful fabric-birds .", "maudlin , implausible and dull .", "the film feels totally convincing in all its technical aspects , including its use of chinese locations to double for the story 's afghan setting .", "... fails to rise above a dickens-like tale of betrayal and redemption", "the film retains the novel 's universal elements , but some of the political specifics get lost in translation", "an absorbing generational story whose lack of a religious agenda in a middle east context is a noteworthy commitment to the unburdened language of art .", "forster 's mix of topicality and sensationalism makes the MOV sentimental , not profound .", "stellar acting by two youths makes believable the theme that you can go home again both geographically and morally .", "forster transforms a presumably brutal and nuanced account of class difference and innocence lost into disney-style kitsch .", "the type of film one would expect from marc forster -- banal , trite and apt to ramrod simplistic symbolism down viewers ' throats .", "well-intentioned but hardly convincing depiction of the haunting afghanistan landscape .", "i wo n't deny that the film is sometimes rushed , oversimplified and skimpy on the details of afghan culture that informed the book . but the tale still takes hold .", "visually arresting , politically controversial , perhaps its greatest virtue is its simple message of making wrong right .", "armed with a capably hands-off screenplay by david benioff , -lsb- forster -rsb- made a drama as bland and beige as its tasteful palette , whose pacing would n't look out of place in the sunday-night slot on pbs .", "gently moving adaptation by marc forster takes off but never quite soars .", "the film 's belief in the power of redemption and its subtle assertion of the need for moral courage in personal -lrb- or political -rrb- conflict , is never allowed to get in the way of its boldly told , intelligent , informed and affecting story .", "forster takes few liberties with hosseini 's novel : it 's a straightforward , anadorned adaptation with the much of the dialogue in persian and a capable non-starry cast .", "an engaging melodrama whose less convincing plot points are superseded by some astonishingly affecting performances from the mostly unknown cast .", "impressively directed and superbly written , this is a moving emotional drama with strong performances from its two young leads .", "showcasing a welcome lack of big-budget attitude , the MOV makes up for its small flaws with an engaging , thought-provoking story and a willingness to tackle some very dark issues .", "an enthralling piece of cinema .", "the film deftly spans the cruelty of afghan history , from the soviet invasion to taliban desolation .", "it would take a viewer with the aesthetic skills of an olympian to overcome the horrendous hurdles placed in entertainment 's way by this well-meaning but misguided adaptation of the famed bestseller .", "the part of the film set in kabul -lrb- actually filmed in china -rrb- is fascinating , breathtaking and exciting .", "-lsb- the filmmakers -rsb- sensitively handle the breakdown of amir and hassan 's friendship -lsb- and -rsb- grasp the tension between the hardship of those who remained in afghanistan and the guilt of those who fled ." ], "summary": "despite some fine performances , the MOV is just shy of rendering the magic of the novel on to the big screen .", "id": "770671962" }, { "movie": "mutual_appreciation", "reviews": [ "director andrew bujalski and his amazing cast create such a unique and addicting experience that these 110 minutes go by in no time at all and the only thing you want when it 's all over is more .", "this new film will likely earn even fewer fans but it 's an even more accomplished work .", "twice now -lsb- director -rsb- bujalski has created a compelling film on a shoestring budget , making me wonder what he could do with some real fiscal backing .", "the attraction here is the naturalistic , dead-on dialogue delivered by articulate , interesting characters who live realistically lower-class lives in underfurnished apartments financed by dead-end jobs .", "the movie is made of small moments ; they add up in your mind to something bigger later , the way life does outside of movies .", "MOV shows life as contingent , conditional , enigmatic , never finally realized , as , in short , everything that the harvey mansfields of the world abhor , and it shows why to accept this kind of life is an act of strength .", "MOV appropriates a seemingly improvised v\u00e9rit\u00e9 style that 's ideal for a cast of characters of no tremendous ambition .", "the kind of movie whose dialogue mostly hews to the rhythms of ` like , you know , whatever ' but then occasionally throws in a word such as ` puissance . ' and , like , it totally works .", "bujalski 's tantalizing cultish films are the best work i 've seen coming out of recent american indie films .", "there is no denying the director-screenwriter 's ability to capture a certain real-life quality on film .", "bujalski 's writing is so good , and every shot and edit seems exactly right .", "one of bujalski 's gifts is his ability to give every part , no matter how big or small , a sense of intelligence and life that extends beyond the frame and running time , and in this his work recalls the best of both mike leigh and richard linklater .", "if this is the sound of a new generation , then it may be the first generation cautious enough to embrace friendship as mightier than love .", "what douglas sirk did for big-budget hollywood melodrama in films like imitation of life , andrew bujarski is doing for the low-budget indie .", "any other romantic melodrama would have them bubbling over with passion , but these characters are painfully tentative and believably so , given that they 're both betraying someone they care about .", "-lsb- bujalski 's -rsb- free-floating comedies of manners -- of rudderless young people who ca n't articulate their feelings to themselves , let alone others -- turn out to be shapely , cunning , and indelibly strange .", "andrew bujalski is officially the real deal .", "a modest step up from its assured predecessor in both content and form .", "bujalski 's most avant-garde device is simply cutting from scene to scene , letting the temporal ellipses fall where they might .", "if john cassavetes had directed a script by eric rohmer , the result might have looked and sounded like MOV .", "you might think of MOV as an emo cover of godard 's masculine/feminine : a meditation on the crisscrossed subjectivities of boys and girls , their mutual comprehension or lack thereof .", "written and directed by andrew bujalski , this wonderful independent film wo n't save or change your life , but it may make your heart swell .", "the painful honesty and geeky cool draws you in , but the film 's sweet-natured humour seals the deal .", "bujalski perfectly skewers what you might call the `` sort-of '' generation : educated , mid-20s white americans hemmed in by their own non-committal uncertainty .", "bujalski is a shrewd comic observer , and astute enough a director to get the most of his engaging actors .", "indebted to the films of jim jarmusch and john cassavetes , bujalski invests this love triangle with real empathy for his bumbling , hyper-articulate characters , and a sly , edgy humour .", "the grainy , black-and-white look and the characters ' ethos dovetail perfectly .", "you 'll either be bored or fascinated by the cassavetes-like reality of it all .", "every scene in bujalski 's films is a little awkward , and just right .", "the focus is narrow , but its scrutiny is absolutely unerring .", "despite their lackadaisical impression , the pictures are quite tightly structured : each scene covers emotional and narrative distance . funny , forgiving , credible and deft , they offer much to appreciate .", "just because you shoot semi-improvised scenes in black-and-white does n't mean you 're the new jim jarmusch .", "just because it 's like real life does n't mean it 's inherently interesting .", "the dark side of a waldorf education .", "already an indie fan favourite thanks to the no-budget romp funny ha ha , director andrew bujalski here slays the sophomore slump with another scruffy but bang-on look at life in the slow lane .", "to capture the mundane rhythms of everyday existence without being tedious is a tough task , which makes the difficulties -lsb- director -rsb- bujalski has had getting his films distributed a puzzling and frustrating thing .", "it certainly does n't help that these characters just are n't worth a two-hour investment . unless you 're a fan of independent music , there 's little chance you 'll want to spend that much time with them .", "the shaggy honesty is bracing and the modest stories of young adults too tentative and nervous to do more than talk around an issue have a perceptive authenticity that does n't shake off easily .", "bujalski stubbornly refuses to stick to the accepted constructs of story structure or character development , content to sit back and calmly carve off a thick , juicy slice of a life that 's all the more sumptuous for its texture .", "alan , lawrence and ellie , intersecting here and there with a circle of acquaintances and strangers , insinuate themselves into the viewer 's heart like good friends .", "the film 's mood and style are pitched somewhere between '60s american indie and french new wave and , as you watch these people , they seem painfully , amusingly on-target .", "shooting in black-and-white 16 mm , bujalski nods to the pre-sundance personal cinema of the '50s and '60s . his little circle of pals , though , offers little to outsiders looking in .", "this second film ... is the more assured of the two ... gives one the feeling of discovery , of finding a diamond in the rough .", "bujalski is obviously a natural born filmmaker , capturing casually perfect moments that build unto an unexpectedly powerful whole .", "MOV is n't much more interesting than hanging out with four smart , nice , semi-confused people in their 20s . but that puts it far above the average movie .", "-lsb- MOV -rsb- carries a rush that has rarely been felt in a movie since the early new wave .", "more than an effortlessly perceptive observer , bujalski has honed deceptively stylized visuals to serve deceptively stylized drama . isolated by their lonesome , compositions are so inert as to seem intentionally inexpressive , but altogether , a visual strat", "the latest from funny ha ha director andrew bujalski -- the cinema 's reigning poet laureate of postcollegiate anomie -- is another baggy , charmingly disheveled romp through awkward courtship rituals and uncomfortable silences .", "ladies and gentlemen , welcome to the new awkward .", "you ca n't exactly call it progress , but it is thrilling -lrb- in a low-key sort of way -rrb- to see real young adults looking and acting the way they do , light years away from the toothy flesh-bots that have supplanted them on screen .", "here 's hoping that somehow , this intelligent , uncommonly perceptive film finds the fairy-tale success it deserves ." ], "summary": "director bujalski continues to give cinematic voice to awkward , literate twentysomethings with noteworthy smarts and tenderness .", "id": "326394549" }, { "movie": "lethal_weapon_4", "reviews": [ "while the action interludes are impressively staged and edited , they strain for originality ...", "you know what makes this film eminently more watchable than the last in the series ? two words : jet li .", "a flaccid , unnecessary wrap-up to a once-glorious series ...", "channing gibson wrote the screenplay , and three other writers are credited with the story , which is surprising since there is n't much of a story .", "fourth time 's the charm for the lethal weapon series ; i say case closed and let 's go out on a high note .", "no , it 's not very exciting . and that 's the film 's big flaw .", "i heard audience members yelling out , ` rewind it -- i wan na see that again ! '", "the climactic streetfighting clash between mel and coldly charismatic martial arts star jet li is a bone-crunching classic .", "offers absolutely nothing new .", "a moderately entertaining entry in an overrated series that sorely lacks the hard-edged toughness director walter hill brought to his two superior 48 hrs films .", "i could only recommend this for serious fans of the series .", "you can relax and let the good guys dazzle with stunts and thrills ...", "twelve years later , the franchise shows unflagging energy , inventiveness , humor . 4 rocks .", "a combination of good-natured humor , slapstick , violence and even some maudlin sentimentality .", "i started checking my watch after forty minutes .", "gag sequences run on too long , some character scenes end too abruptly , and most of the action is completely redundant .", "not so much a continuation of the series as it is a present for the fans , just to keep them smiling and laughing along with the characters .", "in short , it 's a mess , albeit a weirdly entertaining mess ...", "MOV has all the technical skill of the first three movies in the series , but lacks the secret weapon , which was conviction .", "just another buddy movie about a pair of cops trying to get the bad guys so they can go home and relax with their loved ones .", "the bad guy plot is dull and tiresome ; the real charm of the film lies in its comedic elements and character relationships .", "... i think the script by television writer channing gibson -lrb- no relation -rrb- is the funniest of them all .", "the franchise itself is now , alas , getting too old for this , er , stuff .", "all icing , no cake .", "more often than not it , seems like a pale retread of its predecessors .", "the very definition of a meaningless , mindless summer sequel .", "a fine ending", "not only is the franchise growing hoary , by now it 's become downright laughable , leaving MOV feeling more like a bad fox sitcom than anything else .", "MOV throws in everything except the kitchen sink -- and that 's only if you do n't count the one that 's destroyed along with the rest of the murtaugh household .", "if not for jet li , MOV would actually be worse than lethal weapon 3 .", "hong kong action plus buddy cop formula .", "with ` MOV ' we find the silliest and most sentimental of the bunch .", "mindless , sadistic violence juxtaposed with rote sentimentality : this is how hollywood has finally solved the family-values conundrum , the question of how to entertain the blood - and sex-starved masses and be morally proactive at the same time .", "cynical and contemptuous of its audience , this lazy sequel oozes an insufferable air of self-satisfaction .", "you 're best advised to put your head in the sand and avoid all three sequels .", "it matters little that the film is rife with non sequiturs , nonsense and nihilistic violence , because its heroes are so darn buoyant and charming .", "fun stuff !", "it delivers the action you expect from this series .", "the ultimate example of a paycheck movie .", "the relationship/humour stuff in MOV is pretty much excruciating , mawkish and inane ... the second part of lethal weapon 044 , the action sequences , are much better .", "explosiva , hilarante , exagerada , llamativa , enredada , cambiante , disfrutable , divertida , muy divertida .", "although MOV is certainly the least of the series , it is a fun popcorn experience .", "there 's no plot worth describing , no repartee wittier than ` oh shut up , ' no acting moments that rise above the level of posing .", "overstuffed and formulaic ...", "the performances are exceptional , richard donner 's direction is still good , and the film is always entertaining , if unfocused .", "one could argue about which lethal weapon is the best , but no. 4 is certainly the funniest , warmest and most idiosyncratic .", "... audiences will laugh and cry and even chew on their fingers during the action sequences .", "even in this fourth go-round , the magic and charm is definitely still there .", "crass , vulgar , childish , ultraviolent , profane , stupid and appealing to the lowest common denominator of movie audiences . and yet ...", "... in their ` bigger and louder is better ' zeal , he -lsb- donner -rsb- and series co-creator shane black have all but forgotten how to tell a coherent story and create sympathetic characters .", "a highly charged action adventure/comedy drama .", "given the expectations that constrain it , MOV is probably the best motion picture that could possibly result from another teaming of martin riggs -lrb- mel gibson -rrb- and roger murtaugh -lrb- danny glover -rrb- .", "pretty hideous entry into the lethal weapon oeuvre ...", "the plot is really just an excuse for some wild stunts and flashy martial arts demonstrations , and MOV does n't compromise on either .", "the surreal opening scene , featuring an armor-clad flamethrower-brandishing villain , is a clear indicator that few things in this film should be taken seriously .", "... solidly entertaining ...", "there 's all kinds of quirks and tidbits that are worth smiling at , but nothing like the original movies , really .", "about four times as good as you 'd expect .", "pardon me for having groaned in anticipation of what , in the full perspective-warping heat of the summer movie season , turns out to be one of the nicer blow - 'em - ups around .", "let me just say , jet li rocks in the kind of american debut jackie chan or chow yun-fat would have killed for .", "no longer lethal , detective riggs is a crotchety middle-aged weapon now" ], "summary": "jet li 's arrival breathes fresh life into a tired franchise formula -- but not enough to put MOV on equal footing with its predecessors .", "id": "13559" }, { "movie": "grzeli_nateli_dgeebi", "reviews": [ "this adroit and understated coming-of-age film reminded me of the new wave of czech films in the 1960s , but with a distinctive poignancy that translates to wisdom .", "this haunting coming-of-age film is set in a country that itself is coming of age .", "despite the seeming inevitability of tragedy and despair , `` in bloom '' remains true to its title .", "among the best features to come recently out of eastern europe , featuring the tough-minded cinematography of romania 's oleg matu , who shot 4 months , 3 weeks , and 2 days .", "the film accurately reflects the girls ' numbness , but it is devoid of sustaining emotional impact . eka and natia 's full pain is oddly remote .", "the world painted by directors nana ekvtimishvili and simon grob is almost relentlessly grim , and even the giggles of two schoolgirls get drowned .", "while `` in bloom '' offers an authentic slice of life from a particular time and place , it never gets close enough to its characters , physically or emotionally , to really hit home .", "like a bomb triggered to go off , in bloom builds in the viewer 's gut , a drama coiled to attack .", "the excellent new drama in bloom , georgia 's oscar entry in the foreign-language category , has the heartbreak and hope of a country slipped inside a coming-of age-story of two 14-year-old girls .", "a fascinating snapshot of a country at war with itself -lrb- literally , eventually -rrb- as seen through the eyes of two teenage girls , whose lives are complicated enough as it is .", "the foreclosure of possibilities provided by the use of the long take assists in the indictment of chauvinism and patriarchal brutality that underpin , directly and indirectly , many moments in the film .", "the site of the action , the pummeled landscape of revolution and war , is n't incidental -- it 's what their generation has inherited , alongside disorder and dissent .", "girls become women as the nation of georgia awkwardly tries on its own independence in this sluggish period piece , set in post-soviet 1992 and alternating earnest emotions and a stunted plot .", "keenly observed , geographically specific portraits of adolescence are always welcome , but there 's definitely something to be said for charging the genre 's usual tender lyricism with an ever-present threat of life-altering violence .", "its two nonprofessional child actors ably reflect the terror of the times .", "an absorbing , intelligently assembled coming-of-ager that revolves around two pubescent gal-pals growing up in 1992 , just after independence was restored .", "first-time writer-director revisits her bittersweet tblisi childhood .", "the double meaning becomes clear early on . what takes longer to recognize is the title 's bitter irony .", "in bloom so triumphantly , albeit modestly , transcends its category that it 's really quite special .", "where the two directors , georgia 's nana ekvtimishvili and germany 's simon gross , excel most is in the performances they capture from the two leads .", "it matter-of-factly lays out the predicaments of its characters , balancing a strong , implicit feminist sensibility with a sympathetic sense of the power of tradition .", "a neorealist jewel about a country unlucky enough to enjoy being `` liberated '' from socialism .", "it 's a universal story that is also , by virtue of its very particular time and place , a singular experience .", "the directors stay close on their characters and let scenes play out in handheld long takes , so that the miseries inflicted never feel distant or clinical , but immediate .", "it 's appropriately weighty and filled with loss-of-innocence undertones and some fun cultural detours , yet the film 's odd flatness makes it hard to invest in .", "in bloom is a beautiful but cynical look at adolescence that argues coming-of-age brings new hardships along with it .", "a tender , heartfelt and understated coming-of-age story that becomes slightly uneven when introducing thriller elements .", "the viewer becomes keenly aware that she is only getting part of the story . but when the truth is so troubling , sometimes part of the story is more than enough .", "the two nonprofessional actresses shine .", "the centrifugal force is supplied by two stunning lead turns by babluani and bokeria .", "as civility and sympathy prove to be in ... short supply , the girls ' unwavering devotion to each other makes for absorbing drama .", "this terrifically engaging work raises important questions about universal experience and cultural context - in this case , the search for independent female identity in a society all but suffocated by the threat of violence .", "bold and brassy , georgia 's best foreign film entry may not be the cheeriest viewing but it 's still a compelling coming-of-age drama .", "unpredictable , never forced , and forever compelling .", "this tense and naturalistic tale of georgian youth in revolt offers a clever new twist on the tired teen movie .", "co-director nana ekvtimishvili 's script , nurtured on memories of her own childhood , becomes more focused , even sourly funny , as it evolves .", "as arthouse coming-of-age films go , this is brilliant -- smart and sensitive with a screw-you feminist streak .", "babluani and bokeria are completely believable as the two teenagers who have to grow up very quickly , and a long , uninterrupted scene in which the former dances , alone , at her friend 's wedding is a highlight of an extremely engaging movie .", "teen life in in bloom is tense , terse , gritty , and galvanising , but for its characters , heartbreakingly , there is no other alternative .", "the young actresses however are sublime in their roles .", "this is a story of adolescence and female friendship under pressure , explored with a quietly engrossing combination of familiarity and strangeness .", "there are moments that are powerful to ekvtimishvili that are more likely merely glancing to the audience , but the unadorned performances and air of unease combine for a film rich in social realism .", "portraying lives a universe away from the malls and frippery of their western counterparts , eka -lrb- lika babluani -rrb- and natia -lrb- mariam bokeria -rrb- cope with food shortages , bullying , bad families , a ramshackle education system -lsb- and -rsb- forced marriages .", "directors nana ekvtimshvili and simon gross adopt the long , contemplative takes of the new wave ; much of the film feels familiar , but the location shooting and period details are nicely drawn , a result of ekvtimshvili 's autobiographical script .", "the performances are naturalistic and severe , especially the highly volatile families , where shouting matches are almost traumatising to hear and to watch . but ... the film ends without having said enough to satisfy us", "the leads are played with freshness and mischief by lika babluani as eka and mariam bokeria as natia .", "this film out of georgia -lrb- the country , not the state -rrb- depicts a society not far removed from anarchy , or the middle ages , for that matter . there 's not much light or laughter in this grim tale of limited choices ." ], "summary": "a coming-of-age drama entwined with a political statement , in bloom underscores its well-worn themes with strong performances and palpable real-world tension .", "id": "771359084" }, { "movie": "cradle_will_rock", "reviews": [ "writer-director robbins serves up a hearty helping of history , politics and star power .", "when the final shot of a modern disney-controlled times square bludgeons the point home one last time , you realize that the cradle rocked , fell and landed with a big , dumb thud .", "a confused , unrefined agitprop movie .", "in his enthusiasm to both educate and entertain , robbins has grossly overreached his abilities to formulate a digestible narrative , piling on stories , characters , issues and political debate such that the film begins to feel incomprehensibly and oppressiv", "willfully superficial .", "proves to be a very apt title ; it sways haphazardly for a while , but it does eventually find its steady rhythm .", "a total celebration of theatre , history and politics .", "witty , entertaining and different .", "rock actually rocks out as one of the year 's most purely entertaining movies .", "if you 've got some time to kill and have seen everything else , put this on your list . ''", "this one 's entertaining and educational .", "cuts to the quick with its portrait of the shadow side of america where fear , greed , racial hatred , and power stifle those who believe in creativity and a fair share for all .", "you 'll be hard-pressed to find a film as bloated and self-important as tim robbins ' MOV , easily one of the worst movies in recent memory .", "trust writer-director tim robbins to know how to tickle an audience while making a political point .", "MOV is a far from perfect film , but it 's never less than fascinating .", "tim robbins ' new deal theatrical fable tries hard -- too hard .", "al final , se convierte en una colorida celebraci\u00f3n del arte como forma de expresi\u00f3n , como compromiso de trabajo y como medio de reivindicaci\u00f3n de justicia .", "art and politics collide in tim robbins ' ambitious but not entirely successful effort to recreate a unique moment in american culture circa 1937 .", "art and politics and ideals ; mature .", "bertolt brecht is probably doing somersaults of joy in his grave or wherever his remains happen to be .", "the movie 's radical stance is that artists should get to do their art without being destroyed by mean rich people , and are n't we just wonderful for agreeing with that ?", "robbins is so convinced of his movie 's political correctness that he could n't see its lack of dramatic cohesion or luster .", "none of the characters are compelling , and , if the movie had aired on television , i 'm sure i would have turned it off long before it was over .", "good entertainment with superior acting performances and a stellar cast .", "my companion got a ba in music , has a ph.d. , studied art & lit of the depression , loves 30 's music & still felt the movie was targeted to a niche more select than himself .", "a reach exceeding robbins ' grasp .", "remarkably complex , funny and thought-provoking .", "unquestionably repetitive and simplistic .", "robbins has made the classic mistake of thinking that art that 's persecuted for its political ideals must be good art .", "the direction of the film is so slow that i got carpal tunnel syndrome from raising my hand so often to check the time .", "the story , being true , is compelling and political enough for robbins to make his point . but the film becomes a bludgeon and the musical , finally brought off , is a farce .", "the unfortunate thing about the film , is that it is not terribly entertaining .", "you 'll marvel at it . . simply marvel . but you may not `` feel '' until the climax .", "a rollicking , joyous excursion .", "knows how to get audiences clapping along .", "a history lesson taught by a truly interesting professor .", "an interesting and vibrant look at american theater .", "as a mixture of drama , humor and history , a m\u00e9lange of seriousness and slapstick , real people and imagined characters , it definitely stands out .", "marvelous , provocative entertainment .", "stunningly cinematic and audacious on every level .", "redgrave , the cusak siblings and john turturro all give exciting performances ." ], "summary": "witty and provocative .", "id": "14150" }, { "movie": "monsieur_lazhar_2011", "reviews": [ "perceptive and humanistic , MOV unfolds in a world that recognizes and embraces complexity and duality , and is n't dishonest about the piecemeal way in which emotional centeredness is often achieved .", "sensitive , imbued with melancholy", "a sensitive and fairly subtle work , with the deceptive simplicity of a well-honed short story .", "a subtle , wise , beautifully rendered tale , with exemplary scenes in the classroom between an amateur cast of savvy children and , as MOV , a great actor , mohamed fellag .", "how do we get past tragedy ? together .", "what could be didactic is rendered life-size and indelible , even with the cards that falardeau has carefully stacked .", "it 's all a bit neat . but whatever the film 's limitations , it 's certainly engaging to watch .", "its purpose is to present us with a situation , explore the people involved and show us a man who is dealing with his own deep hurts .", "the film is rich in naturalistic , tossed-off details .", "a standard liberal tale about an inspirational teacher gradually deepens into a quiet study of how grief works its way through a community .", "like a dedicated teacher , this is a film that stays with you .", "an understated story of coping with emotional blows that offers a compelling portrait of a decent man .", "fellag , an algerian comedian and humor writer , anchors the film as the ineffable bachir , a man who 's so private that even the third-act revelation of his back story does n't fully explain his motivations to us -lrb- nor would we want it to -rrb- .", "an unexpected charmer .", "MOV manages to weave humor into its essentially serious story and reveal layers of its characters ' personalities step by step .", "canada 's foreign-language submission is a searing classroom drama about grief that should be an oscar front-runner .", "... not only a poignant saga of teacher-student relations , but a restrained and hopeful examination of the mourning process on children .", "the french-canadian film MOV has one of the most powerful openings i 've ever seen in a movie .", "do n't be put off by its hokey-sounding subject : this unexpectedly powerful , subtle little film is exquisitely made , enormously moving and politically-charged .", "the movie 's tonic lack of sentimentality binds the various griefs together into something moving .", "fellag has created one of the great movie teachers ... but the film is practically stolen by young sophie n\u00e9lisse , an actress of such maturity she recalls ` mad men 's ' kiernan shipka", "what makes the film enthralling is the wisdom and grace with which it addresses the twin subjects of grief and healing , and the quiet beauty of mohamed fellag 's performance in the title role .", "`` MOV '' sustains an exquisite balance between grown-up and child 's - eye views of education , teacher-student relations and peer-group interactions .", "... a thoughtful film that delves into the grief and horror of the tragic event in a montreal public grade school .", "fellag , a comedian and himself an exile from algeria , makes lazhar both a sensitive and an amusing figure . and the kids are just terrific , especially emilien neron as a boy who carries the guilt of the whole school on his shoulders .", "the film , alas , seems determined to be as careful , as gentle , as lazhar himself .", "this is a quiet movie centered on small moments that collectively form something deep and profound .", "this film deals almost casually with a range of issues and themes , handling with a light and even affectionate touch weighty subjects like grief , guilt , community and love .", "falarde , in adapting a play , has a sweet , humanistic approach reminiscent of bill forsyth 's '80s dramedies that lets `` lazhar 's '' protagonist and his class shine .", "though it 's a bit too early to say that it 's an unforgettable movie , one suspects it is . it 's also about so many things it nearly defies explanation .", "n\u00e9lisse , with her tough , courtney love puss , and n\u00e9ron 's portrayal of a boy 's well-defended torment are extraordinary , as is the film 's realization of the small , temporary world that surrounds them .", "MOV builds hope in the face of tragedy and sheds new light on the question of what is truth and how we find it .", "fellag does for the film what his lazhar does for the pupils : he 's soothing and entrancingly enigmatic enough to keep us fixed to our seats .", "marvelous story of a crackerjack sub teacher with problems greater than those of his class .", "-lsb- an -rsb- intelligent but generally cheery comedy .", "should appeal widely to arthouse audiences and lovers of smart , international cinema .", "falardeau offers a film as believably wrenching , and finally cathartic , as the grieving process itself .", "the film leaves you hopeful , and even exhilarated , that even the most painful wounds can sometimes heal .", "quietly intelligent and respectable , much like its protag .", "algerian fellag plays the title role with an obvious love for young minds finding their place in the world .", "MOV is so discreet that it never quite comes to life .", "this surprising , humanist canadian film about an algerian immigrant seeking solace for his young students and himself is a winner .", "falardeau 's adaptation of fellow qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois evelyne de la cheneli\u010dre 's play honours the power of the written word -lrb- a motif reinforced throughout the film -rrb- , and expands on its stage origins via remarkably-assured cinematic touches .", "in MOV , education can prevail over its literal restrictions . teachers may make mistakes , but the good ones emphasize independence and intelligence . and interpretation . they serve inquisitiveness , not inquisition .", "under falardeau 's inconspicuous lens , life plays out with rare authenticity ; not just its tragedies , but its triumphs , its mishaps and its incidental interludes", "the fact that both teacher and students are in need of protection adds greatly to the poignancy and falardeau delivers an emotionally rich film filled with nuance , grace and subtlety", "beautifully performed by all the actors , not least the youngsters", "MOV is a film that focuses on humanity when at its most vulnerable , with the film itself a warm embrace that will evoke tears of joy .", "very few films offer a moral grandeur , as well as a political foundation ; very few films have such poised and brilliant performances from unknown actors .", "lazhar is something of a puzzle , and much of the pleasure of philippe falardeau 's film lies in the gradual unfolding of his reserved yet impulsive personality .", "phillipe falardeau , who adapted the play into a screenplay , ca n't entirely paper over a few niggling loose ends , but overall this disturbing film is very effective indeed .", "MOV never pretends to be anything but a grown-up fable , and it 's a captivating one .", "MOV is a film to cherish .", "thankfully , the impressive cast of child actors actually behave like children , not like miniature adults .", "philippe falardeau 's direction is a model of the notion that less is more , and this film is a treat well worth savoring .", "while it may not stand out from similar movies , MOV is a sweet film with a simple story and remains engaging thanks in large part to mohamed fellag 's charming performance .", "falardeau had the good fortune to work with a powerfully effective ensemble cast , and martin l\u00e9on 's minimalist ambient score helps set the mood for a satisfying story about the healing effect brief encounters can have on emotional scars .", "guaranteed to have you reaching for the kleenex .", "the film understands the complex bond between teachers and students , and how the classroom is a sacred space they share for a short time before moving on .", "while `` MOV '' is a decent film , i wish it would have done more to stand out from other similar films .", "by the time you realise how invested you are in this tale it is too late : MOV has you . i consider myself a cinematic chuck norris , but this film had me blubbering like a baby .", "this is cinema at its most impactful .", "a caring and compassionate man helps some grief shaken children deal with the suicide of their teacher .", "MOV is a tender and touching drama that captures the pulse of both primary school politics and canadian immigration .", "the film is a small , quiet drama that sneaks up on you and delivers an impressive emotional wallop .", "an exquisite , humanistic and subtly topical work of cinema art that manages to keep the intimate , revelatory sensibility of a one-man play intact while fleshing out the characters and creating a very realistic and richly detailed school community .", "ineffably sad-yet there 's almost no loitering . the film is crisp , evenly paced , its colors bright , as sharp as the winter cold .", "there 's great potential for the kind of issues that are taken on , but nothing is resolved , and the biggest questions , of guilt and shame , the gulf of understanding between the first world and the third , remain unengaged .", "the acting is stellar throughout the film , from the one-named algerian actor fellag 's subtle and warm portrayal of the title character , to the cast of precocious children who make up his classroom .", "... a passable yet mostly underwhelming little canadian drama .", "it 's a tapestry of fraught relationships , weaving issues of parental authority , social taboos and national boundaries . empathy comes through understanding , but it 's not easily achieved . it never is .", "canada 's oscar entry is a sensitively acted , precisely directed drama about children forced to deal with issues of loss and death .", "this is a good movie about teaching , but more importantly , a good movie about the loss of a loved one and how to cope with death .", "with a few folds , this story could have made a script for john barrymore , like topaze , or for chaplin .", "although it raises timeless questions about life and loss , and timely ones about mentorship and multiculturalism , `` MOV '' would rather teach than preach .", "... the perfect school drama for people who hate the hollywood version of the genre , but are open to simple and moving stories about people doing the best they can in a world that does n't always seem to encourage that approach .", "falardeau dances delicately along the razor 's edge of the familiar and the conventional . but he does so with tact and taste and just the right blend of tension and relief .", "this moving film features exquisite performances by fellag and a stunning ensemble of child actors . the movie also gets high marks in cinematography , sound , original musical score and editing .", "as the teacher , fellag suggests robert downey jr. channeling a quietly reflective robert de niro .", "a gentle film can still be searing in its effect on an audience , something that `` MOV '' proves emphatically .", "a humanistic story about how tragedy has different effects on people .", "a naturalistic ensemble drama about the possibilities - and the limitations - of the teacher-pupil relationship ... probably too low-key for mainstream multiplex tastes , MOV is a temperate , generous and deeply affecting experience .", "takes the fairly dreadful ` teacher who makes a difference ' sub-genre and puts an interesting new spin on it that gives it the allure of something fresh .", "tender and sincere , frequently striking a fine balance between the dictates of the `` inspirational teacher '' genre and a more mundane kind of realism that tamps down easy sentimentality and strives for something more organic and genuine", "impressively directed and superbly written , this is an emotionally engaging , deservedly oscar-nominated drama with a terrific central performance from mohamed sa\u010fd fellag .", "some teachers will learn from it . all teachers will find it a reaffirmation of their vocation .", "everything about the film sets exactly the right tone , from the unforced and winning performances by the main children to the wintry cinematography to fellag 's quietly rueful performance .", "there 's a lighthearted inspiration infused throughout MOV that makes it also touching , but never maudlin .", "one of the most touching films of the year . a brilliant tragedy that transcends boundaries of age , country , race , religion and gender .", "the rare sort of movie that chooses not to focus on the dramatic , pivotal moments that happen in life , but what comes after .", "MOV remains tight-lipped about his private life , but the audience comes to learn about the great human loss and danger of deportation that clouds his life .", "fans of nicolas philibert 's immaculate chronicle of the learning curve , \u0119tre et avoir , are sure to appreciate the warm lessons of this award-winning canadian film .", "works awfully well , managing to be sweet and distinctly easy without feeling the need to talk down to the viewer at the same time .", "eloquent drama about contemporary issues like immigration , education , integration and the propriety of physical contact with students .", "only the most obstreperous delinquent could fail to be charmed by MOV , in which an algerian refugee plays ramshackle mary poppins to the kids at a montreal primary .", "the film invites comparison with laurent cantet 's 2008 film the class , which makes it look tame by comparison , but also dead poets society , which makes it look tough .", "MOV becomes a deeply affecting film not for pathos but for the way sadness is conveyed so subtly . it 's a small triumph of restrained compassion , coaxing throat lumps rather than jerking tears .", "canadian filmmaker philippe falardeau 's warm , tidy character study -lsb- is -rsb- gratifying .", "despite its independent credentials , it feels like a softened remake of a rawer , more compelling story .", "a timely examination of violence in our society through the eyes of those who ca n't control it .", "broaching tough material in a tactful , sensitive manner , MOV is a potent , stirring gem of canadian cinema .", "you could almost describe ` MOV ' as a morality tale , but it 's more thought-provoking than debate-provoking .", "notions of class , cultural , ideological and emotional violence - or perhaps a little of each - take on vastly difference meanings in this sensitively woven french canadian journey through algerian exile , student angst and outsider alienation", "an oscar nominee at this year 's academy awards and for good reason , falardeau 's film is moving , smart and sensitive . terrific stuff , in short .", "it 's a subtle meditation on catharsis , and a gentle indictment of over-regulated education ...", "the result is a shrewd look at classroom etiquette and an achingly sad study of grief-stricken solitude , built on ace performances by fellag and the kids ...", "MOV does the best job of summing up the appeal of his own movie : `` a classroom is a place of friendship , of work and of courtesy ... a place of life . ''", "a sad , reflective study of the possibilities , and the impossibilities , inherent in the teacher-student relationship .", "remarkably human , touching , brilliant film that never succumbs to melodrama , finding something truthful in the complex relationship between adults and children forced to grow up too soon .", "a quietly affecting character study ... remarkable for its subtlety , charm , poignancy , and generosity of spirit .", "`` MOV '' is a complex , multilayered tale that reveals new meanings as it introduces each new character .", "`` MOV '' is good . really good ." ], "summary": "monsieur lahzar is a tender and thoughtful portrait of a man with hidden grief and also a compelling exploration of the teacher-student dynamic .", "id": "771253439" }, { "movie": "1155467-glory_road", "reviews": [ "heart and verve in surfeit makes the film rise above its flaws often enough to win you over .", "when a movie this corny still inspires , ` feel good ' feels just right . stay through the credits , when the ` real ' coach and players talk , and you 'll see the real glory in this tale .", "as coach haskins would say , it wins because it sticks to the fundamentals .", "really , the material is ripe for hoop dreams documentary treatment , but instead we get hoop hyperbole from producer jerry bruckheimer .", "the basketball drama MOV is about as smoothly predictable as a well-aimed ball arching from a hand toward a net , but is , still , inspiring .", "MOV abandons the clinical and compelling storytelling of the great recent disney hockey movie miracle , and aims instead for the contrived sentimentality of the slightly less great remember the titans .", "a nice , diverting little picture that takes no risks -- a good movie that could have been a great one .", "somehow , bruckheimer keeps the sentimentality to a minimum and keeps his story moving at a very nice pace : four fast quarters and a halftime .", "in the end , a sports movie is only as good as the adrenalin rush it provides in the climactic match , and there , finally , MOV hits on all cylinders with nonstop action and a powerful emotional impact .", "MOV is a pure hollywood fantasy . as movie fiction , however , i guess it is entertaining enough .", "lacking the gritty reality of the 1994 documentary hoop dreams , this jerry bruckheimer film , directed by newcomer james gartner , converts a year in the life of a basketball team into a very conventional triumph of the underdogs .", "ok , so you really do n't need me to tell you about MOV if you 've ever seen a sports movie before . just get out your sports-movie-clich\u00e9 checklist and a pencil .", "MOV 's strength is the way in which it blends social awareness into the sports genre .", "the fact that it 's loosely based on a historical event does n't change anything . formula is formula .", "only a few quibblers are going to point out that MOV takes a fantastic real story and muddles it with sloppy storytelling that fails to trust the source material", "MOV becomes that rare sports movie that realizes that buzzer-beating shots are n't the only dramatic moments in a game .", "... deals with the issue of race about as realistically as can be expected from a disney movie .", "MOV , the true-ish story of the first all-black ncaa championship basketball team , throws down a 360 slam dunk in the face of racism .", "an appealing disney sports movie that underplays its potential , MOV is at least a more satisfying basketball saga than last year 's coach carter .", "even knowing the outcome , sports ' fans will cheer the lightning-fast , dynamically edited on-court action that 's only slowed by a few lumbering , heavy handed scenes .", "similarities between MOV and remember the titans -lrb- 2000 -rrb- are purely intentional .", "a sweaty package of sports movie cliches .", "do n't demean this picture . this is n't just one of the worst sports movies of all time ; it can hold its own with the worst of any genre . if you 're not a basketball fan , this film is boring , manipulative , and banal . if you are a basketball fan , it 's worse .", "an absorbing film .", "MOV really is n't a bad show - it 's just an obvious one - and one wishes material of this historical import had received a more refined rendering .", "what is difficult to ascertain about MOV is where fact ends and fiction begins .", "just a retread of an age old formula . the film had the potential to do something a little different with it , but did n't take the opportunity .", "disney runs history through the same hollywood melodramatic redo that made miracle , the olympic hockey saga , such a crowd pleaser in 2004 and the rookie a winning baseball film in 2002 .", "remember the titans ? of course you do . and here 's another great sports movie from disney .", "it was only a game , but for these seven young men , it was their way to gain respect from a predominantly white society .", "the movie tries to push every button and please everyone involved , and its expressway of good intentions is little more than just a patchy re-paving job", "where it succeeds is as the story of a chapter in history , the story of how one coach at one school arrived at an obvious conclusion and acted on it , and helped open college sports in the south to generations of african americans .", "that core audience should be generally pleased with MOV , a college basketball story as predictable as north carolina 's old four-corner offense .", "the big game at the end of the film has the momentum and rhythm of a really exciting basketball game . it 's just that the 90 minutes that come before that scene are n't so great .", "at 106 minutes , the slicing off of a slew of choppily interspersed subplots could have made MOV a leaner , meaner , message-delivery machine .", "MOV plays fast and loose with some of the facts leading up to that event . but that certainly gives it dramatic punch .", "about as derivative and forgettable as this genre comes .", "MOV , a stand-up-and-cheer basketball tale taken from real life , is a drama that , almost inevitably , falls short of its subject . but what a subject !", "a few sizes too small for the story it wants to tell ... a picture that leaves no cliche unturned in its journey to a foreordained conclusion .", "disney 's fact-based , sports-movie formula has become so familiar by now that watching another one of these films nearly serves as a sedative - if not outright anesthesia .", "` MOV ' does n't achieve cinematic glory because it fails to add personality or connect with anything below the surface .", "if you 've seen all of the holiday releases , and are looking for something which wo n't make you run out of the theater screaming , this is a good choice .", "it 's a terrific story of a team of davids with hoop dreams running a gantlet of patrician goliaths against a backdrop of momentous social change .", "paved with self-important statements from the opening whistle ... i 'm surprised rosa parks did n't show up for the bus ride when the miners make the ncaa tourney to play the all-white kentucky wildcats", "it 's a terrific story with great performances and players you care about . they shoot , they score , nothing but net in my book .", "grappling with cliches , it 's a sappy slam-dunk , formulating yet another slick underdog sports story .", "it has a vague appeal and a comfortably detached way of storytelling .", "disney probably issues an instruction manual to directors assigned one of its inspirational sports movies .", "it 's a new year , so let 's run through those sports movie clich\u00e9s one more time .", "despite a noble effort this film comes off as ` hoosiers ' lite", "the team 's accomplishments are here diluted into fodder for another of the producer 's feel-good man-weepies .", "first-time director james gartner 's movie is less a study of race than it is a fast break of underdog clich\u00e9s and ` inspirational ' speeches .", "a no frills , by the numbers , formula sports film that will entertain , educate , inspire . credits include interviews w / members of the original team , haskins and pat riley .", "MOV is that annual old dependable , always willing to bring inspiration and good cheer to the cold month of january .", "a slick package with the wrinkles of real life smoothed clean out of it .", "remember the titans ? forget about them ! here 's a new jerry bruckheimer production that places its secular faith in an almighty audience appetite for underdogs , sports , and dramas in which wrongs are righted by good-looking americans .", "the acting is strong , the games are exciting , and despite the serious message about racial equality , it 's actually pretty funny in spots .", "a successful mix of politics , social commentary and sports .", "rages with bleacher-stomping , fist-pumping thrills you 'd expect from an underdog sports movie .", "if the prospect of another reality-based disney sports drama makes you want to pull your fingernails out with pliers , you 'll be pleasantly surprised by this bio of the 1966 texas western miners .", "a great , true story turned into a very mediocre movie ... it is in the editing room where it was completely destroyed .", "a disingenuous , disrespectful reduction of a difficult , often-painful plight into a rousing fairy tale .", "`` MOV '' is structured as smoothly as a well-executed game plan .", "... the real drama of the first all-black starting five to win the ncaa college basketball championship deserves more complexity and character development .", "a great documentary could emerge from this story -- a film that deserves it .", "well-made , well-acted and even well-directed .", "this would be a pretty run-of-the-mill sports movie except for one thing , its historically-significant subject matter .", "it 's a safe and succinct tribute to a powerful true story , a breezy historical drama that aims for the gut more than the heart . and it succeeds in only that dimension , as an inescapably escapist one-course meal . but what history it has to work with .", "MOV is another in a long line of feel-good sports movies about people who beat the odds through hard work and perseverance . we 've seen it before , and we 'll see it again . but that 's ok . these films keep coming back for a reason .", "when dealing with the blatant racism depicted here , a film should be held to a higher standard", "i highly recommend it .", "MOV is a rousing and worthy tribute to one of the most important college basketball teams and one of the most important championship games of all time .", "succeeds at bringing an important part of sports -- and american -- history into the minds of today 's audiences .", "just substitute a basketball for the titans ' pigskin and the predictable , mildly satisfying formula works just fine .", "if you have not already seen remember the titans or miracle or the rookie or hoosiers or coach carter or rudy or the bad news bears or the mighty ducks then perhaps you will love MOV .", "there are far too many `` dramatic music '' cues - you know , the aaron copland-influenced ones that creep in just as the actor is about to say something truly important .", "... reduces a compelling , complex sports story to a fairy tale .", "for all its faults , the film brings back a forgotten moment in racial equality more vividly than a documentary on espn classic .", "like a moderately exciting amusement ride ; occasionally fun , but after years of riding this same plot , the same old twists and turns get awfully tiring .", "until inspirational sports films stop making us feel good , expect several more . this is a fun ride that will make you smile .", "another true -lrb- ish -rrb- story of a vietnam-era sub-mason-dixon line sports team played by and for crackers , and the topsy-turvy struggle they must all undergo when the blacks come and make them all feel intermittently uncomfortable and angry .", "this film fails not because it is conventional , but because it is lazy and dumb -- unworthy of its subject matter .", "familiar , but fun .", "all you need to know : it 's a sports movie about race produced by jerry bruckheimer", "the problem is not that they made the wrong movie , but that the movie they decided to make was n't very good .", "gartner makes a hash of the game scenes and must resort to voiceover sportscasters to explain what 's happening .", "a darn good story , told with enough conviction and impact to connect with people who do n't know the difference between a three-pointer and a field goal .", "the familiar territory covered here may leave you wishing for something that digs deeper into the soul of a sportsman 's passion .", "the true story is fascinating , groundbreaking and inspirational . it 's a shame the cinematic treatment is predictable , conventional and trite .", "it 's remember the titans on the basketball court . count it right up there with the best of disney 's fine sports flicks .", "history wins in by-the-numbers sports flick ...", "... it 's ultimately rather difficult not to get caught up in this inspirational true-life tale .", "determinado a ressaltar a import\u05d2ncia da hist\u05e3ria que est\u05d1 contando , o filme mergulha em erros factuais , manique\u05ddsmos e clich\u05das , transformando algo significativo em puro \u05d1gua-com-a\u05d7\u05eacar .", "an underdog sports movie by the numbers .", "like hoosiers , this jerry bruckheimer film is a david and goliath sports saga that holds just as much suspense and interest no matter how many times you watch it .", "it 's one helluva story , and if this moving , and even thrilling little movie finally brings haskins and a truly great american sports story to light , then three cheers and hooray .", "playing out like remember the titans for basketball fans , MOV is yet another would-be inspirational true story that follows sports-movie conventions .", "first-time director james gartner observes all the rituals -- the coach busting chops , the team sneaking out to party -- but the players are indifferently characterized and the civil rights story has a fake black history month feel .", "like most sports films MOV works best when it is actually showcasing its sport ... off the court , however , it 's alternately flat and didactic . director gartner goes to great pains to drill the films message in , early and often .", "MOV does n't have any of the individual moments that humanized hoosiers , the rookie , and miracle . it 's a feel-good sports movie by the numbers .", "trying to make a sports movie for the entire family is understandable , but it makes a complicated story like MOV feel more like disney than reality .", "this is the type of story that 's better suited to the documentary format .", "why must hollywood lace every african-american drama with elements of comedy , as if black people find everything comical ?", "it is n't meant to be a movie that makes us think , or that makes us uneasy in any way . it 's meant to make us feel good .", "when coach don haskins sent out five african-american starters to face off against an all-white wildcat team , barriers were broken , but MOV just hits the wall .", "the performers serve the story , acting with humility and respect , never going for the glamour or the drama .", "a slick enterprise buoyed by a motown-flavored '60s soundtrack and an appealing ensemble cast .", "a classic crowd pleasing movie full of predictability , but it comes with some good acting , a little humor and a touching story as well .", "there is simply nothing resembling real life in the film , just basic cable motivations and infantile storytelling that somehow lucked itself into a big screen release pattern and budget .", "a fine , family-friendly pic about a white coach who demands perfection from his mostly black basketball team .", "a tepid , artificial , and clich\u00e9-ridden carbon copy of coach carter , friday night lights , and remember the titans .", "a scrappy and fast-paced sports flick set in 1966 that also deals with heart and racism .", "sometimes it takes a sports movie to remind us how far we 've come as a country -- and to marvel at how we got here at all , in our awkward combination of leaps and baby steps .", "by knocking the edges off MOV , bruckheimer has turned a raw , compelling story into bland pudding .", "exacerbates difficult issues by blowing them into underdog sports cliches and , more damning , race caricatures and slapstick , sitcom misunderstandings and pat rapprochements .", "this jerry bruckheimer production , directed by commercial director james gartner in a solid feature debut , should please male fans as well as those who do n't mind a dose of social commentary with their sports heroics .", "debut director james gartner struggles with solidifying the film 's socially explosive period aspects against the exacting demands of recreating a season 's worth of hair raising basketball games surging toward the 1966 ncaa tournament .", "tells the story in the most compelling way possible . and since it takes place before queen , at least here 's one sports movie where we do n't have to hear ` we are the champions ' again .", "we 've all been down this MOV before . but just because we 've already traveled it does n't mean it 's not worth a return trip .", "all involved with the project play the game with enthusiasm and purpose , which is all we really require from a committed team and an affirmative movie like this one .", "MOV does n't live up to its title , but it plays a good game .", "MOV is a ca n't - lose slam dunk of a movie , the sort of film that charges right over its minor flaws thanks to good intentions , fine execution and a breathless air of excitement .", "it 's a well-trod path , this ` via de basketball , ' but MOV makes it worth the trip .", "if the facts of the story are essentially true , their presentation is as formulaic as ever .", "MOV 's greatest strength is that it 's just a great story , acted well .", "to the credit of everyone involved with disney 's MOV , all things familiar still become exhilarating and inspirational .", "MOV could potentially be dismissed as trivial but this is a big-hearted piece of entertainment that overcomes its lightweight sanctimonious vibes .", "yet another in a string of inspiring true stories told with as little inspiration as possible .", "viewed as a re-creation of a watershed moment , MOV is sturdy , efficient , perhaps even worthy . taken as cinema , however , it falls far short of inspiring .", "where was stephen a. smith when you needed him ?", "while bruckheimer and co. stretch the gospel theme too far and leave no emotional waypoint unmarked , MOV largely works .", "this season 's obligatory inspirational coach-centered sports movie finds its true story at a point where sports history intersects with the struggle for racial equality .", "the film is engaging , even if it is somewhat lackluster", "however inspiring the actual events were , the movie feels like an opportunity lost . a powerful , significant true story like this deserves more than the ordinary .", "the players and coaches of texas western changed the sport of basketball forever ; MOV accomplishes nothing .", "interviews with the real-life haskins and others during the closing credits are more interesting than the movie , and suggest the story of this incredible team will be told best in a future documentary .", "the air of deja vu is thick as molasses in MOV , a lively but overly slick and grindingly predictable sports drama that tells the story of the ncaa-winning , cinderella season of the 1966 texas western university miners .", "the fact that this one 's a little muddled , a little messy , often works in its favor .", "MOV is a rah-rah piece of inspirationalism from disney and producer jerry bruckheimer , who obviously wants to go one better on his remember the titans .", "first-time director james gartner fluidly captures the emotional crests and nadirs of such pivotal match-ups .", "MOV ranks near the top of recent ` inspirational ' sports movies , leaping over such efforts as the unsurprising dreamer , and the fine but overly directed the greatest game ever played .", "a well-meaning movie that slides downhill like a runaway ball of cheese .", "MOV delivers both uplifting drama and exciting sports action in a package that 's smarter than it has to be .", "you know the drill . enthusiastic , hard-driving coach arrives at a backwater school and inspires his underdog team to athletic and moral victories .", "in a day and age that has violent slasher flicks gobbling up movie-goers ' box-office bucks , it 's refreshing to see a film that stresses cooperation , effort and racial equality over shock value .", "the story is convincingly told , and first-time director james gartner builds it into a crowd-pleaser that belongs in a league with ` remember the titans ' and ` coach carter . '", "is it time already for another based-on-a-true-story feel-good disney sports drama ? did n't that golf movie , the greatest game ever played , just come out ?" ], "summary": "as formulaic as sports movies get , this underdog story still triumphs on the strength of its inspiring story .", "id": "2864420" }, { "movie": "dodgeball_a_true_underdog_story", "reviews": [ "direct hit !", "a sophomoric , broad-strokes farce , one with likeable characters and an abundance of heart , not to mentions wrenches to the head and balls to the groin .", "zoolander fans will love every minute of this movie . the rest of us can wait until it comes out on video .", "... silly , illogical and downright brainless fluff that , for one reason or another , manages to be both funny and charismatic all the way through .", "a non-stop gagfest around a subject that has no right to be funny .", "dodgeball ducks most filmmaking no-nos and manages to serve up a light-hearted treat .", "entertaining and funny , despite being loaded with clich\u00e9s and groin humor .", "dodgeball , i am shocked to say , rewards you for paying attention . it also rewards you for having totally juvenile sensibility , so it 's really win win .", "a comedy with a crazy bounce , but only if you 're willing to dodge the dumb , dodgy jokes .", "a pretty hilarious movie thanks to stiller 's willingness to let himself look like a complete idiot just for laughs", "reeks of desperation from the start , resorting way too often to the funniest home videos-style spectacle of people getting hit in the crotch with red rubber balls .", "-lsb- stiller -rsb- creates a perfect storm of body , facial and vocal expression for every line of dialogue , and you have to admire his co-players for merely maintaining their balance against the bluster .", "if you hold a perverse soft spot in your heart for straight-to-video underdog junk like ski school , you 're going to love dodgeball .", "while it does n't have enough heart to put it in league with the all-time great sports comedies , the film certainly ranks among the more quotable ones .", "an extremely slight but funny film , a bastard cousin of revenge of the nerds that devotes itself gleefully to every low and cheap laugh it can muster -lrb- as well as some very sly ones -rrb- .", "this lame sports comedy is deflated by clich\u00e9s , from a save-the-farm plot to sadism disguised as slapstick .", "an enjoyable up-with-misfits story that will please fans of underdog comedies like stripes and animal house .", "thurber zings the laughs so fast and relentlessly , you ca n't dodge them all , so you 'll likely end up laughing in spite of your better judgment .", "occasionally , dodgeball is laugh-out-loud funny , which goes a long way toward redeeming the rest .", "aims low -- and happily hits its target .", "in the end , dodgeball belongs completely to stiller ; as white , he brings a comedic smarminess that usually is attributed to actor jim carrey .", "rambunctious when it finally gets to las vegas , where the championships are held and broadcast on not-real-yet espn 8 -- ` the ocho . '", "in no way a great movie , or even a particularly good one ... -lsb- but enough laughs -rsb- to earn it a place on the cult-fave shelf next to office space and old school .", "despite his inexperience , thurber apparently knows just how to make the perfect stupid summer movie .", "rude , crude and not quite as funny as it would like to be .", "more often than not , dodgeball slings its visual and verbal humor with rapid-fire , spot-on aim without fouling .", "there really is n't enough there to cover for the clich\u00e9s , making dodgeball intermittently funny at best , an overlong comedy sketch at worst .", "globo is owned by ben stiller , overacting to the point of apoplexy as white goodman ; his manic performance is consistently funny .", "if you only see one movie about dodgeball this summer - make sure it 's this one ! they take this silly game to a whole new level of silly - and it works .", "half of dodgeball is very funny . the other half has ben stiller in it .", "crude , daft and hilarious , dodgeball is the best mainstream american comedy in years .", "to my surprise , this was a moderately entertaining hour and a half .", "for every good punchline , there are fifteen that sound like they were scraped off the walls of mens ' room stalls .", "... it 's got enough laughs in its ninety-odd minutes to justify the time spent on it , which is more than can be said for most recent comedies out of hollywood .", "provavelmente j\u0431 ter\u0431 sido esquecido daqui a um ano - o que n\u0433o quer dizer que n\u0433o funcione como um passatempo divertido e descompromissado enquanto dura a proje\u0437\u0433o .", "... silly fun ...", "anyone expecting to find something deep and meaningful in dodgeball : a true underdog story should look somewhere else .", "i ca n't remember the last time i laughed so hard at seeing a young man get beaned in the head with a wrench .", "it never gets old watching someone take a dodgeball to the noggin .", "i had a good time with this goofy mess of a movie , but i saw it for free .", "that there even exists a movie called dodgeball : a true underdog story , and that it has sportscasters named cotton mcknight and pepper brooks , makes me happy inside .", "the screenplay 's wit is genuinely impressive .", "no matter what you read elsewhere , do n't dodge this flick ; it 's by far the funniest movie thus far of 2004 .", "this is no zoolander , folks .", "thurber seems oblivious to the hypocrisy of mocking our image-conscious society while simultaneously making fun of the film 's oddball loser characters .", "stiller 's back in top form as a flamboyant male bimbo .", "about half of it works . and when it does , it goes a long way .", "feels far too smug about its underachievement to be a persuasive nerd movie : this is more a film by hollywood frat boys slumming for some quick summer money .", "in the tradition of the greatest sports comedies of all time , dodgeball is a blast and an instant classic .", "there 's nothing new to the old game except snazzy outfits , slick accoutrements and better banter , but like his misfit heroes , thurber aims low and hits his mark .", "modestly amusing teen summer comedy .", "... offers the sort of entertainment that has been found in junior-high gym classes for ages : watching people get beaned in the head .", "a crude comedy that aims low and hits its mark .", "the movie does n't just pussyfoot around conventionality -- it hits it square in the stomach and then leaps around shamelessly in a smug victory dance .", "just when it seemed like ben stiller needed to go away for a while , he hams it up once again with even better results than his last few attempts .", "unlike the herky-jerky ` stepford wives , ' which ca n't decide if it 's a big-screen ` will & grace ' episode or a sci-fi fable , ` dodgeball ' is raucous fun from start to finish ...", "more a concept than a movie , and the concept just is n't as clever as the filmmakers think .", "i dare anyone not to laugh when the balls start boinking off bodies in this smart ` dumb comedy , ' which hits its targets more often than not .", "ben stiller is too over-the-top , but the pic has solid one-liners .", "thurber makes you forget convention and enjoy a genuine yukfest , full of down-and-dirty -lrb- but funny -rrb- gags and one-liners , and memorable scenes .", "the jokes fly as wildly as the titular sports gear , landing solidly more often than you 'd expect thanks to a fast-paced script and a cast of good-natured misfits led by vince vaughn and ben stiller .", "in the end it just felt like we were being told one long joke but were never given the punchline .", "trash comedies such as this are usually more painful than funny , but writer-director rawson marshall thurber pulls enough hilarious gags and cameos out of his gym bag to qualify his first feature as the summer\u0432 -lrb- tm -rrb- s first guilty pleasure .", "stiller is in fine form and just watching his exaggerated , paranoid egocentric white is amusing in itself .", "this masterpiece of modern cinema depends upon a single truism : a guy getting hit in the nuts a hundred times in a row is funny a hundred times .", "stiller gives one of his broadest and best performances to date , and the jokes ping around the screen as fast as the balls on the court .", "white goodman is one of stiller 's craziest creations , a hilariously dim-witted and mean-spirited jock that does n't realize how pathetic he really is .", "the film wants only to pit its common-man heroes against a bunch of colorful , laughable adversaries , and achieves this goal admirably .", "can somebody please stop ben stiller ?", "the biggest laughs come from a cameo , which is never a good sign .", "it 's nearly impossible to watch vaughn in dodgeball and not be reminded of the early days of bill murray .", "it almost feels like a dare : laugh at this , even though we all know this is totally dumb .", "from the same generic mind-set that could just as easily have given us major league : concession stand comes what seems like the 11th ben stiller comedy this year .", "if the devil is in the details then thurber has given up his soul .", "underachieving comedy is a great parody -- and the best smart-stupid laugh we 've had in a long time .", "i actually found myself laughing quite a bit during ` dodgeball ' - more than enough times to recommend it to anyone in a silly sort of mood .", "too many of -lsb- thurber 's -rsb- gags rely on easy grunge humor or stunt casting , or simply misfire .", "dodgeball may not be for children , but it is tailor-made for the childish , and it goes without saying that i laughed heartily throughout .", "yep , a full five stars . i loved every last frame of this inspired little sports comedy .", "did that movie just wink at me ? i think it did . but i 'm not quite sure .", "eventually falls prey to its own stupidity -lrb- including far too many homophobic jokes -rrb- , and to a surprisingly lacklustre performance by vince vaughn .", "stiller does n't know when to stop ; his thoroughly repellent character , whose relationship with pizza makes american pie 's pastry lover seem wholesome , verges on the unwatchable .", "gleefully commingles slapstick and scatology , satire and sentiment , in a free-wheeling farce aimed at making auds laugh until they 're thoroughly ashamed of themselves .", "it 's actually frequently hilarious , but you ca n't help feel a bit disappointed by the outcome .", "every summer needs its share of mindless laughs . this should hold you , at least until we see whether will farrell 's anchorman delivers its share next month .", "non-nutritional , brainless , lowdown , rude fun .", "yes , the movie 's watchable , and there are about six good laughs in it , but six good -lrb- not great -rrb- laughs in 90 minutes is pretty paltry for a comedy .", "it 's not the end of american cinema , but it may signal either the end of ben stiller 's ambitions or the launch of a vendetta against his fans .", "the type of movie that makes you laugh in spite of yourself . it definitely falls under the guilty pleasure category .", "the best ben stiller movie in months , but when all is said and done is that saying anything ?", "c'est l\u00e9ger , souvent idiot , mais tr\u010ds amusant .", "... a laugh-out-loud romp that holds its own against comedy classics like office space and airplane ! , a zinger destined to become a dorm-room essential .", "this crazed sports spoof is silly , stupid and only intermittently funny . i 'd advise waiting for the video .", "the fusion of violence and silliness makes dodgeball a great subject for a sports comedy , and the vaughn/stiller team is casting perfection .", "the most satisfying comedy of the past year -- at least among the ones starring stiller .", "let the grudgy , gross-out , and basically banal competition begin .", "i have to hand it to a comedy that works this hard at being mediocre .", "oh , the movie 's not too bright , but i could n't stop laughing , and that 's the point , right ?", "at a time when many ambitious studio films are aiming high and falling short , here 's one that delivers on its low-pressure promise .", "-lsb- a -rsb- bsurd without being absurdist , preposterous but pointlessly so ...", "as juvenile and lowbrow as the game itself , but it 's surprisingly funny ... if you give it a chance you may finding yourself laughing a lot more than you 'd expect .", "shtick that aims for an airplane - style sense of anarchy but instead hits every below - the-belt spot imaginable .", "a lazy , flabby waste .", "a cheerfully sloppy ode to every underdog comedy ever made .", "truly a team effort , and it 's a winning one .", "once you get beyond nostalgia for dodging red balls whipped at your head , there 's little here .", "less in the `` wow , that 's funny '' category than the `` i ca n't believe they tried that , '' as when a uniform mix-up has the average joes appearing at a match in bondage gear .", "thurber loads up on plenty of tired , male-identified , low-comedy standbys , including homosexual panic , fat girls and racial caricatures .", "bounces along with a dumb , energetic oomph .", "can somebody please stop ben stiller ? ... the -lrb- movie 's -rrb- one vicariously vengeful pleasure is seeing the actors repeatedly take real shots to the head from big red rubber balls .", "most of dodgeball 's considerable humor comes from droopy-eyed vince vaughn watching manic , macho ben stiller wear himself out .", "silly , stupid and fun .", "this is not a stupid comedy . a comedy with this many elements has to be smartly structured and blended .", "there have n't been so many shots of guys getting hit where-it-counts since the heyday of america 's funniest home videos .", "... a hilariously worthy successor to the great goofball comedies of the late seventies and early eighties , movies like caddyshack and meatballs .", "silly , outlandish , and an all-around good time at the movies .", "this is a spoof of sport movies with a misfit dodgeball team taking on the meanest team anywhere .", "dodgeball works mainly because it 's full of colorful characters who are a real hoot to watch as they stumble their way through the movie .", "just watching grown-ups get bombarded by rubber balls , you know ? makes me feel 12 again .", "however foolish thurber 's premise may be , it has goofy-inspired gumption and you have to respect his motive for overseeing such intentional stupidity", "this is definitely how to make a good stupid movie : accept the stupidity , own it , and then have fun with it .", "is it great cinema ? of course not .", "slapstick is n't dead ; it just took until now for someone to realize that being hit in the face with a dodgeball is a lot funnier than a cream pie .", "no more a good movie than dodgeball is a sport . but compared to other recent dumb-on-purpose comedies , it 's something close to clever .", "you can never tell whether the next scene will induce loud laughter or contempt ; for me , dodgeball divided right down the middle .", "sort of reminds of the saddest music in the world , if only guy maddin had a sense of humour about himself .", "ben stiller plays a pumped-up fitness guru in a consistently funny sports spoof that unapologetically roots for the \u00fcber-nerds .", "some movies are funny because they 're smart , while other movies are equally funny because they 're dumb . more rarely , movies are funny because they involve watching enormous wrenches being hurled at people 's groins .", "vaughn is stuck playing the straight man to a collection of stooges , and he looks utterly bored doing it .", "this piece of juvenilia all too willingly embraces the team motto of the movie 's heroes : aim low .", "the main plot is predictable all the way , but the incidentals are clever .", "stiller strives to be a wild and wacky villain , vaughn endeavors to be a likable and average hero , and both fall flat on their faces , like everything else in this unspeakably stupid comedy .", "entertaining , in the way that encourages maximum brain disengagement .", "strong contender for the title of this summer 's biggest throw-away movie", "for viewers who just want to laugh for 90 minutes without having to think too much , the no-holds-barred dodgeball will happily do the trick .", "the premise alone is hilarious , reducing grown men to a child 's game and rallying around a sport where we get to see confident , assured adults beat down by rubber balls .", "stiller and vaughn are about 200 times better than everything else in this movie .", "a comedy so brainless it 's actually kind of brilliant .", "offers about 90 minutes of laughter -lrb- although the movie runs out of steam during its final third -rrb- .", "not sure where the producers get off implying that this sports-movie satire is in any way true , but it 's so preposterous , few are likely to be confused .", "dodgeball has the touch of inspired inanity , the sort that spawns cult followings .", "stupid is as stupid does , and in this movie , stupid does some pretty funny stuff .", "i could watch a guy taking a wrench to the face or a ball to the groin for 90 minutes every day of the week .", "in this goofball sportsfilm spoof there is something for everyone to laugh at - but a few too many cringeworthy own-goals .", "none of the character of , say , a will ferrell movie , or the cyncial wit of harold and kumar .", "the movie dodges laughs as rapidly as it panders for them .", "thurber and his picture-perfect cast manage to deliver a very entertaining and fast-paced 96 minutes .", "an enjoyable friday night comedy that delivers several decent laugh-out loud gags , even if it 's not the movie it could have been with a more thought-out script .", "watching people being hit in the balls has never been so much fun .", "you have to respect a movie that wears its shortcomings proudly on its sleeve", "this is funny stuff , not quite on par with zoolander , but well worth a look .", "much funnier than any movie about dodgeball has a right to be", "it helps to have energetic and gifted actors , but you really need to give them funnier things to do and say ." ], "summary": "proudly profane and splendidly silly , dodgeball is a worthy spiritual successor to the goofball comedies of the 1980s .", "id": "16981" }, { "movie": "mystery_men", "reviews": [ "a refreshing , oddball summer entertainment with a sharp sense of humor .", "this droopy action comedy saps hollywood 's best comic actors of their superpowers .", "a long , shapeless , undisciplined mess !", "could use a little more brain , and a little less spleen .", "great concept , stale on dialogue ; strong climax .", "MOV takes forever to set things up and finish things off .", "the erratically funny film feels more like stiller and his friends got together to get paid for messing around .", "the idea behind MOV is an inspired gag with enough energy to fuel a comic sketch but not a two-hour movie .", "something of a hit-and-miss affair ; but for me the hits clearly outnumbered the misses .", "it simply just is n't all that funny .", "all of the technical credits are first-rate !", "hip and consistently funny !", "impeccable casting !", "an absurd , if overpolished , gem of all-too-human proportions !", "an effort you end up admiring more than completely loving .", "formulaic but fun !", "this is a very satisfying movie .", "who would have thought that this pseudo-parody of comic book movies ... would be better than most of the ` serious ' comic book films to grace -lrb- or stain -rrb- the silver screen ?", "tremendous fun !", "once the team is assembled , MOV kicks into high gear , with a steady blast of sophomoric humor that rarely lets up .", "a funny , funky superhero spoof with an amusing premise , a lot of clever gags and a super-hip cast .", "a loving parody !", "a dream comic ensemble and an almost foolproof satiric concept gets MOV through .", "MOV 's greatest resource -- its terrific actors -- have goofy charm to spare and really know how to put the punch in punchlines .", "loaded with some witty lines , puns and visual gags !", "it 's the details that make MOV such a goofy good time !", "-lsb- a -rsb- mostly enjoyable and colorful comic-book hero spoof .", "excellently conceived and brought to fruition .", "a surprisingly layered and well-crafted film !", "MOV not only offers a funny and satirical look at such ` serious ' comic book adaptions , but also fills the void left by such films ' absence .", "it wo n't revive the flailing superhero genre , but it 's a splendidly stupid indulgence that relentlessly raps at your funny bone .", "here it is , at last , something sharp and imaginative to save us from all those predictable summer blockbusters .", "an overlooked gem .", "MOV is a worthwhile diversion .", "gleefully , goofily over-the-top .", "a loud , frenetic , fitfully witty spoof of super-hero sagas .", "MOV winds up paying clever but vaguely sincere tribute to the idea of superheroes -- that marginal talents can come together for the greater good . their actual talents being far greater , the filmmakers make it look easy .", "for a movie that seems to be spoofing such comic-book based action films as batman , etc. , MOV is a delightful change of pace .", "the source material gets a richly deserved drubbing for its pretensions , but the resulting parody ca n't help but seem a bit glib and secondhand .", "those in the mood for an offbeat satire with a gifted cast will have a surprisingly good time .", "there are enough laughs to recommend MOV .", "sharp , imaginative .", "with a script as solid as superman 's grip and a cast funnier than the entire justice league of america , it 's no mystery why this send-up of some not - so - superheroes is so enjoyable !", "call MOV a sketchbook in search of a movie ; it 's still a super idea in a summer of flackery .", "there is n't much to MOV , but what there is will keep a smile on your face .", "absolutely everybody onscreen is having a ball .", "the screenplay is packed with gags that hit .", "a snarky , wise-cracking spoof !", "this affectionate and astute mockery of the big-budget , star-studded , sci-fi/fantasy crime-thriller genre boasts genius , cameo-bursting casting and frequently hilarious writing .", "this is a likable , enjoyable movie . the filmmakers , just like the main characters , just need a little more practice and then they 'll truly be super .", "the just-us league of america", "usher 's amiable spoof of superhero movies takes a brave stab at rewriting the mythology from the inside out , with lots of witty , mildly subversive stuff .", "even with its super cast , the slow-moving ` MOV ' falters in its attempt to spoof comic book heroes .", "it is good that the film has charm , for after a certain point it does n't necessarily have anything else .", "witty comic-book story is edgy , with lots of potty humor .", "hugely entertaining -- especially for those with a thing for superheroes .", "the characters have been designed to make fun of themselves , disguising the craft of writer neil cuthbert and director kinka usher in getting us to laugh at them .", "fails to come up with worthy gags and one-liners for the able cast .", "an instant cult comedy that does n't walk or talk like anything else out there .", "how many laughs can you get out of a handful of one-joke characters ? well , if your ensemble contains the talents of janeane garofalo , william h. macy , hank azaria and ben stiller , the answer is : a lot .", "MOV is n't just clever - it 's genuinely funny , as well !", "the comedy is blissfully perfect !", "crafty , witty .", "it is n't quite a good movie , but i do admire the effort , and the spirit , that went into it .", "there should be no mystery as to why this movie is so funny .", "an exuberant , hugely enjoyable romp .", "a zany and hilarious comedy about a wannabe band of superheroes .", "surprisingly , this spoof 's heart is genuinely warm .", "for all the name actors and elaborate scenery , kinka usher 's film is amateurish .", "estes super-her\u00f3is conseguiriam arrancar boas gargalhadas - caso n\u0103o tivessem enfrentado um roteirista med\u00edocre que provoca mais estragos que a kriptonita .", "MOV is like its hapless heroes . it 's a wannabe that has the best intentions -- including a pronounced anti-gun stance -- but none of the knack it takes to save the day , or itself .", "director usher should have spent a little more time in the editing room .", "so much time is spent in getting to know everyone , the jokes are few and far between when they should be fast and furious .", "if as a kid you ever put on a costume and imagined you were a superhero , you should have a perfectly good time with this movie .", "a desperately hit-and-miss affair .", "as hip as this dud thinks it is , it 's not fooling me .", "... better than sitting at home on a hot summer night watching the sitcoms . or maybe it 's exactly like sitting at home on a hot summer night watching the sitcoms", "stiller , macy , and garofalo are a joy to watch .", "the movie is so slow and so obsessed with its own jokes that it is ultimately disappointing .", "this bunch achieves peaks of sublime nuttiness .", "how in the name of sweet jesus did first-time director kinka usher get such a first-rate cast to act in this muck ?", "unappealing mush .", "it often scarcely moves .", "embarrassing !", "stretched far too thin for its meager plot , broad characters and lame running jokes .", "if there is a bright spot to be found beyond the unbearable filmmaking stench of desperation , it is janeane garofalo .", "it 's a superhero sendup that snickers and deflates quickly .", "MOV begins terrifically , then dwindles away to overextended ordinariness in its action sequences .", "this year 's the avengers .", "a good example of what happens when a movie becomes what it should be jabbing .", "the sum does n't quite add up to the potential of its parts .", "everything about the movie is extreme , yet the overall pleasure it yields lies exactly in the middle of the current hollywood scale .", "first-time director kinka usher -lrb- the man behind the taco bell chihuahua spots -rrb- drops the ball , allowing his riff on the hollywood 's most shameless commodity to become precisely what it set out to ridicule .", "a fluffy bit of summer camp .", "a kiddie-level clunker !", "strenuously unfunny !", "an overproduced summer bombast .", "usher ... ca n't quite focus the chaotic goings-on in champion city , and a sharply satirical script gets buried under some over-the-top action sequences .", "this is the kind of movie i would give my life for , if my life spared the world from seeing garbage like this ." ], "summary": "absurd characters and quirky gags are brought to life by a talented cast , providing this superhero spoof with lots of laughs .", "id": "10623" }, { "movie": "mr_brooks", "reviews": [ "the few original ideas tend to get bogged down in a plot that 's slow , convoluted and even more schizophrenic than mr. brooks himself .", "overdesigned characters and situations stretch plausibility at every turn .", "-lsb- mr. brooks -rsb- piles subplot upon subplot , making what should have been a taut , disturbing thriller feel bloated and aimless .", "the alter-ego gimmick works nicely thanks to terrific costner-hurt teamwork in this gripping , complex thriller .", "bloody disappointing .", "if our movies are any guide , we 're a nation of latent serial killers .", "though it 's not as smooth as it might have been and by the close has gotten too clever by half , this trashy thriller delivers the goods more often than not .", "exquisitely constructed , mr. brooks is a gorgeous and compelling thriller about a very sympathetic serial killer . ... the story unfolds with the delicious pacing of a carefully prepared feast .", "costner 's best performance ever ! an intelligent , terrific thriller with twists and kinky characters . costner and hurt are a sensational team .", "certainly more genuinely creepy than many recent thrillers , and the supporting cast is effective .", "quite a few plot lines and character quandaries remain unresolved . and yet the movie makes sense as it stands . after all , one can never know what makes a psychopath tick .", "-lsb- director -rsb- evans keeps flirting with a potentially rich idea only to surround it with indigestible amounts of silliness .", "only someone who has n't watched tv for 20 years would think that portraying brooks as a high-minded monster makes him more than a run-of-the-mill thrill-killer .", "interesting twist on `` dr. jekyll . ''", "a unique and surprising movie experience . a strong alternative to the current sequelitis plaguing the industry .", "plays like red dragon reimagined by filmmakers who think they 're too smart or too sophisticated or too high-minded to give themselves over to the sordid , sleazy and flat-out nasty .", "mr. brooks had the potential to be a ridiculous thrill ride , but that requires a director who knows how to shoot a scene with more style than a law & order episode .", "its wickedness is irresistible .", "the last decade has n't been kind to costner , but he returns to form here . this is a fine little thriller that has some nice - but not surprising twists .", "`` mr. brooks '' never fails as compelling drama , but it 's far too busy to ever settle into a coherent focus .", "when your best character is a serial killer 's imaginary friend , you know your movie 's in trouble .", "evans makes mr. brooks the ceo of a box factory -- because who would suspect the ceo of a box factory ? plus he 's pro-life -- how ironic !", "it should provide discriminating audiences the antidote they seek to clooneys-and-caribbean fever , while giving costner 's career a considerable kick in the credibility department .", "smart , funny and wicked ... a combination i would pay to see . mr. brooks may not want to be bad , but with the devilishly cruel marshall by his side , he 's oh so good at it .", "ever wondered why movies made in hollywood seem to appeal to increasingly dumber audiences ? buy a ticket to mr. brooks to become part of the intellectually diminished population that studio execs lower their standards to appease .", "mr. brooks is one deliriously ridiculous movie , and a bona fide contender for status as a camp classic .", "the pretzel-like personality of brooks is expertly weaved and salted with just a hint of compassion to evoke an odd sort of understanding from the viewers .", "mr. brooks is a curious mix of the campy and the intelligent , of high concept and low psychology . in spite of these contradictions , or perhaps because of them , it works .", "a sinful cinematic experience for fans of classy , canny killers like hannibal lecter , patrick bateman , and dexter morgan .", "a clumsy and facile pulp thriller that is never the sum total of its parts .", "preposterous as mr. brooks can get , it 's such a well-crafted , intricately devised thriller that its flaws are easy to forgive .", "you know you 're in real trouble when demi moore 's playing the most sympathetic character you have .", "please do n't tell me it was supposed to be played for laughs all along , because i do n't buy it . too late to save it from doom , the twists and snafus in mr. brooks start coming too fast for the audience to absorb , and the movie turns delusional .", "the movie is a missed opportunity . it has all the ingredients of a delightfully twisted , sleek little thriller . but with all that extra padding , mr. brooks is just one bloated mess .", "turns out , portland has more serial and spree killers than coffee shops -- there are still more that figure into the movie 's increasingly ludicrous narrative .", "mr. brooks does work up some clammy tension . the script has bite .", "not just a guilty pleasure but a truly queasy one .", "there are flashes of near-greatness here , and the moments of dramatic power and aura of moral ambiguity set it apart from just about every other movie out there this season .", "mr. brooks has a crisp , clever script , lacings of black humour , heart-racing pacing and convincing performances .", "costner is sufficiently creepy , yet incredibly down-to-earth as mr. brooks . i must say this is one of my favorite performances of his in a very long time .", "costner proves that , given the right material , he 's as good as anyone .", "the film demonstrates the complexity of human nature and its faculties -- our sinful side is never far removed from our capacity to think and feel .", "there 's an unsettling exhilaration in the way `` mr. brooks '' plows through dark waters and damns every torpedo ... except for the one that sinks it . -lrb- its name is demi moore . there 's the germ of a great movie , but the disease of many stupid ones .", "as long as mr. brooks remains focused on mr. brooks , the film provides a fair amount of thrills and -lrb- intentional -rrb- laughs .", "score one for kevin costner . his dark and disturbingly compelling psychological thriller mr. brooks could give the once powerful dances with wolves star his first hit in many moons .", "a classic guilty pleasure -- a great-looking , weirdly compelling thriller with two pedal-flooring performances from costner and william hurt .", "a fertile example of the studio film gone berserk , where too many characters and too many story lines geometrically progress until a level of blissful absurdity is reached .", "welcome back , costner . the hit-or-miss actor who earned an oscar for dances with wolves but a razzie for the postman shatters expectations with his best performance in more than a decade .", "despite a promising intro and some darkly cool atmospherics , the picture pushes plausibility to the limit with a story that is ultimately laughable , using every studio gimmick and characters that are poorly explored .", "there 's so much unexamined rage in mr. brooks that the movie plays like a training video for psychotherapists .", "the film is overburdened with plot elements -lrb- yet misses various continuity details -rrb- .", "the movie has the air of a project that kicked around hollywood for years earning periodic praise from bleary-eyed script readers duped by its labored quirkiness and from former matinee idols eager to reinvent themselves as brooding method actors .", "mr. brooks begins promisingly , but it grows steadily more preposterous as it goes along , becoming the first feel-good serial-killer movie .", "this is one of those slick , violent , ridiculous hollywood jobs that make little sense as a story , a comment on life , or a depiction of characters , but are moderately enjoyable in their spinning of movie conventions .", "if you broke down mr. brooks in terms of structure , twists and momentum , you might give it high marks . the thing does move . to where is the problem .", "i think waterworld 2 might have been a smarter career move .", "mr. brooks proves an unusual , occasionally awkward blend of suspense , drama and camp that 's surprisingly fun .", "what 's interesting in evans 's approach is the low-key expression of -lsb- a -rsb- classic concept .", "if ever a movie epitomized the term ` overplotted , ' it is mr. brooks .", "totally absurd and equally entertaining .", "in mr. brooks , bruce a. evans ' fitfully subversive approach to the genre , we get a few fresh takes on the psychology of serial killing .", "the kind of movie that rockets so far beyond the line of credibility and so deeply into the realm of utter stupidity , you start to wonder if the filmmakers are n't putting you on .", "the film emerges as a subtle commentary on a disquieting aspect of our current culture -- a commentary on the nature of a masturbatory voyeurism and how it fosters heartlessness by turning other people into objects .", "far-fetched , flimsy and uninvolving .", "i count a baker 's dozen of movie plots here , a tally so impressive that the qualifier -- all of them are inane -- seems almost ungenerous .", "what pushes mr. brooks into ` silly ' territory is the way co-writer/director bruce a. evans piles on way too many subplots that seem to set up future stories .", "what starts out as a delightful black comedy and social commentary ends up , at best , as a guilty pleasure where i had a hard time sorting out the intentional from the unintentional laughs .", "mr. brooks has more tonal shifts than a philip glass concert , never deciding if it 's a thriller , a noir , a comedy or a farce .", "costner seems to be having some fun playing the respectable guy with an evil secret , but -lsb- director -rsb- evans ' murky storytelling just weighs him down . cook has all the charisma of a misshapen mud pie .", "hubiera sido una estupenda comedia negra si no fuera que el director bruce a. evans se tom\u00f3 el asunto en serio . firme candidata a la peor pel\u00edcula del a\u0144o .", "MOV is a new spin on murder-by-numbers : one fascinating character , two outstanding performances , and subplots too numerous for the film 's coherence or the viewer 's sanity .", "although flawed , this remains a blackly funny noir treat thanks to costner and hurt 's double-act .", "a meticulous killer with family issues ; a cop with problems of her own ; secondary murderers on the loose ; a plot with unexplored depths - this could have been a decent tv series .", "everyone involved takes this tat seriously except william hurt , who goes gung-ho as the alter-ego goading brooks ' kill frenzies . if only they 'd cut out the middle-kev and cast hurt instead ...", "despite numerous cutesy twists , it 's the gradual unveiling of a warped morality that lures you into brooks ' world .", "with a terrific cast and a superb script , this is a hugely enjoyable suspense thriller of the sort that they really do n't make anymore .", "there 's plenty to recommend this old-fashioned serial-killer flick .", "twisty and seductive , this classy dramatic thriller has so much going on that we almost forget we 're watching a trashy potboiler .", "there 's more to every character than meets the eye and all the relationships have a twist", "delivers more of a soap opera-like story about everyone 's personal lives , whether you find that interesting or not , and whether these lurid details are important to the plot or not .", "it 's a tasty stew for anyone with a macabre stomach lining . it 's sense of humor is dependent on your ability to connect with your inner psychopath and root for the bad guy .", "reminiscent of patricia highsmith 's ripley novels , and that is flattering praise .", "comedian dane cook provides the real surprise here in a brave performance that more than holds it 's own amongst the list of great talent involved .", "this is that rare hollywood film where you ca n't be quite sure where the story is going to end up .", "if it is not as sadistic as the saw and hostel movies , it is as malignant in its insistence on the omnipresence of evil .", "... the film ultimately suffers from an egregiously uneven vibe that 's compounded by a distractingly overlong running time .", "costner and hurt 's strong performances are surrounded by flimsy plotting , unbelievable sidenotes ... and occasionally absurd ` surprises . '", "... cops a little of the cheerfully sanguine attitude of the showtime series dexter , although there 's no effort to rehabilitate brooks by half measures at work here .", "but for a movie about a guy who plans everything so meticulously , the script is a mess , with impossible coincidences and one big fake-out that is nothing but a giant bloody speed-bump on the way to the who-cares-at-this-point conclusion .", "the audience is apt to forget its own vicarious indulgence in some fairly perverse , psychologically unhinged acted out fantasy , as kevin costner masterminds erotically tinged guilty pleasures .", "a din\u00e2mica entre hurt e costner carrega instinto secreto : exibindo uma imensa qu\u00edmica em suas cenas , os dois atores estabelecem um sentimento misto de tens\u0103o e camaradagem entre seus personagens .", "it 's not that costner is a bad actor . he 's just a one-note actor ... like a male julia roberts . and this just is n't his note .", "a big-budget psycho-thriller that lets two of our more `` sedate '' leading men cut loose with some entertainingly juicy performances .", "it does keep you guessing until the end , but MOV turns out to be mr average after all .", "kevin costner as a schizophrenic serial killer ? demi moore as a hardboiled police detective ? no , we do n't think so .", "costner 's double-act with hurt is a wicked pleasure , like the odd couple with a psychopathic twist .", "costner gives a nicely underplayed performance and the film is well enough made to be watchable , if only to find out what enormity will be perpetrated next , and by whom .", "if you can stomach the psychological codswallop of a serial killer keeping the demons at bay via alcoholics anonymous meetings , it may well be possible to enjoy this taut-ish thriller .", "there 's enough ambition for a miniseries here , and satellite viewers already have the rather terrific dexter . stuffed into two hours , it 's all a bit of a pile-up .", "ultimately , mr. brooks is a little bit like one of the murders in an actual serial killer case : an object of passing fascination for most people who see the broad strokes or statistics , but of lasting or more profound impact only to those affected by or d", "just when it seemed the serial-killer film had been done to death , mr. brooks brings something fresh to the genre .", "a nutzoid chiller devoted to proving the strange , unseemly notion that even bloodthirsty serial killers are more enjoyable company than bad myspace comedians .", "this wannabe highbrow horror-thriller is a graceless , unfocused piece of work with a central narrative as tonally schizophrenic and wayward as its lead .", "mr. brooks spins a web that will wrap you up in nightmares .", "... i wish the writing had been sharper", "i found this movie to be entertaining , but i was almost disturbed to find it so . how many other movies have a serial killer as their protagonist and actually make you root for them ?", "alternately intriguing and ridiculous .", "that thing does n't quite fit a category , it 's not really chilling and only inconsistently satirical or funny . still , it is often entertaining , strange and bumpy enough that you can forgive the stiff parts .", "according to some , we live in an age of moral relativism , and mr. brooks , a clever script with mediocre performances , explores that concept with nicely honed dash of irony", "mr. brooks is driven more by its characters than its plot . and several of those characters are fascinating .", "evans delivers mood , tone and acting in this seductively quiet and unhysterical film , but so overstuffs his screenplay with plot he very nearly upends his own project .", "a meticulous study on the `` how '' of serial killing . it just skims over the all-important `` why . ''", "mr. brooks manages to be deeply loathsome -- no small feat for a film that 's shallowly amateurish .", "preposterous characters surround a serial killer in a strained and unbelievable story .", "it 's an odd piece of entertainment , and requires a viewer flexible enough to journey into the belly of the beast and somehow enjoy it . me ? i found it irresistible at times .", "in the lead , costner -lrb- who financed the production out of his own pocket -rrb- is a long way from the boyish charmer of dances with wolves . but his easygoing star power is intact .", "the film probably tilts the balance too far in favor of mr. brooks at the expense of the uninspired det. atwood .", "there is some refreshingly good , old-fashioned storytelling in this movie .", "-lsb- costner -rsb- gives one of the best performances of his career .", "overall , this is an enjoyable romp -- with some pitch black comic moments and a fascinating figure at its center .", "after its sleek , hard-edged first hour , the second half slides into rote action-adventure scenes , complete with techno music backdrop , that we 've seen in dozens of movies of this ilk .", "it would be nice to report that costner 's bid paid off but mr. brooks , aside from the low-key menace he exudes , is n't much .", "mr. brooks is a killer .", "here are two things to know about mr. brooks going in : 1 -rrb- demi moore plays a millionaire cop , and 2 -rrb- that 's one of the less ludicrous elements .", "there is an actual brain at work here , and it feels refreshing .", "a fascinating and thoroughly unsettling exploration into the mind of a serial killer , mr. brooks could well be the smartest , most astute thriller of its kind in several years .", "intriguing but inept .", "slickly shot , coolly edited , oozing dark , deadpan humor , mr. brooks finds costner at the top of his game . his moves are subtle , his expressions flat , his emotions clamped down , contained .", "what compels is n't the overwrought plot , but the simpler things , the dynamics between the actors , the avuncularity between old pros costner and hurt and the class condescension between costner and cook . it has a fascinatin ' rhythm .", "there 's a smart , tense , creepy inside-the-mind-of-a-psychotic movie here . it 's just too bad that it 's buried under a huge load of ridiculous , over-the-top hollywood claptrap .", "where the character can not maintain well-adjusted behavior over sociopathic indulgences , the film fails to strike a balance between the serious and outlandish .", "with some plot developments that are n't smart and/or believable enough , the film might look good and feature a decent name cast , but it just is n't that thrilling .", "a close to great film that spirals out of control into wildly enjoyable preposterousnes , topped off with a rancid maraschino cherry 's worth of sub-de palma shock coda .", "`` mr. brooks '' is a neat blend of satire and suspense thriller that nearly overcomes its greatest flaw , a ridiculous subplot with demi moore as a rich woman turned cop .", "as psychological thrillers go , ` mr. brooks ' ranks above average because of kevin costner 's riveting performance .", "clever and engaging , mr. brooks contains some of kevin costner 's best work .", "it is entertaining to watch costner and hurt fight for control of one body .", "... a bit contrived and more than a bit gimmicky ... but it all works ...", "if you 're sick of sequels to a sequel of a sequel , then check this out .", "this ghastly concoction blends sleaze , a serial killer and sex in the sort of thing that , were it not rated r , would be a television movie .", "violent and implausible , it 's costner 's dark field of screams .", "... a nice , decent , all-american psychopath like mr. brooks is pretty welcome company for a few fraught and well-crafted hours in the tense and muted darkness of the movie theater .", "like its leading character , mr. brooks suffers from a split personality , and it 's unfortunate that the wrong one comes out on top .", "earl brooks is presented as an admirable killer , because he 's an upperclass , educated white man .", "even its most absurd ideas are tantalizingly creative and sinister , enough to make you want to see them through rather than scoff and turn away .", "the movie is so well made , and so compelling as a portrait of a man at war with himself , that , right up until the end , many people will probably be entertained by its intricately preposterous story .", "serial killers are people too , with hopes and dreams and loving spouses and kids who drive them crazy . that 's the repulsive theme of this revolting film ...", "smith is ... an insufferable , motor-mouthed douchebag that the audience will be begging for someone , anyone , to kill . in short , it 's the role cook was born to play .", "yes , it 's true that before the end the fatigue meter was registering pretty strongly , but if someone had tried to remove me from the theatre i would have put up a fight ." ], "summary": "the setup is intriguing , but mr. brooks overstuffs itself with twists and subplots , becoming more preposterous as it goes along .", "id": "577183017" }, { "movie": "millennium-actress", "reviews": [ "a lovely meditation on memory , movies and the almost magical power of images to fire the imagination and keep the hope of happiness and beauty alive in the face of real-life ugliness and despair .", "... in its own way as structurally inventive as the recent ` american splendor . '", "MOV is an enchanting japanese animated film about a woman whose life is propelled by the yearning in her heart for a mysterious stranger .", "the movie 's narrative can be taxingly ornate , but there 's something beautiful about its metaphorical conflation of politics and glamour , the real and the fictional .", "kon and co-writer sadayuki murai 's cleverly slippery story bursts with real passion , overcoming the lack of technical achievement .", "well-drawn japanese anime illustrates the perseverance of an actress pursuing a man whom she loved at first sight .", "this is a screen trip that actually takes you someplace -- out of the world , around the world and straight to the heart of the world .", "... a well-crafted romantic storyline that will undoubtedly ring true with adventurous moviegoers looking for something off the beaten path .", "it 's hard to imagine anyone who appreciates animation as an art form not enjoying this film .", "it is a lovely valentine to the golden age of japanese filmmaking and an era of gentler , deeper feelings .", "disguises itself as a romance , but it 's really a loving homage to japanese history , as well as a comment on the nature of filmmaking and films .", "a triumphant statement on how fantasies can inform a life and give it meaning .", "the animation in MOV ... and chiyoko 's wistful suffering is made achingly real .", "frequently a stone bore .", "an epic love story , a shorthand history of japan and a visually magnificent study of the relationship between memory and identity .", "given its complex array of fact , fiction , location , character and atmosphere , MOV is almost unimaginable in any other medium .", "a stylish if somewhat disjointed film .", "behold MOV , satoshi kon 's anime answer to mulholland drive .", "a winning combination of humor , emotional resonance and striking , indelible imagery .", "this wonderfully unique film is classic anime , but its story is so ingenious , it seems a genre unto itself .", "a complex narrative strategy is muddied by emotionally stunted characters in this ambitious and visually sophisticated japanese anime .", "an endearingly surreal story romancing romance , poking fun at the clich\u00e9 while squarely falling in love with it at the same time .", "`` MOV '' is about unrequited love , devotion , perseverance and hope told in a startlingly simple manner yet with epic proportions .", "it 's animated , but it 's human and will touch the soul of anyone who has loved deeply .", "a striking achievement .", "-lsb- it -rsb- would deserve credit for being more thematically ambitious than the average animated film if it incorporated those themes with any aplomb .", "satoshi innovates not by pushing off into more extreme realms of adolescent fantasy , but by using all the resources of animation to tell complex dramatic stories , resources that in his hands seem almost limitless .", "as a piece of visual legerdemain as well as a rumination on the place movies have in our personal and collective subconscious , MOV fascinatingly goes where films have not often gone before .", "MOV is a visual feast , but also a mental gymnastics routine .", "satoshi kon and sadayuki murai have dispensed with many of the conventions that plague japanese anime to create an original and compelling animated fantasy that satisfies as both a historical romance and a philosophical drama .", "to watch MOV ' is to witness one cinematic medium celebrating another , an expression of movie love that is wonderfully eccentric and deeply affecting .", "unusual but woozily fascinating ... if kon 's picture may not be a model of narrative coherence , it offers as compensation a large number of magical moments .", "this somewhat surreal anim\u00e9 import is unlikely to earn the same mainstream recognition as last year 's spirited away , but it 's certainly worth a look .", "lack of ambition is not one of the movie 's problems .", "the animation may not be as breathtaking as we have seen in other anime movies , but what it lacks in visual style it makes up for with a good story .", "anime has never been my cup of oolong . or it was n't until satoshi kon 's bold , time-traveling sophomore feature , MOV .", "delightfully warm and unexpectedly , deeply humanistic ...", "the movie 's outer spectacle works better than its story .", "MOV is smart and complex and beautifully constructed .", "paints a vivid portrait , blending pathos and unrequited love with a rich collage of japanese history", "like perfect blue , MOV is about living with ghosts , but where the one is all shadow , MOV is all alight .", "insofar as the movie recreates japanese film history , it 's as a means of exploring history more generally .", "the finest anime film i 've ever seen .", "arty japanese animated drama is too complex for little ones .", "... japan has always been more open to the possibilities of the medium to tell sophisticated , mature stories ; and this is both , in the best sense of the definition .", "this japanese anime import bats a thousand with a textured story that effortlessly skips across centuries .", "MOV has more layers to it than the proverbial onion , but kon 's sure hand keeps things moving right along .", "fails in one critical component : we are never made to care about the main character ." ], "summary": "the story of an aging movie actress ' complicated personal saga unfolds in this sophisticated anime film that deftly blurs memory and make-believe into a meditation on the nature of cinema itself .", "id": "10940" }, { "movie": "1118700-adaptation", "reviews": [ "the unconventional , semi-real narrative structure is intricately woven and the acting is amazing .", "mr. cage and mr. jonze share a casual , daredevil sensibility , and the two of them -- or should i say the three of them ? -- pull off one of the most amazing technical stunts in recent film history .", "features what is surely the funniest and most accurate depiction of writer 's block ever .", "cage in particular does his best work in ages , giving each of the kaufman twins a personality and style all his own .", "weird and wonderful in so many ways , MOV has all of the write stuff .", "if the ending is somewhat deflating , the convoluted mind game that precedes it is crazy genius .", "... a fabulous , daring , intelligent and wild experience , electric down to the finest details and polished by its own shrewd sense of comic intensity .", "scarcely a scene comes down the pike that does n't knock you on your backside , leaving you in an amused daze .", "`` MOV '' will find an audience in everyone as its story - at its core - is about everyone .", "the most overrated movie of the year -lrb- of all time ? -rrb- by people who should know better .", "the pain , loneliness and insecurity of the screenwriting process are vividly and painfully brought to slovenly life in this self-deprecating , biting and witty feature written by charlie kaufman and his twin brother , donald , and directed by spike jonze .", "one-of-a-kind near-masterpiece .", "streep and cooper provide the support structure for two fine performances by cage , which is two more than most pictures can claim .", "fun and decidedly offbeat , but probably not for everyone 's tastes or liking .", "gradually the movie 's one joke plays out , and charlie 's doubts about inserting himself into his own screenplay prove to be well-founded .", "is this really a film to be enjoyed for its own sake , or is it a movie that exists to be dissected over campari and soda at the club ?", "the film is complex , intricate , interesting and almost hypnotizing , till charlie gets stuck -lrb- the screenplay he 's writing is the one you 're watching -rrb- . glad he had the gonads to do what he did then , but it subtracts from the overall entertainment value .", "MOV is simply brilliant .", "watching MOV is exhilarating because it affects how you think about movies .", "nicolas cage and nicolas cage have great chemistry together !", "MOV may not be the first movie to examine the creative process . but it 's the most playfully brilliant .", "despite all of kaufman 's rage , he 's still just a rat in a cage . but at least he 's raging .", "this is epic , funny , tragic , demanding , strange , original , boldly sincere filmmaking .", "benefiting from astonishing trick photography , cage does some truly compelling , funny acting and has amazing chemistry with himself .", "a deft and hilarious blend of fiction and reality .", "i loved it - i got on the phone to tell everyone to see it right when i left the theatre .", "MOV is definitely unlike anything you 've ever seen before .", "any writer , whether novelist , screenwriter , or short essayist worth their salt will kneel at the sharp edges of the script , both the paper itself and what 's printed on it .", "it 's an often hilarious endeavor that 's bizarre without reeking of calculated preciousness .", "i have a feeling that as i see this picture a few more times - which i absolutely will - it is going to take its place among my favorite films of all time .", "a subversive little film that says as much about the audience that 's watching it as it does anything else .", "i hate my review of MOV .", "so , in a nutshell : it wants to be profound . it is n't .", "charlie kaufman is a genius .", "the author of ` being john malkovich ' takes us on a manic journey through the hazards of being true to yourself while being successful . streep , cage and cooper are terrific .", "... truly a wonder , a pile of self-contradictions , a series of wrongs that somehow make a right .", "spike jonze and charlie kaufman do n't just break down the fourth wall so much as completely obliterate it . the result is certainly the most original film of the year , if not since their very own being john malkovich .", "the more serious jonze and kaufman are about the life lessons that their film purports to impart , the more self-satisfied and , yes , condescending , MOV starts to seem .", "an intelligent pic for those who are impressed that the filmmaker did n't dumb the odd story down until the last 20 minutes .", "try as you might to scrutinize the ethics of kaufman 's approach , somehow it all comes together to create a very compelling , sensitive , intelligent and almost cohesive piece of film entertainment .", "there 's a flash of excitement to this clever film and its performances .", "the highlight is seeing cage without his ego . cage has n't been this fun to watch since raising arizona .", "charlie kaufman has in one stroke made his the most recognizable screenwriter 's name in the country . this is the kind of film that viewers can discuss for hours .", "an absurdist black comedy and brilliantly sustained meta-joke on the modern entertainment industry", "part of me wants to acknowledge that kaufman 's script is inherently lazy , but then i think ... it 's more or less the work of a genius .", "few recent movies have conveyed so forcefully how people can feel shut out by their own lack of passion , how they yearn to end the emptiness .", "one thing has been made very clear -- being john malkovich was n't a fluke .", "leaps from one storyline to another chaotically , is constantly -lrb- but intelligently and for a purpose -rrb- self-referential , and there 's a whole lot more going on than the laughs .", "donald kaufman is right ! writing is easy !", "an inventive movie that is ultimately undermined by its own gimmicky mechanics .", "the most lacerating hollywood comedy since the player a decade ago , perfectly capturing the self-absorption of the industry for which it was made .", "it is a happy , heady jumble of thought and storytelling , an insane comic undertaking that ultimately coheres into a sane and breathtakingly creative film .", "almost all of it is funny and provocative in ways many other hollywood movies , especially the adaptations , ca n't touch .", "very clever about being very clever .", "leave it to charlie kaufman , author of being john malkovich , to turn writer 's block into cockeyed art .", "a daring and gleeful rearrangement of film grammar and a zinging ode to the imagination .", "reverberates on so many levels , comic and cosmic , that it is as trippy fun to think about as it is to watch .", "MOV gets an a for audacity and a z for zzzzz ...", "the nicholas cage we once knew and loved is back , and i could n't be happier . all those years of acting school has brought streep to mimicking a dial tone . hilarious !", "-lsb- its -rsb- failure becomes most obvious in retrospect , when the realization dawns that the most affecting , inventive , and honest moments of the film were those that hewed most closely to the original text .", "MOV is one of the smartest films i have ever seen . it 's intelligent , clever , witty , warm and , i 'll spare you the thesaurus , it 's a masterpiece !", "` compleja e intelectualmente retadora , el ladr\u00f3n de orqu\u00eddeas es uno de esos filmes que vale la pena ver precisamente por su originalidad . '", "una pel\u00edcula , se dir\u00eda , m\u00e1s all\u00e1 de toda l\u00f3gica .", "a witty and provocative exploration of the craft that goes into our favorite medium .", "the irresistibly wicked humor of this film is firmly rooted in despair . we can all relate .", "much like as happened with punch drunk love , many audiences will find reason to be disappointed with this film , or at the very least confused . they wo n't get why there 's no big finish , they wo n't follow the nuances of the script . their bad .", "cage gives one of the best performances of his recent career as the kaufmans . he 's a natural in this role , especially when that great horse face breaks into an ingratiating grin ...", "... its exploration of ambition , loneliness and passion is amongst the most emotionally resonant in many years .", "chock full of true-to-life dialogue and inspirational insight , MOV is an ode to the frustrated artist in all of us .", "a strange and fascinating movie .", "it 's the sort of movie that keeps reinventing itself and nudging us in the ribs as it does . you 'll want to see it soon , because everyone you know will be talking about it .", "beyond the doubled cage compulsion -lrb- good acting , even better tech work -rrb- , the film has rich filler .", "a train wreck of a movie , but it 's quite a train , and the crash is spectacular .", "truly a cinematic gem .", "`` MOV '' is a film buff 's dream .", "one of the best movies hollywood has ever made about itself , a extraordinary meta-narrative that continually questions its own ability to capture human experience , disappointment and uneventful loneliness .", "wildly different and incredibly entertaining !", "warped , self-lacerating and giddily hilarious .", "what MOV nails about writing is the soul-splitting duality of it : the combination of arrogance and neediness , of ego and insecurity , of the writer 's lonely inertia with the romantic grandiosity of what they create .", "movies this ingenious are to be treasured , and spending a couple of hours inside charlie kaufman 's brain will reward anyone who has the faintest passion for film .", "a movie far more cynical and lazy than anything a fictitious charlie kaufman might object to .", "a blast and is worth the price of a full ticket . see it .", "wise , cruelly observant of human nature and hysterically funny .", "kaufman and jonze seamlessly blend reality and fantasy into an outrageously original offbeat comedy .", "probably the most creative and noncommercial screenplay to be embraced by a hollywood studio in years .", "the final product is intriguing enough and brilliant at spots but about as sporadic as a wonderful novel missing pages . it 's a prime example of creativity taking a film so far before the cruel reality of cinematic normalcy sets in .", "there are many writers in this film and it is a movie about writing , about authenticity , about inspiration , about the fear of soul-lessness .", "by focusing on fewer ideas , and resisting the urge to bit off more than he can chew , perhaps kaufman can shape his next vision into a more focused work . in the meantime , let 's rejoice that he 's here .", "avoid it like the plague . you may be intrigued until the very donald kaufman-esque climax . who , by the way , is n't even a real person . therein lies both the joke of the movie , and this joke of a movie .", "this loopy comedy certainly scores points for originality -- or at least until it writes itself into a corner during the final half-hour .", "a brilliantly acted , extremely clever -lrb- perhaps too clever -rrb- , multi-layered film that will repay several viewings .", "you may never see its like again - but maybe you wo n't want to .", "MOV es una historia que mezcla de manera sublime el mundo real con el ficticio , las pel\u00edculas con los libros y los alter ego con la vida misma .", "both kaufmans are played by nicolas cage , whose goofy , moon-faced sincerity has never been put to funnier use .", "gets thoughts and sentences rushing down the hallways of the mind , screaming at each other to get past .", "if your tastes run to the slightly bizarre and weird - then `` MOV '' is for you .", "the unique niche of self-critical , behind-the-scenes navel-gazing kaufman has carved from orleans ' story and his own infinite insecurity is a work of outstanding originality .", "ultimately , it ponders the reasons we need stories so much .", "it 's an amazing piece of work .", "great movie . it 's hilarious and mind-boggling .", "careens between fiction and confession , repetition and revelation .", "a 21st century pop angst commentary and a uniquely american masterpiece , MOV is so far the sole major studio film of 2002 to challenge the basic tenets of cinema , to push the envelope for filmmakers and audience alike .", "the collaboration of jonze 's unorthodox direction and screenwriter charlie kaufman 's script has n't been this delightfully solid since their surrealistic joyride in 1999 's wonderfully erratic comedy being john malkovich .", "it 's hard to imagine a movie more audaciously , self-referential and just plain weirdly funny .", "compare MOV to woody allen 's lame hollywood ending , and you can see that kaufman is allen 's true successor-formed by allen but primed to carry the torch a little farther into the swamp of his own neuroses .", "MOV could very well be one of the best films of the year -- it truly is a roller coaster ride of pioneering pandemonium , and should n't be missed .", "for two-thirds of its running time the film is close to genius . but there 's still no third act .", "the geniuses behind being john malkovich show brains -- and heart -- in a self-aware comedy about passion , love and survival .", "at all times , `` MOV . '' carries the thrillingly unpredictable charge of a film writing itself before your eyes . spike jonze matches charlie kaufman 's tumble through time , neuroticism , fact and fiction with depictions of creation at a cellular level .", "a fine accomplishment from all involved , especially charlie kauffman , who has written a bewildering and captivating movie , which bares his mind , heart and soul .", "an impressive follow-up to being john malkovich , MOV is even more playful , amusing , metanarrative and metaphysical than jonze 's first film , plus it has nicolas cage in a dual role and meryl streep in one of her wildest turns .", "adult stuff only but hilarious and fresh .", "some parts of the film are classic subversions of hollywood convention that are intriguing by themselves but do n't quite gel as a whole .", "MOV would all be insufferably clever-clever were its motivation not so genuine . instead it is experimental , funny , with a tightly-repressed anger and a desire to dig out truth rather than take refuge in the usual artifice .", "it 's almost mind-numbing to think how mr. kaufman could possibly follow-up this gem . i 'm just glad i do n't have to write it , but i 'd be happy to watch what he goes through to create it .", "it will confound some and inspire others to riff endlessly on its mysteries .", "the dynamo of spike jonze and charlie kaufman can still shock and `` wow '' us into submission .", "a movie that comes excitingly close to being some kind of masterpiece of surrealism .", "MOV is without doubt the edgiest movie of the year , and the less you know about it the better .", "endlessly enlightening , always fascinating , and nothing short of miraculous , to see MOV is to live , see , breathe , and feel in an entirely different way than any other motion picture released this year has offered .", "une autre brillante com\u00e9die de l'\u00e9quipe derri\u010dre being john malkovich .", "perplexing , exhilarating and often uproariously funny ... its jolting wrap-up is certain to leave you with whiplash of the brain ...", "if you loved `` being john malkovich , '' you 're going to love `` MOV . ''", "would i even like this movie if they had n't sent me this coffee mug ? i should have given the coffee mug to goodwill . but i ca n't be bought by a coffee mug , can i ?", "right up there with such movie industry insider classics as `` the player '' and `` singing in the rain . ''", "oh , i got it , all right . maybe a little too well .", "nervy and sensitive , it taps into genuine artistic befuddlement , and at the same time presents a scathing indictment of what drives hollywood .", "jonze and kaufman 's imaginations may be limitless , but their film could use some intentional grounding .", "kaufman lets is all out here , painful and raw , the battle creative people who 'd actually like to make a living off their creative efforts fight between originality and commercialism .", "for those in on the joke , it 's funny and smart -- a bold experiment in rule-breaking .", "one of the most soulful and loopily romantic movies i 've seen all year .", "the boldest and most imaginative studio film of the year .", "even though the film does n't manage to hit all of its marks , it 's still entertaining to watch the target practice .", "too smart to ignore but a little too smugly superior to like , this could be a movie that ends up slapping its target audience in the face by shooting itself in the foot .", "a wildly original film that is both funny and perceptive about a range of ideas , delivered without a hint of pretension", "` it 's narcissistic -- solipsistic ... pathetic . ' it 's very important that charlie say this , just as woody allen must constantly condemn himself in his movies , on the theory that whatever you do on purpose , or at least knowingly , is art .", "-lsb- charlie -rsb- kaufman could have called this one human nature , too -- or a phantasmagoria of human nature .", "like the last jonze-kaufman collaboration , this film is a mind-spinning and often hilarious examination of identity and connection , playing with the whole idea of cinema in such a way that it keeps us delightfully off balance .", "MOV could very well be one of the best films of the year -- it truly is a roller coaster ride of pioneering pandemonium , and should n't be missed .", "kaufman and jonze take huge risks to ponder the whole notion of passion -- our desire as human beings for passion in our lives and the emptiness one feels when it is missing .", "sean penn , you owe nicolas cage an apology .", "this year 's most imaginative film is a surreal exploration of two characters ' search for passion .", "i literally jumped out of my seat with joy ...", "every bit as clever and surprising as malkovich .", "thanks a lot , charlie kaufman . thanks to you , i and millions of others can no longer use writer 's block as a valid excuse for the sh*t tiness of our writing .", "if you liked the surreal being john malkovich ... then you wo n't want to miss this collaboration .", "it may be dressed up with some clever language and a-list actors , but it 's still the equivalent of the smart kid in class who ignored the assignment .", "blurring fact and fiction more than any film in recent memory , MOV is a brilliantly bizarre and completely unique experience .", "kaufman once again pens a brilliant mind bender chock full of originality .", "really , did we need kaufman to point out how boneheaded hollywood can be ? and does he do all that much better when , ultimately , he looks to mainstream conventions for the means to put the finishing touches on his tale ?", "-lsb- MOV suggests -rsb- that there is something ` not of this earth ' about humanity , that we are meant for higher , better things than mere MOV .", "kaufman is nothing if not brilliant ...", "trazendo nicolas cage em excelente desempenho , o filme faz uma cr\u00edtica \u00e1cida ao modus operandi de hollywood e \u0155 pr\u00f3pria auto-indulg\u0119ncia de seu autor , o genial charlie kaufman .", "... trying way too hard to be unique .", "a comic gem with some serious sparkles .", "the best movie in many a moon about the passions that sometimes fuel our best achievements and other times leave us stranded with nothing more than our lesser appetites .", "MOV is probably the ultimate writers ' film , but it 's also a brash , daring , and dynamic film -- as delicate as an orchid but as durable and malleable as the species .", "cage is very impressive as charlie and donald . his choices for delineating the two unique personalities are contained and so precisely on the mark that there 's never confusion about which brother is which .", "jonze and kaufman are a match made in heaven , as kaufman needs gimmicks to get through his stories , and jonze needs the stories to sell some more gimmicks .", "kaufman 's script is wildly imaginative but only intermittently entertaining , dredging up troubling questions about artistic responsibility that he ultimately does n't answer .", "the genius of this remarkably clever and funny film is how non-confusing it is to watch .", "the team of kaufman and jonze has made another quality film for the cerebral set . i ca n't imagine what they will come up with next .", "self-reference is one of the movie 's strong suits , it 's also a distraction", "but -lsb- kaufman -rsb- finds a way to let the audience in on the joke by opening up a portal to his brain ...", "an imaginative , funny , and highly original journey .", "while i would definitely recommend it for the unreserved originality of the first two acts ; i would dissuade anyone from sticking around for the final third .", "what a bewilderingly brilliant and entertaining movie this is .", "provides a porthole into that noble , trembling incoherence that defines us all .", "demonstrates that kaufman , the real charlie kaufman , has a rare and really weird talent not only for finding portals into other people 's psyches but also for silly puttying his own into the stories he tells .", "i ca n't imagine MOV having much mainstream appeal , but , for those who look for something genuinely off-the-wall in a motion picture , this will unquestionably strike a nerve .", "watching MOV evolve into something profound , if not entirely complete , is certainly beautiful to behold .", "MOV 's success in engaging the audience in the travails of creating a screenplay is extraordinary .", "... the most surreal motion picture experience since ... well , being john malkovich .", "a thin , smug conceit , and one that gets more tired and exasperating as it goes along ... clever , but in a juvenile , self-indulgent fashion .", "playfully profound ... and crazier than michael jackson on the top floor of a skyscraper nursery surrounded by open windows .", "few scripts toss more challenging balls in the air , and jonze juggles them all with artful , light-stepping ease . it 's magic .", "so much talent in this project that even when nothing much is happening on screen , at least you are caught up in the characters .", "the conceit of charlie writing himself into his own screenplay , and by doing so changing the characters and his own destiny , is thought-provoking , funny and sweetly humanizing .", "all three actors brilliantly negotiate the film 's eccentricities .", "mulling a definitive take on the film , you ca n't come up with one . meanwhile , you bask in its ingeniousness , marvel at its acting , writing and structure and laugh at humor that veers from very real to very odd to very obviously odd .", "a brain twister , less a movie-movie than a funny and weird meditation on hollywood , success , artistic integrity and intellectual bankruptcy .", "mired in the inertia of charlie 's writer 's block , as if the real kaufman never found his own passion for the material .", "bizarre but refreshing dark comedy .", "this emperor knows he 's naked and shouts that fact to the world .", "the most bizarrely original film to hit theaters since being john malkovich , which not coincidentally was also directed by spike jonze and written by charlie kaufman .", "it is hilarious because it takes the clich\u00e9s of normal films , exposes them , criticizes them and then has the gall to reiterate them . `` MOV '' and the real charlie kaufman have toyed with our heads and leave us laughing at ourselves as much as the kauf", "a movie that proves all movies , like flowers , can evolve in exotic and delightful and utterly unpredictable ways into something worthy of passion beyond words .", "charlie kaufman breaks every rule of screenwriting , even his own desire not to write a movie about ` guns , car chases , and characters learning life lessons ' , and it still works .", "consider the irony : charlie kaufman -lrb- being john malkovich -rrb- wins best screenplay for a movie that 's essentially about his failure to write a screenplay . that 's worth a gold statuette on its own .", "it will surprise you . it will delight you . it will give you something truly chewy to take home from the theater .", "with MOV , kaufman has found an entirely new way of telling a story , belying the old credo that there 's nothing left that 's new for the movies to show us .", "kaufman 's carefully constructed screenplay emphasizes so many layers of duality , it 's beyond gimmick . it 's a world view .", "it 's the most original , exhilarating and hilarious movie of the year .", "a wickedly funny movie .", "MOV is intricately constructed and in a strange way nails all of orlean 's themes without being a true MOV of her book .", "MOV is perhaps the best film ever made to chronicle the oppressive screenwriting process ." ], "summary": "dizzyingly original , the loopy , multi-layered MOV is both funny and thought-provoking .", "id": "13212" }, { "movie": "milyang-secret-sunshine", "reviews": [ "can a movie traumatize you in a good way ?", "even as the film piles awkwardness and suffering upon its character , it never feels exploitative or emotionally manipulative , maintaining a restrained tone entirely devoid of melodrama .", "it is unlikely you are going to see a more palpable portrayal of grief this year than jeon do-yeon 's magnificent perfomance as shin-ae in this korean drama of the heart .", "a secular hymn to the small triumphs and cavernous tragedies of the everyday , and to our awesome ability to cope .", "perfect for those wishing to enjoy a nice traumatizing time at the movies .", "this exploration of grief in contemporary south korea plods along adequately and intelligently .", "secret sunshine is a frequently beautiful film with a cold , dark heart .", "brilliantly written , acted and directed , this is a work that evokes the russian novel despite being a korean film . treats larger questions of life and death in the serious manner that they deserve .", "-lsb- s -rsb- low portrait of damaged woman struggling against community expectations reveals universality -lsb- in -rsb- extraordinary do-yeon who dramatically shifts gears again -lsb- and again -rsb- .", "an exemplary examination of coping that expands to entail questions of morality , absolution and faith .", "the cinematic equivalent of prose that is clear , elegant and lyrical .", "buried in the year-end rush but one of the year 's best films .", "in a performance as raw and naked as i can recall seeing , jeon navigates the ebbs and flows of shin-ae 's grief .", "there is a natural tendency to appreciate movies that are neat and concise . `` secret sunshine '' makes a striking argument for the antithesis .", "the amount of tragedy delivered by this story would feel abusive if a lesser talent was at its center .", "it quickly dawns as to why jeon won so many awards for this performance ...", "it does n't touch the heart as much as it thinks it does .", "profoundly moving , intelligent and unflinching . it boasts a brave , emotionally devastating performance by jeon do-yeon .", "superbly observed study of a woman 's tortured spiritual odyssey , filled with honest drama , unexpected humor and brilliant revelations .", "a wrenching , darkly comic and immersive work", "an uncompromising experiment in how much suffering a soul can take , both on screen and in one 's cinema seat .", "this fourth film from lee chang-dong , one of the leading lights in the new south korean cinema , begins as a young widow moves to the small town of milyang , where her late husband was born and where she plans to work as a piano teacher .", "in lee 's fourth and most ambitious feature , jeon do-yeon gives a startlingly vivid performance as a woman coming to terms with unfathomable family tragedy .", "emotionally complex tale of a woman 's confrontation with the worst of fates .", "a compelling and poignant koran film about a besieged widow 's journey into the far country of forgiveness .", "there 's more truth and wisdom in secret sunshine than i 've seen at the movies in a long time .", "the film is brave and unsparing -lrb- as is jeon 's performance -rrb- and asks some challenging and disquieting questions ...", "lee has a rare gift for depicting how the minor dissonance of everyday interactions eventually explodes into public displays of rage and despair .", "an ambitious , almost novelistic pic by writer-helmer lee chang-dong that ultimately fails to dramatize its lead character 's conflicts in cinematic terms ." ], "summary": "plumbing the depths of tragedy without succuming to melodrama , chang-dong lee 's secret sunshine is a grueling , albeit moving , piece of beautifully acted cinema .", "id": "770676203" }, { "movie": "1008166-general", "reviews": [ "newcomers will doubtless be surprised at the excellent pacing of the action .", "one of the greatest films of the silent era .", "vastly overrated ; moderately charming but i think i laughed once .", "begins with a single , brilliantly sustained premise and works it into an engaging story with edge-of-your-seat excitement and stunningly conceived stunts and sight gags .", "keaton 's genius has never found more perfect expression .", "silent classic is one of keaton 's best", "its peerless mixture of exciting action and kinetic comedy are one of moviedom 's supreme pleasures .", "keaton 's most ambitious and one of his most rewarding .", "keaton at the top of his form .", "perfection .", "there 's no point sitting on the fence on this one . buster keaton 's the MOV is a work of genius .", "-lsb- keaton 's films -rsb- have such a graceful perfection , such a meshing of story , character and episode , that they unfold like music .", "a jaw-plunging blend of physical dexterity and bravura moviemaking .", "-lsb- video essay -rsb- there was only one buster keaton . `` the MOV '' is his swansong .", "one of buster keaton 's most hilarious and most popular comedies", "silent masterpiece is enter-train-ment for all ages .", "in these times when all risk is assumed by cgi effects , keaton 's squealing funny , exquisitely timed , death-defying leaps are all the more breathtaking .", "the film boasts the most sustained passages of virtuoso slapstick genius keaton ever shot , and an unflagging momentum that lets it get away with being a reel longer than most of his best-known pictures .", "a hilarious comedy and a thrilling action film . the MOV has it all .", "this is a silent film worth making a noise about .", "he MOV is the highlight of his career 's tragicomic performances , featuring not just the awe-inspiring stunts that were his bread and butter , but also a level of fluidity only he and chaplin attained at the top of their games .", "keaton proves as endlessly clever and athletic as his screen surrogates...chock-full of hilarious sight gags , including bits of business that incorporate moving trains , cow-catchers , a bear -lrb- and bear trap -rrb- , and a misbehaving cannon . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "an almost perfect entertainment .", "only superlatives will do to describe keaton 's hilarious civil war dramatic comedy .", "amongst the greatest of all silent comedies , the MOV is n't just important , it 's bloody hilarious .", "the result is a flop .", "spectacular chases , fires and explosions are captured with fluid camerawork . there are no stunt doubles for keaton and of course no digital effects .", "the birth of slapstick .", "the MOV is n't likely to be the favorite opus of the star 's purist fans , but it 's the one with the trappings of ambition and historical poesy", "among the finest comedies of all time , it wears its greatness lightly .", "this is buster keaton 's ageless masterpiece .", "sure , it 's got that cornball ' 20 's dialogue and plays the underdog confederacy as the heroes , but it 's a truly fantastic piece of cinema .", "keaton is a wonderful treasure no matter the movie , and the MOV is certainly among his best .", "ranks among the greatest movies ever made .", "an imaginative masterpiece of dead-pan `` stone-face '' buster keaton comedy , the silent civil war adventure epic classic , the MOV -lrb- 1927 -rrb-", "the MOV is inarguably keaton 's most stirring movie , if not his greatest .", "this is by no means so good as mr. keaton 's previous efforts .", "one of the greatest comedies ever produced . it is keaton at his inventive best ." ], "summary": "brilliantly filmed and fueled with classic physical comedy , the MOV captures buster keaton at his timeless best .", "id": "534309484" }, { "movie": "1005371-day_the_earth_stood_still", "reviews": [ "gort ! klaatu barada nikto .", "next time your parents tell you that they do n't make them like they used to , believe them .", "the naivete of some of the film 's thinking is trumped by the virtue that it 's thinking at all , and that it asks us to do likewise .", "this is a superbly crafted , landmark film which invested a much-derided -- and frequently ludicrous -- genre with a welcome degree of dignity and respectability .", "edmund h north 's intelligent script and wise 's smooth direction are serious without being solemn , while bernard herrmann 's effectively alien-sounding score reinforces the atmosphere of strangeness and potential menace .", "very good , but slowish and slightly high-minded .", "the MOV may at first look like goofy , outdated science fiction , but its timeless warnings about violence , nuclear confrontation and the difficulties of policing the planet have made it an enduring cultural classic .", "like most of robert wise 's work , this slickly constructed 1951 science fiction film settles squarely in the middle of its genre , better than some and worse than others .", "superb performances by all involved , restrained direction by wise , and a magnificent and innovative score by bernard herrmann help keep this 35-year-old film just as relevant today as it was the day it was released .", "cast , although secondary to the story , works well .", "classic sci-fi film that still has some power", "one of the top , let 's say , two science fiction films ever made .", "it is a handsome , thoughtful fable with a thriller element and a slightly evasive ending .", "a sci-fi classic", "still fantastic", "though made half a century ago , this film remains a seminal sci-fi and a defining moment in the genre 's history as well as in the visual treatment of fear of atomic bomb .", "the film is very good at showing how effortlessly misunderstandings can develop between ordinary people and between nations and how easily fear can overwhelm reason and understanding .", "long considered a touchstone in science fiction cinema , this stood apart from most of the other 50s sci-fi outings for many reasons .", "made at the time as a plead for international peace , its message should still ring true today where the world picture is more complex and , in many ways , more splintered and dangerous .", "more thoughtful and restrained than most sci-fi of the period , the MOV has aged better than almost all of its peers .", "an enduring film property with an unforgettable catch phrase -lrb- ` klaatu barada nikto ' -rrb- ... -lsb- and -rsb- socially conscious themes . -lsb- blu-ray -rsb-", "... remains a cut above the majority of its campy '50s brethren ...", "robert wise looks at the atomic age and wonders : ` what would jesus do ? '", "embora soe ing\u0119nuo e mesmo datado para os dias de hoje , permanece interessante gra\u00e7as \u0155 figura enigm\u00e1tica e superior de rennie e \u0155 amea\u00e7a representada pelo impass\u00edvel gort .", "yes kids , media was idiotic and hysterical long before the likes of glenn beck were around .", "a sci-fi classic that still resonates .", "the title alone inspires awe .", "... dispels any notion you might have about shlocky science fiction .", "iconic from the get-go .", "a true 1950s drive-in classic .", "`` klaatu barada nikto '' are the words that launched a thousand spaceships in this early sci-fi standard .", "absolutely among the top 5 sci-fi films ever . keep going , gort !", "one of the best from the cold war school of space movies .", "a first-rate science fiction classic .", "this beloved science-fiction film shows what happens to the alien klaatu and his robot gort after they land their spaceship on earth .", "i always have to change the channel when this is on for some reason", "today , wistful viewers might ask : where are klaatu and gort when we need them most ?", "the most amazing thing about this excellent film is how well it has held up and how its message is just as true today as it was in the immediate post-second world war years .", "this is no ordinary sci-fi flick .", "it is comforting , of course , to have it made plain that our planetary neighbors are much wiser and more peaceful than are we , but this makes for a tepid entertainment in what is anamolously labeled the science-fiction field .", "it is one of the first films of the period to question the cold war even if on an allegorical basis .", "from beginning to end , the MOV is a lot of fun ." ], "summary": "socially minded yet entertaining , the MOV imparts its moral of peace and understanding without didacticism .", "id": "9396" }, { "movie": "kung_pow", "reviews": [ "it 's not that MOV is n't funny some of the time -- it just is n't any funnier than bad martial arts movies are all by themselves , without all oedekerk 's impish augmentation .", "MOV is oedekerk 's realization of his childhood dream to be in a martial-arts flick , and proves that sometimes the dreams of youth should remain just that .", "oedekerk wrote patch adams , for which he should not be forgiven . why he was given free reign over this project -- he wrote , directed , starred and produced -- is beyond me .", "an incredibly narrow in-joke targeted to the tiniest segment of an already obscure demographic .", "full of flatulence jokes and mild sexual references , MOV ! is the kind of movie that 's critic-proof , simply because it aims so low .", "MOV ! is far too long , with belly laughs quickly turning into bemused grins as the novelty of kung-fu fighters saying silly things wears off .", "this is the type of movie best enjoyed by frat boys and college kids while sucking on the bong and downing one alcoholic beverage after another .", "rarely do i really want to get up and leave only a few minutes into any film -- no matter how bad it might initially seem -- but this one had me itching to flee rather early on .", "the laughs are as rare as snake foo yung .", "did no one on the set have a sense of humor , or did they not have the nerve to speak up ?", "an enjoyable , if unproductive , time at the movies .", "to imagine the life of harry potter as a martial arts adventure told by a lobotomized woody allen is to have some idea of the fate that lies in store for moviegoers lured to the mediocrity that is MOV : enter the fist .", "takes a good idea for a seven-minute sketch and stretches it out for an excruciating 105 .", "it would have made a funny 15 to 20 minute sketch in a format like the very funny short martial arts sketch in `` kentucky fried movie . '", "mocking kung fu pictures when they were a staple of exploitation theater programming was witty . mocking them now is an exercise in pointlessness .", "it could well end up being the worst movie of 2002 . it 's that bad .", "i hated it with every fiber of my being .", "unless you 're as huge a fan of martial-arts classics as oedekerk , this really long joke about continuity errors and bad voice-overs is simply kung p.u.", "the dose is strong and funny , for the first 15 minutes anyway ; after that , the potency wanes dramatically .", "as an entertainment destination for the general public , MOV sets a new benchmark for lameness .", "the concept is a hoot . the trailer is a riot . the movie is a dud .", "must be seen to be believed .", "this is a horrible film .", "never has an 80 minute movie been so long", "i have n't seen such self-amused trash since freddy got fingered .", "as deadly to brain cells as huffing paint thinner , but more delightful !", "eu n\u0103o me surpreenderia caso descobrisse que este filme foi realizado por um grupo de adolescentes b\u0119bados durante um churrasco da escola .", "totalement con et absurde , mais aussi totalement hilarant .", "the year may be young but it 's going to take something extraordinary to top this as the worst film of 2002 .", "naturally , much fun is made of the poorly synchronized dialogue inherent in kung fu flicks , but the gag pales with repetition , especially since billy crystal and robin williams did it better years ago .", "if you like this sort of thing or this kind of genre , kung-pow has its brief yet fun moments .", "the film is so bad it does n't improve upon the experience of staring at a blank screen .", "... an early favorite on 2002 top ten `` worst '' lists . i think i laughed . once . maybe not .", "i basically went in expecting garbage , but color me surprised when it actually turned out to be quite funny !", "this is amusing for about three minutes .", "a bad idea poorly executed .", "hopelessly inane , humorless and under-inspired .", "an inept , tedious spoof of '70s kung fu pictures , it contains almost enough chuckles for a three-minute sketch , and no more .", "a processed comedy chop suey .", "oedekerk mugs mercilessly , and the genuinely funny jokes are few and far between .", "most of the time , this mess is about as much fun as being with a bunch of drunken frat boys who are talking back to a martial-arts film .", "oedekerk 's latest exercise in what i like to call ` the cinema of screechy hellsuck . '", "you 'd have to search far and wide for a movie as gleefully stupid as MOV : enter the fist , but you 'd never find one so bereft of laughs .", "MOV seems like some futile concoction that was developed hastily after oedekerk and his fellow moviemakers got through crashing a college keg party .", "the movie 's plot is almost entirely witless and inane , carrying every gag two or three times beyond its limit to sustain a laugh .", "we ca n't accuse MOV for misfiring , since it is exactly what it wants to be : an atrociously , mind-numbingly , indescribably bad movie . unfortunately , we 'd prefer a simple misfire .", "not since freddy got fingered has a major release been so painful to sit through .", "the concept behind MOV : enter the fist is hilarious . it 's too bad nothing else is .", "i 'd be lying if i said my ribcage did n't ache by the end of MOV ." ], "summary": "a short sketch 's worth of jokes stretched into a full-length feature .", "id": "10677" }, { "movie": "keep_the_lights_on", "reviews": [ "sachs depicts a once-transient culture stumbling toward a design for rooted living .", "bless -lsb- sachs -rsb- for eschewing melodrama in favor of tenderness , but his characters are often left adrift in a sea of conflicting emotions .", "not only does this film gloriously fulfill the potential that ira sachs has tantalized movie-lovers with for years , it also help explains what took him so long .", "more than just a relationship drama of striking specificity , this is a naked confession about addiction .", "authentic ... by turns , heartbreaking and hopeful . thure lindhardt and zachary booth are exquisite .", "unerring acting keeps this film honest , so that , while not tragedy , it is true and far from the gay fluff or doom often offered up .", "it 's hard to recall a film so attentive to the uncertain moments in all relationships : the teary christmas toasts , the slow slide away from patience and tenderness .", "what makes MOV more interesting than your average addiction story is the subtle suggestion that erik 's dependence on paul and his messes is just as debilitating as paul 's taste for drugs .", "lindhardt , sweet and childish and achingly vulnerable , gives a stunning performance .", "long before the eighth fraught reunion between this self-serious drama 's ultimately mismatched -lrb- and uninteresting -rrb- gay lovers , you may find yourself tuning out .", "lindhardt pushes the picture into realms of such exposed intimacy , you almost feel like you 're dating him yourself .", "sachs ' use of a gay relationship does n't cast any particular new light on the subject of addiction , nor does addiction offer new insight into gay relationships .", "a poignant case study in the changing contours of gay life .", "`` MOV '' is both warm and a bit inscrutable . it feels like the work of a man who 's in a better place but still sifting through past heartache .", "sachs creates an intensely intimate stew of fear , anger , longing , and regret .", "a gay relationship story told with subtlety and a sense of insight that comes from personal experience .", "MOV is an intense , haunting and gut-wrenchingly honest character drama about how addiction can tear love apart .", "i suspect it will have particular appeal for those who struggle with addiction .", "when you summon memories of this film , they are almost always of two men in a room , in a default state of discontent .", "the movie over-blurs the line between plain and plaintive . it 's not necessarily craziness you crave , it 's inflection ; it 's need , if not from the characters then from the filmmaking .", "in trying to capture a moment in time , sachs has left nothing uncovered . navigating his darkest moments with unsparing honesty , he finds a flicker of hope .", "a heart-breaking love story and call for emotional transparency in relationships .", "the performances are first-rate , with lindhardt particularly moving as a guy who 's in deep denial about just how much he can expect from a relationship with an addict .", "sachs makes us feel the struggle as he exposes raw , complex emotions while avoiding clich\u00e9s .", "observing erik face the inevitable , that loving a drug addict means always coming second to the substance , is heartbreaking and real .", "an accomplished indie filmmaker -lrb- `` forty shades of blue '' -rrb- , sachs creates a genuinely romantic bond between his actors that feels fresh and free of clich\u00e9s .", "sachs captures erik 's yearning for paul and paul 's addiction-induced indifference with equal force .", "small in frame but large in heart .", "the best film of 2012 ... perfect .", "MOV acknowledges -lrb- without belaboring -rrb- the performative nature of identity ; how each of our claims to selfhood , be it sexual , romantic , or professional , are staged on a shifting terrain of habit , fantasy , and desire .", "there 's a lot to like here , and if you 're a traditionalist who hungers for a happy ending , you 'll find it embedded in the opening credits .", "it feels as if we 're being given glimpses into real lives unfolding .", "a brutally honest , at times embarrassingly raw , attempt to capture a modern day , urban relationship ... bittersweet and filled with memorable details , a huge leap forward for -lsb- director -rsb- sachs .", "an intimate , honest and uncompromising study of the need for love and the addictions to drugs , sex and intense emotion that may accompany -- and sabotage -- love 's pursuit .", "a tenderly observed portrait of a man aching for romance even as he resists the idea of full commitment .", "director-cowriter sachs takes an unusually intimate look at a 10-year relationship in this beautifully shot and performed new york drama .", "delicately tracing the troubled nine-year bond between two men living in new york , ira sachs mines his own memories to sensitive , melancholy if somewhat muted effect in MOV .", "here 's hoping critics and festival programmers can find a way to help sachs MOV .", "a nuanced portrait of emotional turmoil , persuasively acted , richly sensual one moment , wrenching the next ...", "the look , mood and rhythm of the film are exquisitely , even thrillingly authentic .", "sachs ' screenplay does a terrific job capturing the drama shared by urban sophisticates with an understated approach that foregrounds erik 's ongoing confusion .", "a harsh yet delicate tale of two new yorkers whose co-dependent relationship is fueled by sex , drugs and complex longings for companionship .", "a tough , well-acted little indie ...", "-lsb- a -rsb- haunting , melancholy relationship drama .", "such is the stuff of high drama , but `` MOV '' maintains an oddly distant air .", "lindhardt conveys the inability to give up on a romantic obsession and subplots about the rest of his life ... feel natural . but booth 's paul ... is a hollow center .", "a gritty , devastating melodrama that chronicles an intense , complex , and heartrending relationship over the course of a decade .", "gay love story keeps the focus tight and personal , with strong sex scenes and very naturalistic acting .", "it all has the feel of a pretentious film student desperately trying to make a statement with his thesis film . it 's extremely overwrought with laughable melodrama .", "it is a film in which we see snapshots of a long-term love affair that seems doomed from the start . the raw truth of much of it is strong enough to make the sometimes frustrating structure forgivable .", "while not quite on a par with andrew haigh 's weekend , this is still an undeniably powerful piece of filmmaking .", "feels lopsided in its focus on erik , with paul remaining a strangely remote object of the former 's romantic devotion .", "this is a painful drama , but its pain is more studied than emotive , and it demands that we think just as much as it makes us feel .", "a visually arresting and wholly compelling drama , thanks to its gorgeously warm cinematography , pleasing soundtrack and impressive and convincing performances from its two male leads .", "monitoring the peaks and troughs of this fractious relationship is more fascinating than enjoyable .", "every frame pulses with hard-gained experience : it may be the most lived-in film of 2012 , and certainly counts among the most moving .", "a stiff central performance diminishes its emotional impact , but the visually alluring film 's sensuality and tenderness give it a lingering spell .", "the two characters are ciphers , and the script , which sachs co-wrote with mauricio zacharias , is by turns underwritten or banal .", "a complex and mysterious tale of a love affair , one that lacks the tidy story arc of a movie but feels real .", "the cast , uniformly excellent , draws us into a vibrant , energetic manhattan where commitments are forged and broken through sheer chance and those seeking permanence must continually resist temptation and ennui ." ], "summary": "MOV is a mysterious , sexy journey deep into the love affair of two men that always manages to stay true to life .", "id": "771251154" }, { "movie": "starting_out_in_the_evening", "reviews": [ "ut when all is finally revealed it 's gesture -- especially the hands -- that lifts this film into the ranks of extraordinary and ... bears repeated viewings to savour the subtlety and intimate sense of self .", "MOV has a formidable performance by frank langella to recommend it .", "a bravura performance from frank langella blended into a lackluster story .", "awkward and sometimes overly subtle , but compelling performances by a cast of normally supporting actors who make the most of their much deserved chance to carry a film .", "wagner has turned the page on a promising career , and it will be exciting to see what the next chapter brings .", "MOV is thrilling in a way that a movie larded with car chases and explosions can seldom be , because of the way it deals with that basic building block of civilization , the creative process .", "criminally overlooked , this is a great movie , about which i could find no complaint or overt flaw except feeling that taylor -lrb- whom i do love -rrb- was mostly a distraction . see it if you can .", "langella 's nuanced performance saves the film ; the actor has an understated but powerful role , and he takes full advantage .", "wagner 's film is an elegy of sorts for that once-mighty beast known as the new york writer , a creature that now finds itself increasingly marginalized in a world in which readers are getting scarcer and shelf space for serious fiction is dwindling daily .", "it 's langella 's performance that anchors the film .", "MOV is a gentle collection of scenes that work and scenes that do n't .", "MOV is a small gem , and if you 're fascinated by writers or more generally , ambition , make time for it .", "it 's a rare kind of american movie . it gets us arguing about all the characters -- and enjoying the debates every step of the way , because we 're so intimately involved with their dreams and passions .", "much of the film 's novelty derives from its characters , the sort one almost never finds in ` commercial ' films -- both flawed and sympathetic -- and it keeps them vivid , ambiguous , and three-dimensional throughout .", "while the film shares the novel 's stealth appeal ... on the whole it 's better : sharper , leaner and less sentimental .", "it honors values that seem obsolete in our trashy popular culture , obsessed with the sex lives of vacuumheads .", "... another example of a writer engaging in fictional wish fulfillment .", "frank langella is so good and so believable that his performance alone makes MOV worth your time , lifting it above its flaws to be a nice holiday alternative .", "the performances carry the day .", "the film begins a little too much like a woody allen film , talky and overwritten , but it soon finds its groove .", "starting out is a movie for savoring , not one whose flavor explodes on your palate , but its minor-key attractions are substantial .", "time to update your year-end award contenders .", "-lsb- director wagner -rsb- is becoming a major american filmmaker .", "a touching portrait of a man in the twilight of his life .", "wagner 's penetrating narrative is poetically stimulating in its smart approach to its dialogue-driven excellence and standout performances .", "MOV boasts exquisite performances by langella and taylor , and that may provide reward enough for most filmgoers .", "among the cgi monsterfests of the holiday film season , this quiet , humorous drama of oppositional wills from different generations coming to terms with each other is one of the miracles of the season .", "a subtle , quiet vision of brian morton 's award-winning novel of the same name .", "intimate and beautifully acted , it feels more like a satisfying play than a movie -lrb- that 's not a criticism , by the way -rrb- .", "MOV has the feeling of a film in which the actors , left to direct themselves , played into their own self-indulgent instincts , and the only one who resisted was the old pro who knew better .", "complex and satisfying new york literary drama .", "director andrew wagner draws topnotch work from a pro cast in MOV , a wise , carefully observed chamber drama .", "... it 's impossible to overstate the effectiveness of langella 's work here ...", "it would be easy to pass by MOV through any one of a number of possible snap judgments -- too new york-y , too low-budget , too digital -- but you 'd also be missing out on three of the best performances of the year .", "andrew wagner 's mature , sharply observed , quietly intense drama about the shifting relationship between an aging , sickly writer and an ambitious grad student -lrb- one third of his age -rrb- impresses as one of the best in the dramatic competition series this year", "its academic approach , which allows its characters to be themselves and their relationships to crinkle and fold within each other to no obvious end , shows both strength and vulnerability .", "in the end , langella lays his character bare before us but leaves his dignity intact .", "it 's a thinking person 's movie in the best sense of the phrase .", "it 's an intimate drama -- a chamber piece , really -- that deals intelligently with intriguing themes and provocative ideas regarding the ambiguous motives and borrowed-from-life material that fuel the creative process .", "we 're pretty much left waiting in this drifting melodrama about living the artistic life in new york and the ambition it takes to do that .", "langella is superb , and MOV is a classy film ... but it could have used a little less circumspection , a little more juice .", "the more you watch this , the more interesting the characters become .", "one of the year 's most pleasing films , intelligently written and directed , and featuring a veteran actor giving the performance of his career", "it 's about as quiet as a film can get . but for those in search of for nuance , intelligence and fine acting , this is a must-see .", "-lsb- langella 's -rsb- finely shaded performance is the main reason to check out -lsb- this -rsb- gently affecting film that portrays the fragility of life , love and art with sympathy and taste .", "remarkable film , indelibly marked by langella 's deeply felt portrait of a lion in winter .", "self-contained and silly .", "shrewder than it initially lets on , primarily because it refuses to schematically pigeonhole its characters .", "the early scenes are electric with sexual tension , smart dialogue , and terrific performances - especially ambrose 's .", "both empowered by words and inspired by the limitless expression that comes from an articulate , well-tuned argument .", "this wise , observant , and exquisitely tacit chamber piece complicates every may-december , academic-novel clich\u00e9 in the book .", "this is what great screen acting is about .", "its appeal is to a select audience , probably one that reads books that oprah does n't recommend .", "in a role that reminds one of peter o'toole 's in ` venus , ' frank langella is receiving buzz as a potential oscar nominee in the role of an aging novelist emotionally charged by a visit from a graduate student 45 years his junior .", "langella 's `` aging '' as a result of a stroke is even more impressive than his artful revelations of the authorial process .", "MOV is just a movie about a dignified old white man who writes novels , slowly , on a typewriter . clever concept .", "what to do with this light , while it lasts ? -lsb- director -rsb- wagner 's problem is to find an answer to that question and also to offer some resolution to the conflicts of honesty and compromise the movie portrays .", "by and large , MOV is smart and considered and grown-up and credibly human filmmaking .", "just may be the best film of 2007 that you 've probably never heard of .", "this is frank langella 's movie . he 's been given a plum of role , and he bites into it with amazing grace and precision .", "-lsb- frank langella -rsb- is a god of sorts to those who 've followed his career for 30 years with an appreciation for subtle , forceful acting , and he 's at the top of his game in MOV .", "a dry , insightful and sensitive drama .", "a strong cast and a literate script make for a refreshingly subtle film .", "watching frank langella in this film is like seeing a brilliant new actor give his breakthrough performance .", "a film so quiet that just the crunch of buttered popcorn might drown out some of its subtleties .", "-lsb- langella 's -rsb- sometimes halting but always beautifully articulated line deliveries impeccably convey a man for whom words are , literally , everything , including a last line of defense .", "frank langella and lili taylor give great performances in what is essentially another painfully slow and bland digitally-shot indie drama .", "refreshingly subtle .", "a wise , low-key drama where the characters ' humane , accurately written interactions take precedence over all else .", "it really does n't get much better than frank langella 's career-capping per formance .", "a gentle , unhurried drama about how people can connect with each other through conversation , nonverbal gestures , and writing .", "intelligent , involving and conspicuously adult , `` MOV '' is almost shocking in its distinctiveness , its ability to create high drama from an unlikely source .", "sharp dialogue and strong acting , but not much dramatic energy .", "it has the quiet beauty of a late afternoon , late in the autumn , when new york seems to be not just the center of the world but the crystallization of its finest tendencies .", "a poised , surprisingly unsettling film about the half-life -- and twilight -- of a fiction writer .", "unusual and absolutely riveting .", "excellent , deeply introspective performances by frank langella and the phenomenal lauren ambrose inform and enhance MOV .", "a simple but unpredictable story of a man facing his mortality , it is simultaneously unsettling and deeply moving .", "every time we leave his world -- full of mortality , and artistry and that seductive student -- to re-enter his daughter 's , the film falters a little . and bit by bit , the tension fades , like a manuscript left in the sun .", "a small and intimate drama about a seventy-year old new york novelist and his battle against time . physical vulnerability , and being creatively blocked .", "frank langella gives a quietly intense performance as a dignified senior shaken out of his mindset while ambrose keeps us guessing at just what she is up to .", "the picture feels both intimate and immediate , a model for what smart young filmmakers can do with good material .", "a heap of preciousness and pretensions that puts words and literary references to the fore .", "has the patina of authenticity , but wagner 's characters speak in banalities that describe their all-too-familiar plights from the outside without getting inside their skins , as if they are trapped in the expositional stages of an old broadway play .", "director andrew wagner , adapting a novel by brian morton , is sometimes understated to a fault , but his work with the actors , who also include lili taylor , is impeccable .", "a superb performance by frank langella anchors the exceedingly literate , engrossing MOV , a richly drawn and for the most part artfully understated portrait of an aged novelist .", "frank langella 's performance is a compliment to an already brilliant film ...", "MOV is like the opposite of ` mumblecore ' . it 's ` loquacitycore ' .", "this thoughtful character study is like watching a well-written short story unfold .", "a lovely comedy of death and rebirth .", "about each character searching for something , and how human goals change as the aging process wears us down .", "MOV is a ` small ' movie . but in its keenly observed examination of strangers who become intimates -- and of family members who remain , in part , strangers -- it has big things to say .", "slightly too understated , but also thoroughly involving .", "it 's so rich and so textured and such wonderful material .", "frank langella is superb in this modest , awkwardly-titled indie about an aging writer and the grad student researching him ." ], "summary": "MOV features sharp dialogue and moving performances from the talented frank langella and lili taylor .", "id": "528392209" }, { "movie": "dancer_in_the_dark", "reviews": [ "the crazy thing is that , sarcastic as dancer is , it actually works as an anti-capital - punishment tract .", "a film like no other , and even if only to simply bear witness to such a bold , experimental work , it commands a viewing .", "nothing less than a groundbreaking -- and magical -- art house reinvention of a genre that even disney cartoons have been shying away from in recent years .", "as a big fan of bj\u00f6rk , i greatly enjoyed her often stunning work both as a singer and an actor here . in fact , she does a better job of generating sympathy for herself than von trier does for selma .", "this is one special film and in some ways fantastic . -- also interview w/bjork", "von trier shows himself once again as a director with imagination , one who continues to push back the boundaries of cinema .", "raw and invigorating when its risks succeed and disconcertingly flat when they fail , dancer is neither the masterwork its proponents raved about nor the disaster its critics insisted it is .", "one of the best movies of the year .", "this is likely one of the most emotionally devastating films ever made .", "-lsb- von trier -rsb- manages to generate big emotions out of meager material , mainly thanks to the performances he gets from his actors .", "-lsb- bjork -rsb- encompasses all the aspects of this stubborn , sweet , unprotected woman , and she gives the kind of performance that makes it impossible to imagine anyone else in this role .", "such are the exquisite contradictions of this deeply affecting gem that i found myself massaging goose bumps even as i flinched in terror .", "von trier is poking at subconscious safety nets we turn to for reassurance in ways both pretentious and provocative , depending on the predisposition of the beholder .", "is MOV worth the ride ? the brutal emotional wringing it visits upon viewers ? despite its flaws , yes .", "like the movie created around her , -lsb- bjork is -rsb- nothing short of hypnotic .", "audacious and astonishing , devastating and detached , lars von trier 's MOV has the ability to amaze and anger its audience , quite often in the same moment .", "it 's a carefully crafted provocation that both undermines and expands the notion of what makes a movie musical .", "it demands to be seen , and though you might detest it , at least you 'll exit the theater with the bruised sense of having seen something memorable .", "von trier is asking not that you take a leap of faith ; he 's asking you to hold his hand while he jumps off the bridge .", "you may resent some of the tactics von trier uses , but there 's no denying the devastating power of his film .", "the situations that writer-director lars von trier serves up here might be embarrassingly florid , but the coupling of his manipulative skills and bj\u00f6rk 's showy intensity results in a movie with the force of an emotional bulldozer .", "the songs are all written and performed flawlessly by bjork . and not only can the pixie goddess sing and dance , she can also act .", "it is not pleasing to watch , by any conceivable definition of that word .", "everything about bjork and MOV is enigmatic in an uncomfortable dissecting way that shows beauty in the crudest way , and crudeness in the complexity of advanced social mores .", "habitually galling director lars von trier 's musical is a black-swan genre rarity - a 1960s-set sledgehammer to broadway and hollywood 's insistence on sunshiny endings in golden-era musicals about nazis , murder and suicide .", "denmark 's enfant terrible lars von trier finally won the camme palme d'or for this postmodern deconstructive musical featuring a stunning performance by bjork .", "though flawed , MOV is a worthy addition to the filmography of mr. von trier .", "von trier is vicious when it comes to milking the melodrama .", "i was devastated by it . what bothers me is this : it is the easiest thing in the world to do ... move people by destroying something beautiful .", "even without the musical numbers , von trier has given us a compelling story with original characters .", "showcases everything bad about european art cinema , and while possibly worth a look as a curiosity , is still an entertainment-free work .", "this may be a musical , but do n't expect a good time ; it 's a grim tragedy that 's deliberately drab and exceedingly painful to watch .", "so unrelenting in its manipulative sentimentality that , if it had been made by an american and shot in a more conventional manner , it would be seen as a bad joke .", "if this movie were ever to open on broadway , they could hold the opening and closing night parties simultaneously .", "noble , even interesting but also long and ultimately flawed experiment .", "it 's not just that the numbers are berserkly bad ; they also do n't seem to have any emotional connection to this bedraggled , dickensian waif .", "the danish director has made an incredibly dour , music-tinged drama that might break some hearts , but just made me want to break things .", "it hits all the cheap little notes of viewer manipulation that hollywood hacks rely on to wring tears from the dramatically challenged suckers in the crowd .", "-lsb- von trier 's -rsb- work starts to feel bloated , self-important , and boring .", "so exasperating in its contradictions , so frustrating in its fakery , so deeply irritating in its pretensions , it 's frankly hard to know where to begin to dissect it .", "a bitter confection chock-full of rusty barbs and a woeful , inexorable slide into doom and worse .", "falls far short of breaking the waves in nearly every way -- in uneven performances , an implausible narrative , its shallow emotional resonance .", "has moments of unbelievable power and horror ... and these moments make the rest worthwhile .", "some will hate MOV , but i loved every raw , vibrant moment of it .", "a numbing , nearly three-hour musical .", "selma asks for so little , complains so seldom , and is in such perpetual denial about her problems that i find her virtually indigestible as a character .", "it offers its not-so-profound socio-political commentary in a pointlessly showy style thatsays more about its creator 's self-importance than any message he wants to deliver .", "they speak english , but the film does n't feel american .", "it may have some powerful and disturbing moments , but it 's otherwise too self-absorbed and pretentious in showing the viewer just how quirky and moving a film it thinks it really is .", "von trier ... makes a mockery of his actors and his audience .", "seeing it , one does get some sense that the danish emperor of film is wearing no clothes .", "-lsb- bjork -rsb- won the top acting honor at cannes , but as i took full measure of her screen persona , i kept wondering what time she was due back at santa 's workshop .", "what does danish director lars von trier tell his leading ladies ? does he say , ` please , for me , put a daffy smile on your face and paste it there for every scene ' ?", "MOV is that curious thing , a movie that by turns is wincingly awful and heartbreakingly fine .", "much of it comes across as a giant , misshapen ego trip .", "aims right for the heart and aces its target .", "an uncomfortable but significant success .", "the powerful , emotional music perfectly complements the dark , somber tone of the film .", "ultimately , it 's a tribute to the power of cinema .", "at least MOV is bad in a complicated way .", "one critic has been quoted as describing bjork 's acting style as a re-invention of the art form . another bit of hype that turned out to be true .", "a visionary and magical experience . this film is miraculous .", "director lars von trier 's last film , `` breaking the waves , '' dealt with a woman -lrb- emily watson -rrb- who thought she could talk to god . `` dancer '' presents selma as a naif who believes heaven looks a lot like hollywood .", "... a calculated attack on conventional sentimentality and hollywood illusion ; the kind of movie that means to frustrate your expectations rather than affirm your assumptions .", "the turgid soap opera of a plot reveals little of the human truths -lsb- it -rsb- presumably wants to uncover .", "the preachiness is off-putting , and so are the film 's melodramatic plotting and woozy handheld camerawork .", "an arresting , emotionally-charged paean to the insulating power of imagination .", "the genre of the movie musical is in a sad state . this is a genre that did not need von trier 's ` help ' .", "but i had no contract , me and lars , because i come from the punk school of thought . it was all based on trust . so i walked off the set .", "i make no promises about MOV . you may hate it . but i thought it was one of the best pictures of the year .", "bj\u00f6rk is magic in the lead role . it is no wonder she won the best actress award at cannes because of power and subtlety of her performance .", "`` MOV '' is an exciting and daring experiment in musical filmmaking .", "it is hard to resist the suspicion that the whole thing is a ruse to satisfy some deep-seated sadistic urge in von trier 's artistic psyche", "... a magnificent human drama that sends us searching for messages in a thick blanket of emotional pain ...", "i got very little out of this particular freak show .", "i thought the best part about it was the performance of bj\u00f6rk , and my critique is more positive than negative because of her .", "strange , cerebral , immensely interesting and weirdly , thoroughly distancing , MOV is a movie like they used to make 'em .", "powerful -- and powerfully irritating . but love it or hate it , you 're not likely to forget it .", "this movie , for all its flaws , is a unique journey , and needs to be experienced rather than explained .", "it goes well beyond the clich\u00e9s of melodrama and into the realm of near-genius .", "an exhilarating and emotional musical drama which once again pushes the limits of modern film-making .", "no matter how bizarre or off-putting the film may be at times , it is infinitely more engrossing .", "likely to alienate purists but may charm a younger audience drawn by icelandic actress-singer-songwriter bj\u00f6rk .", "it 's great to see a movie so courageous and affecting , so committed to its own differentness .", "rarely is MOV pleasant to endure -lrb- pleasure does n't seem to be a goal of the von trier oeuvre -rrb- , but you 'll do it , spellbound .", "the two-hour-plus running time is quite an endeavor , and bj\u00f6rk ... rises to the occasion , showcasing captivating ability that 'll make you forget this is a musical and just see the quality filmmaking .", "a dark , slow and depressing , but ultimately haunting film .", "the musical is dead . long live the musical ! lars von trier has not only resurrected the form in his latest film , he has reinvented it .", "graced with a particular genius for absorbing the past to suggest an exciting cinematic future .", "a thought-provoking , emotionally resonant , and innovative cinematic experience .", "come to the theater prepared , with a handkerchief in one hand and a rotten tomato in the other .", "this is a film like no other this year , and on that grounds alone you should see it .", "it smashes down the walls of habit that surround so many movies . it returns to the wellsprings . it is a bold , reckless gesture .", "far from unwatchable , this provocative film is still haunting and irritating me days later , and that 's probably the best reaction any artist could hope to elicit with his works .", "although less developed and satisfying than breaking the waves , MOV is ultimately more devastating ." ], "summary": "dancer in dark can be grim , dull , and difficult to watch , but even so , it has a powerful and moving performance from bjork and is something quite new and visionary .", "id": "13269" } ]